College of the Muscogee Nation

20th Anniversary Highlights CMN Employee: Levi Payne Levi Payne, the Lead Security Officer for the College of the Muscogee Nation has been serving in the College Security Department since 2012. Levi is known throughout the campus by students, faculty and staff for his friendliness and professionalism. As the head of security, he works to maintain a safe and secure campus so that students on campus, have a positive learning environment. Mr. Payne resides near Boynton, Oklahoma with his 4 children, spending time with family, friends, church family, and working his homestead. Everyone knows Levi as someone who serves his community, and the new things he learns, he is always willing to share with others. As a person who is constantly learning, in 2020, he earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Homeland Security and a certificate in Emergency Management from Northeastern State University. Mr. Payne has always been thankful for his experience at CMN, which is reflected in his kind and pleasant personality. Employed with the Tribal College for 12 years, he is grateful for the knowledge, wisdom, professionalism, and support that has been shared with him. Over the years, he has been inspired by the many CMN students who have begun and completed their academic journey, through all the difficult circumstances that may arise for them, and go on to be leaders and difference makers in this world. Levi lets his officers know, “remember to always try, never give up, and be willing to grow in all areas of life, and as an individual.” Quote: "Success is not measured by financial gain, but by the person you become along the way." -Levi Payne

20th Anniversary Highlights CMN Employee: Levi Payne Levi Payne, the Lead Security Officer for the College of the Muscogee Nation has been serving in the College Security Department since 2012. Levi is known throughout the campus by students, faculty and staff for his friendliness and professionalism. As the head of security, he works to maintain a safe and secure campus so that students on campus, have a positive learning environment. Mr. Payne resides near Boynton, Oklahoma with his 4 children, spending time with family, friends, church family, and working his homestead. Everyone knows Levi as someone who serves his community, and the new things he learns, he is always willing to share with others. As a person who is constantly learning, in 2020, he earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Homeland Security and a certificate in Emergency Management from Northeastern State University. Mr. Payne has always been thankful for his experience at CMN, which is reflected in his kind and pleasant personality. Employed with the Tribal College for 12 years, he is grateful for the knowledge, wisdom, professionalism, and support that has been shared with him. Over the years, he has been inspired by the many CMN students who have begun and completed their academic journey, through all the difficult circumstances that may arise for them, and go on to be leaders and difference makers in this world. Levi lets his officers know, “remember to always try, never give up, and be willing to grow in all areas of life, and as an individual.” Quote: "Success is not measured by financial gain, but by the person you become along the way." -Levi Payne

20th Anniversary Highlights CMN Alumni: Maleah Dowling Hesci, Maleah Dowling is a CMN 2020 alumni who started out, uncertain about what she wanted to do in the future. When she finally decided to enroll at CMN, the staff, instructors and her peers helped her to find her place. She became a member of the Student Senate and Tribal Leadership Circle. Through her studies, she found a passion for Tribal social work. In addition, while at CMN, she made many friends, some she considers to be lifelong and family. As a college graduate, she now appreciates her experiences on campus and has much respect for the college and its progression and growth. She hopes one day that the College of the Muscogee Nation will obtain a full time Tribal Social Work Program because of the need for more front-line professionals to help our brothers, sisters, cousins, and others in need to succeed. Maleah graduated in May of 2024, from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in social work and is now pursuing her master’s degree in social work at the OU-Tulsa campus. While at CMN, she met and married her best friend and they currently live in Okmulgee, OK, where her daughter attends Okmulgee Public Schools. Maleah is a citizen of the Muscogee Nation, and her ceremonial grounds are Weogufkee and Nuyaka. She is now employed as an Outreach Specialist with the Muscogee Creek Nation Children and Family Services Foster Care Department. Mrs. Dowling has expressed that she is very thankful and humble to have started her journey at her Nation’s accredited college. She hopes to inspire more people to walk the path of Tribal social work because it is needed and extremely rewarding when you see the work you put in, to achieve results, that change the trajectory of people’s lives. Quote: “MVTO, CMN for giving me the platform to change my life and future. I am now and forever will be a CMN Raven. Fly high birdies!” - Maleah Dowling

#CMNRavens #IndigenousSTEM #AIHEC #1994TribalLand

CMN's Criminal Justice Instructor and Women’s basketball coach, Cheryl Najera, was appointed to the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) National Athletic Commission. The Athletic Commission was established in 2003 for the purpose of formalizing and governing AIHEC athletic events. The Athletic Commission is a subcommittee which reports to, and derives their authority, structure, and rulings from, the AIHEC Student Activities Committee which reports to the AIHEC Board of Directors. The role and responsibility of the Athletic Commission is to promote and develop athletics as an important component of Tribal College and University holistic education. To serve as overseers of AIHEC-sponsored athletic events including the enforcement of AIHEC policies, procedures, rules, and regulations and the resolution of any challenged decisions. To encourage, through standardized guidelines and codes of conduct, sound ethics and good sportspersonship as the cornerstone to a strong athletic program and an accomplished AIHEC athlete and scholar. And, to enforce gender equality wherever absent to broaden opportunities and increase participation. Cheryl will serve a four-year term beginning in January 2025, Heremahe!!

Mvskoke Media and the College of the Muscogee Nation Extension Program present the Mvskoke Gardening series. CMN Extension Educator Courtney Natseway shares gardening tips in episodes 7-9. The CMN Extension Program provides informational workshops that are open to the public in the CMN community garden every Thursday from 11 AM to 12 PM CST during the growing season. The garden is located on the campus of the College of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Episode 7: https://lnkd.in/gXpsYPNw Episode 8: https://lnkd.in/gxZFk7hK Episode 9: https://lnkd.in/gWciCqbp

Mvskoke Media and the College of the Muscogee Nation Extension Program present the Mvskoke Gardening series. CMN Extension Educator Courtney Natseway shares gardening tips in episodes 4-6. The CMN Extension Program provides informational workshops that are open to the public in the CMN community garden every Thursday from 11 AM to 12 PM CST during the growing season. The garden is located on the campus of the College of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Episode 4: https://lnkd.in/gXvTPGdW Episode 5: https://lnkd.in/gixnkrPg Episode 6: https://lnkd.in/gV3bbmzd

Mvskoke Media and the College of the Muscogee Nation Extension Program present the Mvskoke Gardening series. CMN Extension Educator Courtney Natseway shares gardening tips in episodes 1-3. The CMN Extension Program provides informational workshops that are open to the public in the CMN community garden every Thursday from 11 AM to 12 PM CST during the growing season. The garden is located on the campus of the College of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Episode 3: https://lnkd.in/gUyTnQ3M Episode 2: https://lnkd.in/g6chkC4c Episode 1: https://lnkd.in/gD3byK65

#CMNRavens #IndigenousSTEM #OKEPSCoR #1994TribalLand

#CMNRavens Book reading and signing with Rebecca Nagle, open to the public.