Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet

Cassandra Manuelito-Kerkvliet is an American academic administrator.

Education

Manuelito-Kerkvliet was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming. Her Navajo family is from Tohatchi and Naschitti, New Mexico. Her parents moved to Wyoming to as part of the Indian Relocation Act of 1956 to work for the Union Pacific Railroad. Manuelito-Kerkvlie was born into the Towering House clan, born for the Salt clan while her maternal and paternal grandfathers were in the Mud and Weaver clans respectively. She is the great-great grand daughter of Navajo Chief Manuelito. She experienced racism and a "redneck mentality" growing up in a predominately white community in the 1960s. She completed a bachelor's degree in social work and a master's degree in counselor education from University of Wyoming. She completed a doctorate in educational policy and management from University of Oregon.

Career

Manuelito-Kerkvliet worked in student services and counseling at University of Oregon, University of Wyoming, New Mexico State University, and University of New Mexico. At Oregon State University, she founded and directed the Indian Education Office. She served as president of Diné College from 2000 to 2003. On April 1, 2003, R. C. Gorman donated his personal library to Diné College at Manuelito-Kerkvliet's request. In April 2006, Manuelito-Kerkvliet was selected as president of the Institute of American Indian Arts. She was set to succeed Della Warrior on July 1, 2006. She became president of Antioch University Seattle in July 2007. Her last day was June 30, 2013. She was the first Native American woman to serve as president of an accredited university that was not a Tribal college or university.

Personal life

Manuelito-Kerkvliet enjoys outdoor activities including backpacking, camping, fly fishing, and whitewater rafting. She also knits and is a participant in book clubs.