
The White Earth Tribal and Community College Council of Trustees is pleased to introduce our new President, Terry Janis. Mr. Janis began duties as President on Monday, April 21, 2014.
Terry Janis is Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. He comes to our college after working as the Project Manager for the White Earth Nation Constitution Reform process and eight years as Program Officer at the Indian Land Tenure Foundation in Little Canada, Minnesota. Prior to that, he worked for the Northwest Area Foundation where he helped to design and implement Northwest Area’s rural leadership program, Horizons.
Over the years, Janis has worked extensively on Native American and international indigenous education and human rights issues. Working through organizations such as the University of Arizona, the Indian Law Resource Center, and Northern Arizona University, Terry Janis has consistently combined education and law to work with Indian leaders and students to advocate for indigenous rights.
"It is with great honor and humility that I accept the Presidency of White Earth Tribal and Community College. WETCC is a strong institution with faculty and staff who are highly skilled and committed to providing the best college education for the people of White Earth. There have been struggles in the past year, but I have seen current faculty and staff overcome those struggles and maintain their focus and love for the students and community of White Earth. In the months and years ahead we will build on this strength to make WETCC the strongest tribal and community college in the nation."
Terry Janis holds a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, a master’s in education from Harvard University, and a law degree from the University of Arizona. He has been married to his wife, Olivia, for 28 years and has a 19 year old son.
Please help us all welcome Terry as we continue to dedicate our efforts to educational excellence through provision of a culturally relevant curriculum, in partnership with students, staff, community, and industry.
Terry Janis is Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. He comes to our college after working as the Project Manager for the White Earth Nation Constitution Reform process and eight years as Program Officer at the Indian Land Tenure Foundation in Little Canada, Minnesota. Prior to that, he worked for the Northwest Area Foundation where he helped to design and implement Northwest Area’s rural leadership program, Horizons.
Over the years, Janis has worked extensively on Native American and international indigenous education and human rights issues. Working through organizations such as the University of Arizona, the Indian Law Resource Center, and Northern Arizona University, Terry Janis has consistently combined education and law to work with Indian leaders and students to advocate for indigenous rights.
"It is with great honor and humility that I accept the Presidency of White Earth Tribal and Community College. WETCC is a strong institution with faculty and staff who are highly skilled and committed to providing the best college education for the people of White Earth. There have been struggles in the past year, but I have seen current faculty and staff overcome those struggles and maintain their focus and love for the students and community of White Earth. In the months and years ahead we will build on this strength to make WETCC the strongest tribal and community college in the nation."
Terry Janis holds a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College, a master’s in education from Harvard University, and a law degree from the University of Arizona. He has been married to his wife, Olivia, for 28 years and has a 19 year old son.
Please help us all welcome Terry as we continue to dedicate our efforts to educational excellence through provision of a culturally relevant curriculum, in partnership with students, staff, community, and industry.