Western Carolina University Cherokee Studies Program

05/26/2026

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

05/10/2026

What a pleasure it was to see two-time alumna and former Principal Chief of the EBCI Joyce Dugan receive an honorary doctorate at yesterday's commencement ceremony. Congratulations to all of our graduates and to Dr. Dugan!

05/07/2026

Congratulations to WCU alum Constance Owl (EBCI), who has received a prestigious Cobell Summer Fellowship to support her ongoing work as a Ph.D. student in history at the University of Georgia. Learn more about Constance and her work at the link below.

Western Carolina University Department of History
WCU College of Arts & Sciences
Cherokee Language Program at Western Carolina University

Constance Owl is a Eastern Band of Cherokee citizen and Presidential Fellow PhD student in History at UGA working with Regent’s Professor of History Claudio Saunt. Following her MA from Western Carolina University, Constance took a position in Native American Studies at Stanford. She returned to C...

04/23/2026

We're thrilled that WCU will honor two-time alumna, distinguished educator, and former EBCI Principal Chief Joyce Dugan with an honorary doctorate at this year's commencement. We can think of no one more deserving. Read more at the link below.

https://theonefeather.com/2026/04/23/wcu-to-honor-joyce-dugan-for-decades-of-service-to-education-ebci-wnc/?fbclid=IwY2xjawRXEcFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe8WHplDw26bWYczLvKOKVPLueOUxNnVlHz3kZCaQUBkDusGBOmzDBHVGG0rQ_aem_5oMPb-VRQkJbQDvLpqKqDw

Western Carolina University will award an honorary Doctor of Education to Joyce Conseen Dugan, former Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, in recognition of her leadership, lifelong commitment to education and contributions to the Cherokee people and western North Car...

04/16/2026

Then-Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Ugvwiyuhi (Principal Chief) Richard G. Sneed, WCU Chancellor Dr. Kelli R. Brown, and Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. sign a Memorandum of Agreement regarding the revitalization and preservation of the Cherokee language. The MOA was signed at the beginning of the Kituwah Celebration held at the Kituwah – the Mother Town of the Cherokee - on the evening of Friday, July 23, 2021. (SCOTT MCKIE B.P./One Feather photo)

04/08/2026

We're thrilled to welcome Shalana Yates (EBCI) back to WCU as the new director of the WCU Cherokee Center. Shalana is a WCU alum who brings a wealth of professional experience to the job. Read more about Shalana at the link below. Welcome!

WCU Anth and Soc
EBCI Alumni Western Club
WCU Alumni Association

Western Carolina University has appointed Shalana Yates as director of the Cherokee Center, bringing to the role a strong background in nonprofit operations, tribal government, and leadership.

03/28/2026

Moments from the 2026 Cherokee Studies Summit.

03/27/2026

WCU Spring Social 2026