William Wolf has been appointed the new director for the Center for Native Education (CNE) at Antioch University Seattle.
The goal of CNE is to reduce student drop out rates in high school and to make college the norm for Native peoples within a single generation. Wolf came to Antioch in large part because of his strong belief in the value of education and the mission of CNE. His long-term goal is to establish a Native American high school for talented and gifted Indian students which includes a strong cultural component and integrates accelerated learning techniques.
“I believe education helps students be more successful in all areas of their lives,” Wolf states. “It also improves the quality of life for tribal communities.”
Wolf, a member of the Cheyenne River Sioux, has a passion for early college preparatory programs that was ignited during his first job with Upward Bound in Minnesota. Since those early days, Wolf has held numerous positions including developing a leadership module for 75 Bureau of Indian Education schools and working on a community development project for the American Science and Engineering Society.
Wolf has been active in Indian education for 34 years beginning with membership in the National Indian Education Association. He has worked with K-12 tribal and urban schools, taught at tribal colleges and universities and served as a school board member.
Other responsibilities have included a position as health director for Kodiak Area Native Association, working for the American Indian Society and Engineers and serving as president of Red Road Consulting based in Seattle, WA. Wolf is also a founding board member of Seventh Generation CDC, whose mission is to provide services for Native American veterans and address Indian child welfare, substance abuse and family issues.
Wolf has an M.A. in Public Administration from the University of Washington with an emphasis in Tribal Administration, an M.A. in Education from the University of South Dakota and a B.A. in liberal arts from Mount Mary College.
Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet, president of Antioch University Seattle and a member of the Navajo tribe is pleased that Wolf has taken the leadership role for CNE. “Willie has the depth of experience to build on CNE’s success. I’m impressed with the depth and breadth of his knowledge and ideas, which he will be bringing to each of our early college sites.”
