Joelle Bearstail (Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation)
The December 2019 UTTC “Alum in the Spotlight” is Joelle Bearstail. Joelle (Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation) graduated in 2012 with her Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with an endorsement in Special Education and Early Childhood Education.
Joelle is currently the Education Liaison for the White Shield Segment of the MHA Nation. She was instrumental in the completion of White Shield’s first Child Care Center, is the Executive Director and Founder of ImagiNative Inc., a nonprofit organization for youth, and is publishing her first children’s book in spring 2020. She and her husband John have four children: Parker, Haley, Thomas and Layla.
“My advice is for students to take advantage of what campus life has to offer – clubs, events, trips, family activities and other academic services. These are all there to help you succeed. You have an awesome, tight knit community at UTTC that is supportive and wants you to be successful, so use these programs that are available to you. Also, get to know your Advisor and ask questions. They are there to guide you through your educational experience. You might have to come out of your comfort zone sometimes, but the best experiences we can have come from when we step out of our comfort zones.”