KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — It’s not easy being a public administrator these days, as they are expected to know everything and get blamed for everything that goes wrong.
As Western Michigan University has a curriculum focused on public administration, officials with the school are now adding a new specialty. Dr. Matthew Mingus, the new Director of the School, says they will now be offering a 12-hour graduate certificate on Tribal administration.
“Western Michigan University sets itself apart,” said Mingus. “There is no program like this in this half of the country. Nothing even close.”
He says it’s the next step in the ongoing relationship with The Three Fires Confederacy of Indian Nations.
“We’ve had regular communications with members of the tribal councils, and with their educational representatives, who both help tribal members with general education, but also help all of the various types of tribal employees with continuing educational growth.”
Mingus says as tribal lands are considered their own sovereign territories, with the right to govern themselves, separate from the rules and ordinances of where they may be located, administering that kind of organization takes special knowledge.
The WMU Board approved the new program at their meeting held last week.
Reporting by: John McNeill
