NEWS
NORMAN, OKLA. - Robin Zape-tah-hol-ah Starr Minthorn (Kiowa), professor and chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in the University of Oklahoma Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education, has been elected president of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) — becoming the first Indigenous person to hold this role in the organization’s history.
ASHE is a leading scholarly society dedicated to advancing research and policy in higher education. Its annual conference draws thousands of educators, researchers and policymakers from across the nation, making Minthorn’s leadership a significant moment for representation in the field.
Minthorn’s three-year term began in November 2024 when she assumed the role of president-elect and will continue through November 2027. As president, she will guide the association’s strategic direction, lead board and executive committee meetings, appoint committee members, and oversee planning for ASHE’s annual conference.
In addition to her leadership within ASHE, Minthorn serves as coordinator of Tribal and Indigenous Education Initiatives for the OU Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. In this capacity, she works to strengthen Tribal partnerships, integrate Indigenous perspectives into academic programs, and support Native students throughout their educational journeys. She also provides professional development for faculty to deepen understanding of Tribal communities and their unique needs. She is the co-editor of Indigenous Leadership in Higher Education, Reclaiming Indigenous Research in Higher Education, and Indigenous Motherhood in the Academy.
“Dr. Minthorn’s achievement is significant, not only for Tribal and Indigenous communities but for the entire higher education landscape,” said Stacy Reeder, dean of the OU Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. “Her vision and advocacy will help shape a brighter future for universities nationwide. We are honored to have her leadership recognized at this level.”
“I’m excited to not only be the first person from the University of Oklahoma to serve as the president of ASHE, but the first Native person to serve in this role in the association’s history,” she said. “I’m so grateful for this opportunity, and while I might be the first Indigenous person to serve in this role, I don’t want to be the last.”
Minthorn is an enrolled citizen of the Kiowa Tribe of Oklahoma and a descendant of the Umatilla, Nez Perce, Apache, and Assiniboine Nations.
Learn more about the Association for the Study of Higher Education and the OU Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.
About the University of Oklahoma
Founded in 1890, the University of Oklahoma is a public research university located in Norman, Oklahoma. As the state’s flagship university, OU serves the educational, cultural, economic and health care needs of the state, region and nation. For more information about the university, visit www.ou.edu.
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