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Department of Education

Citizen Potawatomi Nation offers training and leadership programs and scholarships to help further expand educational opportunities and availability to our Tribal members.

College Partnerships

The CPN strategically partners with select universities to support the educational endeavors of Tribal members.

University Partnerships

Oklahoma Baptist University

Oklahoma Baptist University and Citizen Potawatomi Nation signed a collaborative agreement to provide a corporate online MBA program for CPN tribal members.

Program participants are selected by CPN leadership and screened by OBU.

To accommodate working adults, the MBA is as flexible as possible. Course requirements are completed in a unique 100-percent online environment. OBU faculty supervise, coach, and collaborate with students as they participate in the growth and development of their education.

To learn more about this program, please contact the Oklahoma Baptist University College of Graduate & Professional Studies admissions team at 405-585-4603 or the CPN Education Department at 405-275-3121 or college@potawatomi.org.

Scholarships

The CPN Department of Education now administers the consolidated CPN Tribal Scholarship via a user-friendly, online Education Portal.

The CPN Department of Education will administer the CPN Tribal Scholarship, a consolidated version of what was previously the Tribal Rolls, Housing, and Higher Education Scholarships. The Tribal Scholarship Program provides financial assistance for payment of tuition for Tribal members pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees. Enrolled CPN tribal members who complete the application by the deadline and meet criteria will be eligible to receive up to $2,000 (full-time status) or $750 (part-time status) per semester.

Tribal Scholarship Deadlines

Fall Scholarships

  • Application opens: July 15 at 8 a.m. CT
  • Application closes: Sept. 15 at 5 p.m. CT

Spring Scholarships

  • Application opens: Nov. 15 at 8 a.m. CT
  • Application closes: Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. CT

Summer Scholarships

  • Application opens: March 15 at 8 a.m. CT
  • Application closes: June 15 at 5 p.m. CT

Potawatomi Leadership Program

The Potawatomi Leadership Program educates, informs, and encourages qualified Potawatomi students, within the Tribal membership at large, to develop a more accurate perception of the Tribe and its operations.

The Potawatomi Leadership Program provides an opportunity for a group of high-achieving Citizen Potawatomi Nation college students to participate in an annual summer internship. The six-week program educates promising young Tribal members from around the world about CPN’s government, culture, and economic development. At its core, the PLP strives to cultivate talent from within CPN to ensure that younger generations are prepared for a role in the future governance of their Tribe.

Find Out More & Apply Here

Staff

Jejakwi / Like a Crane
Tesia Zientek
(pronounced Tay-sha Zen-teck)
Education Director
Potawatomi Leadership Program Advisor

Education

B.A. in English with a minor in Anthropology from the University of Notre Dame
M.A. in Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies from Stanford University

Interest

Thrift and estate sale shopping for a great vintage find, reading, and spending quality time with her two dogs, Spock and Louie
Matt Higdon
College Advisor

Education

B.A. Secondary Education with a minor in Psychology from East Central University
M.A. in Education from East Central University

Interest

Spending time outdoors, listening/playing music, and acquiring new skills and experiences.
Stephanie Hawk
Internship and Project Coordinator

Education

A.S. Social Work Seminole State College
Enrolled Student at OU pursuing Bachelor’s Degree in Integrative Studies focusing on Social Science
Minor in Restorative Justice

Interest

Traveling, Sunshine, Native American Beadwork, Reading, Crocheting, and Pizza.
Charles Lee III
Senior College Advisor

Education

B.A. in Cinema Studies from the University of Oklahoma

Interest

Spending time with family, learning new recipes, playing video games, and cheering for the St. Louis Cardinals
Sarah Willmett-Whiteman
College Advisor

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration
Minor in Communications

Interest

Spending time with family, crafting, baking desserts, and watching documentaries