Guided by Native scholars and advocates

A nationally recognized leader in education, Dr. Red Shirt-Shaw is known for her visionary thinking, grounded leadership, and deep commitment to Native students and communities. A scholar, speaker, and advocate, she brings cultural clarity and institutional insight to her work, calling for accountability, advancing Indigenous leadership, and guiding young people toward purpose and belonging.

Dr. Red Shirt-Shaw earned her Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development with a focus on Higher Education and a minor in American Indian Studies from the University of Minnesota. In 2021, she was elected to a seven-year term on Harvard University’s Board of Overseers, helping shape the future of one of the world’s most influential academic institutions. Her widely circulated piece, Beyond the Land Acknowledgement: College “Land Back” or Free Tuition for Native Students, reflects her bold, community-rooted approach to systems change.

Her professional experience spans college counseling, admissions, student affairs, and teaching, all guided by a core belief: education must be a space where Native students are seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.

A nationally recognized scholar, historian, filmmaker, and mentor, Dr. Little's work bridges history, higher education, and community transformation. An enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, he was raised between the Denver urban Native community and a small South Dakota town, an experience that informs his commitment to reclaiming Native narratives and mentoring the next generation.

Dr. Little previously served as Director of Native Recruitment & Alumni Engagement at the University of South Dakota, where he rebuilt recruitment strategies and increased Native undergraduate enrollment by 73%. He also served as Program Director for the 7th Gen Summer Program, a college readiness initiative in the Black Hills. He is co-director of the award-winning documentary More Than A Word, which examines the movement to end Native-themed mascots.

Dr. Little is a 2025 Bush Fellow. He earned his Ph.D. in History from the University of Minnesota in 2020.