Brooke Gondara facts for kids

Brookney Beaverheart Claire Boston Gondara is a strong leader and educator from the Northern Cheyenne tribe. She works to help women and minority groups succeed in college and beyond. She is currently an associate dean at Santa Fe Community College. From 2010 to 2011, she was the president of Iḷisaġvik College, which is the only tribal college in Alaska.

In 2005, she made history by becoming the first Northern Cheyenne woman to earn a PhD. This is a very high-level degree in education. Before that, she was the dean of student affairs at Chief Dull Knife College from 2000 to 2003.

Early Life and Education

Brookney Beaverheart Claire Boston was born to Tana Streeter and Monte Boston. Her family is part of the Northern Cheyenne (Tsitsistas/Suhtai) tribe. She left high school before finishing. However, she later earned her GED in Montana in 1990. At that time, she was a single mom. Brookney realized she needed more education and a stable job to support her daughter.

She decided to go to college. She earned her first degree, a bachelor's degree, in 1995. This was in sociology and Native American studies at Montana State University Billings. Her tribe helped her with money for her studies. She then earned a master's degree in education in 1996 from the same university. Brookney Boston married Robbie Gondara in January 1997 in Billings, Montana.

Career Journey

After getting her master's degree, Brookney taught sociology. She also worked as a museum education director at the Western Heritage Center in Billings.

From 2000 to 2003, she was the dean of student affairs at Chief Dull Knife College. This college is on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation. She was the only Native American woman in an administrative role there at the time. In 2003, she faced some challenges and disagreements at the college. Some students even held a protest to support her.

In 2005, Gondara achieved a major milestone. She became the first woman from the Northern Cheyenne tribe to earn a doctoral degree. She completed her PhD in Education at Oregon State University in Portland. Her studies focused on the experiences of Northern Cheyenne women in education. Her doctoral project was about listening to the educational stories of Northern Cheyenne women. She also studied college leadership at Harvard University.

College Leadership

Around 2004, Gondara became the dean of the social sciences division at Portland Community College (PCC). At PCC, she helped create new programs and advised students. In 2010, Gondara was chosen to be the president of Iḷisaġvik College in Alaska. She served there until 2011. After that, she moved to New Mexico. She became an associate dean at Santa Fe Community College. There, she helps with programs in trades, technology, business, and education.

Awards and Recognition

In 2006, the Alumni Association at Montana State University at Billings gave Gondara an 'exceptional contribution award'. This award recognized her amazing work and achievements.

Personal Life

Brookney Gondara has two daughters. In 2005, she lived in Beaverton, Oregon. She now lives in Santa Fe.

See also

• List of women presidents or chancellors of co-ed colleges and universities