Megan Heutmaker is Dakota and has served as a University administrator and faculty member for more than 10 years. Her research and passion focuses on the recruitment and retention efforts for American Indian students in Minnesota and the surrounding Midwest states. She has received Bachelor's degrees in both Anthropology and American Indigenous Studies and a Master's degree in Counseling and Student Personnel, specializing in College Student Affairs. She has provided training and development for corporations, colleges, K-12 schools and community organizations throughout the country.

Dr. Chelsea Mead is an educator and Associate professor in higher education for over 15 years. Areas of specialization include social/cultural anthropology, ethnography, applied anthropology, American history, Indigenous history, oral history and tradition, globally comparative Indigenous studies, Indigenous and community activism, applied linguistics, education policy and practice, museum studies and Indigenous language revitalization and survivance. Supporting Native students in higher education and K-12 has been the center of Dr. Mead's work outside of the classroom. Furthermore, she continues to provide training and leadership for educators and administrators to create more inclusive classroom spaces, especially for Indigenous and American Indian students.

Megan Schnitker is an indigenous entrepreneur, traditional herbalist, wife, mother, sister, and daughter. She was born and raised in Milks Camp of the Sicangu Oyate, and has lived in Mahkato for the last 6 years. Megan is passionate about education and building inclusive classroom spaces for American Indian students, especially for her children, for the future generations of learners in our classrooms.

Alex J. Lucier is a University administrator and doctoral student in higher education administration. Their philosophy for student success—that students can only be their best selves when their environment allows them to flourish—aids in their work with students facing academic barriers. Their areas of research interest include anti-racist student affairs practice, trauma-informed advising, and resilience in students with marginalized identities. Coming from a family from the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa and growing up in schools with robust Indian Education programs, Indigenous worldviews are the bedrock to all the work they do. Their ultimate goal is to create spaces where Indigenous students can live, learn, and grow—all without the barriers that may keep them from achieving success.