Unusual Education Journey

Band Member Voices

Aug 1

By TAWNYA STEWERT, BAND MEMBER

Although I have completed three degrees and am thrilled about my accomplishments, the journey was not always easy. There were struggles, blunders, missteps, and mistakes along the way. I had to start over time and time again and get focused. It wasn't until I got focused and committed that I began seeing and creating the desired outcomes. Once I started and found my jam, nothing could stop me.

Education is a game changer. It grants the opportunities to increase your chances for new possibilities and a way to expand your worldview. Growing up in the city, my early days were filled with drama, drug violence, and many significant emotional events. Yet, reflecting on those early days, it would be fair to say some of us have been dealt a bad hand. Yet, deep inside of me, I realized I wanted and needed something different for my life despite all that was happening around me. But, to make that happen and change the next generation, I would have to make other decisions to change the trajectory of my life.

High School and Undergrad Days

High school was a breeze, and I loved it; moving from a suburban school to an urban school was key. I got involved in just about everything from tennis, student council, snow daze court, newspaper, and yearbook, and graduated with no problem.

Next, college was on the list. The good news was that I wanted to go; the bad news was I did not have much guidance, assistance, or support — no one told me how to navigate it or what to expect once I got there. Unfortunately, I did not take college seriously when I started. I managed to get through a summer program, but things began to fall apart in the fall semester.

I was on my own and had a lot of freedom and no guidance. So I stopped doing homework, skipped class, and started to major in parties and more parties.

At some point, I was called into the office and placed on academic probation. Unfortunately, I didn't understand the implications of not following the academic plan, and soon after that got kicked out of college/dropped out.

Life Lessons — A Girl in Limbo

I started working various jobs and living my best life. A couple of years had passed when I realized many of my friends were graduating while I was answering phones.

The turning point happened during the play "The Piano Lesson" by August Wilson, which explored our ancestors' hiding while learning to read. At that point, I decided it was time to pull it together and return to school.

I went back to the U of Minnesota but had to take night classes while working full-time. Typically, that meant 12-hour days. Go to work, go to night classes, repeat. To complete my degree in 3½ years, I mapped out all the classes I needed to graduate promptly. Planning was an essential step to graduating in three years vs. being in school for 5 – 6 years; I decided I would jump in full throttle and decided to go to summer school and triple my class load.

I was determined to complete my degree, and I did. I was the second person in my family to finish college. Side note, I was feeling motivated and determined, so I took the LSAT and applied to law school; I fumbled through the process and applied to Harvard and Yale but did not get accepted. So, when my company offered a move to Chicago, I went to continue my career in human resources.

Graduate School

Since not getting into law school, I decided to get my master's in human resources from Loyola University, Chicago. So, once again, I was working full-time and going to school at night full-time. Working, personal issues, and buying a house were challenging while trying to finish school. I completed my degree in two years and was fortunate to work for several big companies in Chicago like BP, Exelon, and Accenture, all while in HR. I always knew I wanted to come back and work for my Tribe and would wait for the right time and opportunity. It happened. In 2016, I joined Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures as Chief People and Culture Officer.

MBA School

In 2020, after being out of school for many years, I decided to go back to school for what would be the most challenging degree, an MBA from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. With the support of Mille Lacs Band and Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, I could once again work full-time and go to school every other weekend for the last two years.

I now hold three degrees; two master's degrees and a bachelor's degree. I dedicate these degrees to my mom (RIH), family, and Tribe. I share this story to encourage others to keep going on their journey. I feel fortunate, lucky, and happy to be where I am in my career and position; I always wanted to come and work for my Tribe, and now I have come home. This journey has been over 20 years, and I tried to follow the lessons below to help guide me for each degree.