Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University’s (LCOOU’s) new dean of career and technical education (CTE), Jodee “Zhaawanukwe” Smith, has been using community-based research to develop and secure funding for the university’s CTE department. After taking stock of the current resources at the department’s disposal, she is now addressing its needs through SMART-based plans, which rely on specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound goals.

In outlining the department’s goals, Dean Smith set up continuous conversations with the University of Wisconsin-Madison about research grants; with the University of Wisconsin-Stout about local logistical sustainability studies; with the LCOOU nursing faculty about the emergency medical services (EMS) program; and with local tribal communities about their vocational needs.

“I’ve always been mindful of our tribal needs first and foremost,” says Dean Smith. “I’ve received the community’s collective directives through feasibility studies. Now I’m working with a team of like-minded visionaries to develop our CTE programs in accordance with what those studies tell us.”

Where Dean Smith comes from informs her belief in the necessity for this area of development. Born in Green Bay and raised on the Oneida reservation, she’s Donald Smith’s daughter, who served as the LCO health director for more than 35 years. Her grandparents are Henry and Agnes Smith, who owned a general store in New Post. Henry was also one of LCO’s first tribal chairmen, and Agnes believed so much in the power of education that she was taking college courses in her seventies.

Following in her family’s footsteps, Dean Smith holds a master’s degree in operations and supply chain management that she uses to serve her communities. For example, her previous experiences include working with the Wisconsin Department of Commerce as a certified business plan writer and with Spirit Winds Consulting as a co-founder, helping Native-owned businesses become industry ready.

Her deep-rooted connection to and involvement with the LCO tribe sets her up for being an excellent dean of career and technical education, one who has faith in the community’s ability to enact positive change. As such, her efforts rely on those who support the university’s mission and operations through their continued development and funding of the CTE department.