It may be cliché, but sometimes it’s important to remember that change is inevitable and part of life. After more than 20 years, Rachael Marchbanks, TCJ’s publisher and longest-serving employee, is retiring. We’re happy for Rachael, as she sets her sights on new horizons, but also profoundly sad, as she is like family here at TCJ and in the tribal college movement.

Rachael has spent roughly half her life at TCJ. She began working part-time when she was an undergraduate journalism student at Fort Lewis College. Former editor Marjane Ambler hired her to process subscriptions and help keep the office in order. It had to have been self-evident that Rachael was incredibly detail-oriented, had a head for business, and that when she set her mind to it, could get any job done in a timely and efficient manner. Oh, and she is also a bit of a workaholic! Accordingly, Rachael quickly moved up the ranks at TCJ, first being hired full time to handle advertising and marketing, and later being appointed as publisher when Marjane retired.

Over the years, Rachael helped shape TCJ into the publication—and media organization—that it is today. She increased advertising revenue by over 1,000%, dramatically expanded circulation nationally and internationally, and oversaw the digitization of TCJ’s entire archive, enabling educators, students, and readers to access any article with the click of a mouse. Through it all, she built her own house, served as mayor of Mancos, Colorado, earned a master’s degree, and has raised four kids. Whew.

Those are just a few highlights. It would be impossible to list all her achievements here. To be sure, Rachael’s mark on the journal is indelible, but it’s also important to remember the bigger picture. TCJ is the instrument of AIHEC and the tribal colleges, and as such, Rachael has served the tribal college movement with distinction.

There is another cliché that also rings true—the more things change, the more they stay the same. Over the past 31 years, TCJ has seen staff come and go. We’ve changed our logo, layout, and office building. But in the end, what remains is the story of the tribal colleges. TCJ is and always has been the voice of the tribal college movement. And that is one thing that we can assure you will stay the same.

Ahéhee, readers, for loyally supporting your Tribal College Journal. And ahéhee Rachael for all you have done for us throughout the years. Know that you will be dearly missed.

Sincerely,

Bradley Shreve, PhD

Marvene Tom (Diné)