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Another year of education has come to a close for the College of Menominee Nation. As we celebrate our newest collection of students as they transition into alumni, below you'll find photos from today's events.

As CMN President Dr. Christopher Caldwell stated in a message to staff and faculty today, "Commencement is always that one time when we can reflect and celebrate as an Institution. This is when we can collectively witness the impact of our College and the "heart" work of our mission." We are grateful to our students, staff, and faculty for continuing to allow us to further the mission, vision, and values of the College.

 

The College of Menominee Nation is proud to announce the list of students that will be recognized at this year's Commencement proceedings, slated to begin at 10AM on Friday, May 16th, at the Five Clans Ballroom.

Bachelor's Degree

Bachelor of Science - Business Administration

Darla Asenbrener
Joshua Michael Shawanokasic
Jodi Marie Skenandore

Bachelor of Science - Elementary / Middle School Education

Corinna Ann Charles
Schuylar Davids
Jenna Marie Dehne
Kelsey Kae Kitson
Chloe Allysyn Knope
Cassie Jo Russell
Kayla Lindsay Stefanski

Bachelor of Science - Sustainable Agriculture

Dulce Maria Moeller

Bachelor of Arts - Education

Miranda Leigh Gollnow

Associate Degrees

Business Administration

Jennifer L. Adams
Joshua James Besaw Sr.
Alison L. Corn
Lacy L. Dixon
Sereen Frion
Sky Rebecka Gonzalez
Kenane Hill
Tina M. Roskom
Tabatha Thundercloud

Digital Media

Krysanda Bissonette
Emerald Jules Otradovec

Early Childhood Education

Cedar Marie Fernandez
Celine L. Martin
Jeremiah John Moses, Jr.
Jennifer Evelyn Marie Notinokey
Chemon Alana Rickert
Susan Rose Webster
Dawn M. Wilber

Liberal Studies - Humanities

Virginia Terrio
Chanda Bell
Emerald Jules Otradovec

Liberal Studies - Social Science

Gina Buenrostro
Mallorie Doxtator

Natural Resources

Alexandria Ehlert
William Julius
Jeffrey Vele, Jr.

Public Administration

Technical Diplomas

CNC Machinist

Joseph P. Holsten
Justice Paiser

Electricity

Gabriel Arthur
Ryan R. Fish Jr.
Aptickasic Hawpetoss II
Peter J. Husby
Crystal K. Lyons
Noah S. Mahkimetas-Kurkiewicz
Emilio Alex Menchaca
Wendell J. Penass Jr.
Chad Reiter-Wilber
Deved Alexzander Solenos-House
Shanna Torres
Benjamin A. Waupoose

Welding

Thomas John Ejnik, Jr.
Noah Jay Joseph Tachick

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: dsabin@menominee.edu

College of Menominee Nation Announces
Keynote and Student Speakers for 2025 Commencement

KESHENA, WI – 

The College of Menominee Nation (CMN)

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The College of Menominee Nation is proud and honored to announce its slate of speakers for this year's Commencement proceedings, occurring on May 16th at the Menominee Casino Resort, within the Five Clans Ballroom.

CMN's 2025 Keynote Speaker will be Ernie Stevens, Jr., a prominent leader in the Indian gaming industry. He serves as the chairman and national spokesperson for the Indian Gaming Association (IGA) in Washington, D.C. With an impressive tenure spanning over 24 years, Stevens is currently beginning his thirteenth two-year term, a position he was elected to in 2001 by the members of IGA. His leadership has been instrumental during a pivotal time for the organization, which proudly celebrates its 40th anniversary this year and is one of the foremost advocacy organizations in Indian Country.

Throughout his distinguished career, Stevens has devoted himself to advocating for the positive impacts of Indian gaming, not only on tribal communities but also on neighboring areas. Under his guidance, the IGA has worked tirelessly to educate Congress, the media, and the public, highlighting how Indian gaming serves as a vital economic engine for tribal nations and local economies.  Stevens’ influence extends beyond advocacy; he has been at the forefront of shaping significant policy initiatives designed to protect tribal sovereignty and enhance the viability of the Indian gaming industry.

Chairman Stevens is an enrolled member of the Oneida Nation in Wisconsin. He and his wife Cheryl have been partners for 47 years and married for 43 years. Together, they have five adult children and 20 grandchildren.

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CMN's 2025 Student Speaker will be Joshua Shawanokasic, an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation in Wisconsin. In Mr. Shawanokasic's words, he grew up surrounded by its culture and values while attending Shawano Schools. Sports were a big part of my upbringing—especially golf and basketball—though I’ve had to step back from the court these days. My greatest joy is spending time with my fantastic wife, Larenda, and our three daughters—Lindaya, Lainey, and Lynnae—plus our two dogs, Malakai and Nala.

Being a father is the most fulfilling role in my life. I love watching my girls grow and thrive, especially seeing the same competitive spirit I had as a kid. I'm big on hard work and perseverance, and doing my best to pass those values on to them.

Professionally, I’ve served as a Patrolman with the Shawano Police Department for over nine years. I take pride in upholding state laws and local ordinances. Still, I love connecting with our community through events like National Night Out, Cone with a Cop, Shop with a Cop, or shooting hoops with neighborhood kids while on duty. I've been honored with life-saving awards, commendations for going above and beyond, and I’m a departmental trainer in several areas.

My commitment to service, family, and community is at the heart of everything I do."

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The College's Commencement events will begin on May 16th, 2025, at 10AM. A reception will follow the proceedings at the College's Keshena campus.

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About the College of Menominee Nation
The College of Menominee Nation is a tribal Land Grant college, chartered by the Menominee people. The College's main campus is in Keshena, Wisconsin, with a second located in metropolitan Green Bay, not far from the tribal lands of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin. More information about CMN can be found at www.menominee.edu 

Last week, the College of Menominee Nation was honored to host Senator Tammy Baldwin at our Keshena campus. She spoke with staff, faculty, and staff members of SDI, while also visiting the S. Verna Fowler Academic Library.

We are gladdened to be able to continue our dialogues with state representatives, speaking to the needs of Tribal communities and the unique experience that TCUs offer students.

AIHEC Warns of Potential Impacts on Tribal Colleges as Executive Order Targets Department of Education Closure

Washington, D.C. – The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is deeply concerned about the significant implications of the recent executive order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities,” which instructs the Secretary of Education to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.”

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), along with countless other educational institutions, rely on federal funding administered through the Department of Education. This funding is essential for supporting programs that serve not just American Indian and Alaska Native communities, but low-income, remote, and rural students, as well as other underserved communities.

The Department of Education distributes billions of dollars annually to schools and colleges to support these programs, which includes fulfilling the federal government's trust and treaty obligations to provide education to American Indian and Alaska Native students. Dismantling the Department of Education could severely impact the government's ability to meet these legal and moral commitments to Tribal Nations and their citizens.

Any path forward must prioritize uninterrupted funding for vital education programs. Closing of the department risks creating funding gaps that would disproportionately harm rural and low-income communities. Many TCUs operate in areas where alternative funding sources are scarce, making federal support indispensable.

TCUs are a bold expression of sovereignty, established in the 1960s to address the growing need to preserve our culture, our language, our lands, and our sovereignty. While primarily serving Tribal communities, TCUs are open to students from all backgrounds, providing valuable, locally accessible post-secondary education; any disruption to funding or staffing jeopardizes not only education opportunities but also an economic anchor for jobs and financial security for our most remote communities.

As the Trump administration acknowledged, only an act of Congress can close the Department of Education, highlighting the critical role Congress must play in any decision affecting the department’s future. AIHEC urges policymakers to prioritize a transparent and inclusive process that ensures continuity of funding for all federally supported educational programs. We call on Congress to carefully evaluate the long-term consequences of this decision and to safeguard the future of education for all students.

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About the American Indian Higher Education Consortium:

AIHEC is the collective spirit and unifying voice of our nation’s Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). AIHEC provides leadership and influences public policy on American Indian higher education issues through advocacy, research, and program initiatives; promotes and strengthens indigenous languages, cultures, communities, and tribal nations; and through its unique position, serves member institutions and emerging TCUs.