Southwestern Oklahoma State University

Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College

Phone: 580.774.3139

Fax: 580.774.6255

catc@swosu.edu

Carol Whiteskunk

Whiteskunk

Carol Whiteskunk comes from the Red Moon community on the western edge of Cheyenne and Arapaho Territory.  She left home to attend Haskell Institute, now Haskell Indian Nations University.  She has been employed as Administrative Assistant for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribal College (CATC) since December 2007.  While serving the students and working for the tribal college, she completed her Bachelors degree at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU), as well as being in the first graduating class from CATC.  Her interest in college became visible when she participated in Upward Bound at SWOSU, which opened a window of opportunity for her to see the outside world from a small town perspective.  Carol’s grandfather was a Cheyenne Chief who saw a need for education even though he never received a formal education.  He expanded his traditional tribal leadership role to serve on the tribal Business Committee as a representative from Cheyenne District-4.  In reflecting upon her life Carol said “I ran into many brick walls, but I came through with my goal of earning a college degree.”  She believes that our tribal college offers more classes and associate degrees to further higher education here at home, and that there are people from a diverse environment willing to help Cheyennes and Arapahos preserve their cultures in a contemporary America.