Her Story
About Lisa
Lisa WeaselboyChavez serves as Dean of Students at Stone Child College, her fourth tribal college position, located in her hometown of Rocky Boy, Montana. She began her career path while completing her undergraduate studies at the University of New Mexico, working with SIPI in Albuquerque, then progressed through roles at Little Big Horn College and Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College in Newtown, North Dakota, before arriving at Stone Child College. She holds a master's degree from the University of Arizona and is completing her doctorate at Creighton University. In her role, she oversees a staff of 15 across departments including admissions, registrar, daycare, and grants, managing federal and other funding sources to support student success, retention, and graduation. Her work emphasizes community involvement, Native American student support, and programs such as language preservation and enrollment initiatives through affiliations including the American Indian College Fund.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Lisa
01What do you attribute your success to?
My parents, my grandparents, my husband. They're very encouraging, I have a good team that helps encourage me when I'm feeling like I'm drowning. Sometimes you just need that boost of encouragement from a loving, supportive team, especially family members that see new along the way. And especially my children, of course, I want to be able to be that person to say, well, mom did it, I can do it too.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Don't quit. Don't give up. Keep going, finish what you start. And remember where you come from.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges is not knowing if our grant will be a grant because of the changes in current administration. A lot of our grants are federal grants. So with that, we're unaware that's the downfall of working with community colleges. Sometimes we're unaware of something lagging that's not even though it's been supported, we're not sure if that's going to be the full funding, or do we have to pull from another grant.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity. Being passionate about what you're doing in and out of work. The students in our communities help encourage us. We know where we came from when we were in their shoes. And it's inspiring to see them succeed, because it helps us understand that we did something good. We provided that guide and that guidance for them to succeed, and we wouldn't be here if it wasn't for them. Integrity, being able to care and provide.
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