OKMULGEE, Okla.- The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) and the Tribal Education Initiative in the College of Hospitality at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) signed a Memorandum Of Understanding two years in the making. The institutions have been working together, fostering a relationship to expand CMN students’ access to further education. The signing took place at CMN during a ceremony on June 6.
The MOU will assist students entering Tribal Gaming and Hospitality enterprises. Students who enroll through CMN earning 64 credits will be able to apply to transfer into the UNLV Hospitality Management program to gain their bachelor’s degree. Students will be able to attend classes either on-line or in-person at the UNLV campus. While enrolled at UNLV, they will earn 60 hours in course credits and complete 1000 hours of work and experience in either Tribal or Las Vegas gaming and hospitality.
The Director of Tribal Education of UNLV and Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Tribal Education Initiative Tammi Tiger (Choctaw/Mvskoke/Seminole) shared that it’s one of the most highly-rated hospitality management programs in the world.
“It’s a partnership that is based on shared goals. The UNLV Tribal Education Initiative was established with a grant from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation with the objective of preparing students for management roles within Tribal gaming and hospitality enterprises,” Tiger said. “The College of the Muscogee Nation offers an associate degree in casino gaming and serves a thriving Tribal gaming community in Oklahoma. By working together, we can ensure CMN students transfer seamlessly to UNLV to earn a four-year-degree and beyond,” Tiger said.
Tiger shared that creating a relationship with CMN is rewarding and fulfills the mission of UNLV’s Tribal Education Initiative.
“We set out to partner with Tribes and TCUs across the country to provide educational opportunities that will reach as many as possible. This partnership with CMN will serve as the model moving forward,” Tiger said. “The students will see themselves represented in leadership roles and feel prepared to excel in the hospitality workforce. We want them to know that not only does this industry bolster the economy of their Tribal Nation and surrounding areas, but it supports vital housing, education and healthcare programs.”
“The college values the partnership with CMN. We are truly humbled to be part of a collaboration that has the potential to change the lives and the professional trajectory of so many Native students. Personally, my roots are in this community as a Mvskoke descendant and it brings my heart joy to stand on the shoulders of my family in service to our people,” Tiger said.
For information about CMN, call 918-549-2800 or visit cmn.edu
For information about the UNLV program, contact Tammi Tiger at 702-895-3334 or email Tammi.Tiger@unlv.edu. Information can also be found at https://www.unlv.edu/hospitality/tribal-education-initiative.
