Welcome to HD: HPER Diversity

Faculty Feature - LaDonna BlueEye

Department: Applied Health Science

Ethnicity: Native American - Enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Instructs: C-366 Community Health

Undergrad: University of Central Oklahoma

Masters: University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center

Faculty: University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health

The first language of my mother is Choctaw. At six years of age, she was sent to an Indian Boarding School and forced to speak only English, a difficult language unknown to her. For me, as well as many Native Americans, the concept of school is historically linked to the loss of our language and culture, as well as the involuntary separation of our families. While this story may be unique to my particular culture, the truth is, each of us has a story and history in which we have not been able to fully participate in the educational system. Perhaps this is one reason that recent data shows only 175 American Indian and Alaska Natives earned their Ph.D., compared to 2271 for African Americans and 1353 for Hispanics during the same graduation year.ⁱ For all of us, these numbers are atrocious! For this reason, I have made a commitment through my life and through my actions to serve all students to increase the diversity of our school. The School of HPER has a deep respect for the values of our individual backgrounds and cultures, and provides support in numerous ways to create a supportive environment. I look forward to being a part of your educational choices and success.

Stay well,

LaDonna BlueEye