Agenda

Keynotes & Special Guests

Dr. Carol Cornelis discusses A History in Indigenous Voices: Menominee, HoChunk, Oneida, Stockbridge, and Brothertown Interactions in the Removal Era

What do you know about the Native Nations that share geography with Wisconsin? Did you know that the Menominee and Ho-Chunk Nations of Wisconsin signed land treaties with several Indigenous nations from New York State (the Oneida, Mohican and Brothertown Nations) which resulted in the NY Nations removal to some of their lands here? Why were these Native Nations interested in signing these treaties and what did it mean for their people - then and still today? In her book, Dr. Cornelius has compiled a careful account of these nation-to-nation treaties, in large part in the words of those Indigenous leaders who served as their Nation's voices and representatives. These living documents testify to the complexity and sovereignty of Indigenous governance then and now.

Dr. Cornelius, Oneida Turtle Clan, is from the Oneida, Mohican (Stockbridge) and Montauk (Brothertown) Nations, Ph.D Cornell 1992 and taught at UWGB for three years, and after 15 years retired as Area Manager Oneida Cultural Heritage Department. Since retiring she has taught one course per semester alternating with College of Menominee Nation and UW-Green Bay. She is currently one of the “Oral Tradition Scholars in Residence” at the First Nations Department, UW-Green Bay.  Every other year, she teaches Indigenous Pedagogy for the Doctorate in First Nations Education program.

Her first book was published by State University of New York SUNY Press, in 1999, Iroquois Corn in a Culture-Based Curriculum, A Framework for Respectfully Teaching about Cultures. In 2024, a History in Indigenous Voices was presented with the Book of Merit Award from the Wisconsin Historical Society Board of Curators.

Current Trends in Financial Aid for Indigenous College Students: Is It Enough, And How Can We Do Better? 

Financial aid in the United States is — as we all know—complex. Students and families (and financial aid staff) must navigate numerous systems like FAFSA, state and institutional aid, and private scholarships and grants. Effectively navigating the financial aid landscape is especially important for Native American students and families. There’s a misconception that Native students attend college for free; in reality, many Native students face financial barriers to attending college, including navigating administrative burdens associated with finding and applying for financial aid opportunities.

In June 2023, our team began a national project with a clear objective—document every scholarship, grant and other financial aid program we can find in one website and database, and share that information with as many Native American students and families as we can. In this session, we introduce our upcoming publicly available website, highlight current trends in financial aid for Native American students, and invite attendees to discuss potential uses for the website and data in their professional roles. Participants should walk away with insights and strategies for the next steps in efforts to better support Native students to and through postsecondary education.

Dr. Misti Jeffers is a researcher in the Student Success Through Applied Research (SSTAR) Lab at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She conducts applied research with the objective of identifying policies and programs that increase equitable advancement along education and career pathways, especially for rural, first-generation, and marginalized students. Originally from rural Appalachian Tennessee, Misti earned her PhD in Social Policy from Brandeis University, MA in Child Study & Human Development from Tufts University, and BS in Psychology and Human Services from East Tennessee State University, where she was a McNair Scholar. Outside of academia, Misti loves walking dogs and reading too much dystopian fiction.

Dr. Gresham Collom is an assistant professor in the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development at the University of Minnesota. He holds a BA in criminal justice from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire; an MS in education from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; and a PhD in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Tennessee. His research interests include Indigenous communities and Tribal education policies, higher education finance, economics, and governance, and education policy analysis. His scholarship is informed by his experiences as a first-descendent of Wisconsin’s Stockbridge Munsee Mohican Tribe and a first-generation student. Outside of work, Gresham can be found hiking with his partner Britta (who is a proud two-time graduate of UW-Whitewater) and their three dogs (Rocket, Dewey, and Loki), reading fantasy/sci-fi, or rooting on the Packers (GO PACK GO!).  

MASFAA State Exchange - Sam Selvage

Sam Selvage is the current President of OASFAA (Ohio) and the Assistant Director of Financial Aid Processing at Franklin University in Columbus, OH.

Preconference - Student Aid Index Calculations - Takes Two
Wednesday, March 26. 8:30 a.m. - Noon.

Interest Session - SAI Basics
TBA

NASFAA Representative - Heidi Carl

Heidi is a familiar MASFAA face, but gets to join us this year in her capacity as NASFAA Chair-Elect. She is currently the Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of Financial Aid at Purdue University in Indiana.

Interest Session - NASFAA's Career Path Awareness Thought Force
TBA

NASFAA Update
Friday, March 28. 10:30 - 11 a.m.