Native American Student Organization recognized as exemplar in diversity and inclusion
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—For fostering an inclusive environment and advocating for Native students and Indigenous programming on campus, Western Michigan University’s Native American Student Organization (NASO) is being recognized with the 2025 Excellence in Diversity Award.
Awarded annually at Western’s Fall Award Celebration, the Excellence in Diversity Award is given to individuals or groups who exemplify the importance of diversity and inclusion on campus by fostering inclusive environments and implementing strategies to dismantle systemic inequities as well as increasing recruitment, retention and graduation of diverse students.
“NASO is extremely honored to receive this recognition. It serves as an inspiration to continue the work that we do,” says Jordan Morseau, newly elected NASO president. A senior studying public administration, Morseau also serves on the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi's Land Use Board and Constitutional Review Committee among many other boards and committees. “We bring unique perspectives, benefits and resources to improve WMU and Kalamazoo as a whole. Our focus as Native people has always been on community.”
Nominators highlight NASO’s civic engagement and academic accomplishments in uplifting Indigenous voices and perspectives through cultural and scholarly programming, such as hosting visiting scholar Evan Larson on forest science and Indigenous fire-keeping practices; Lakota musician Frank Waln who has become an artist-in-residence and faculty member; and several experiential workshops to educate campus and community members in cultural and historical arts. NASO also presented Indigijam in spring 2025, a celebration of Native arts, fashion design and music, where students modeled Anishinaabe artist and fashion designer Jillian Waterman’s work.
"The Native American Student Organization has a long history at WMU,” says Dr. Candy McCorkle-Boughton, vice president for diversity and inclusion. “In the past five years, NASO has focused on rebuilding relationships between WMU and our Native and Indigenous communities. It is my hope that in the years to come NASO will play an important role in ensuring that our campus is aware of and embraces our Native American and Indigenous communities."
The student organization has played an active role in working with Dr. Dee Sherwood, NASO’s faculty advisor, to secure external grants to further training and educational programming on campus, most recently working alongside the Native American Affairs Council to help develop an Elders-in-Residence Program at Western.
“NASO students are vital to a campus community where a wide range of differing perspectives can be shared,” says Sherwood. “Native and Indigenous students often carry a strong sense of responsibility to their family and community and a commitment they will use their education to give back and serve others. They’re working with Tribal nations in Southwest Michigan and other RSOs at the University as well as faculty across the University to build a better future for all.”
“NASO students have had the opportunity to showcase to diverse audiences how Native Americans are at home at WMU and how the University is connected to the broader Native community,” writes nominator Dr. Michael Nassaney, professor emeritus of anthropology and member of the Native American Affairs Council.
He adds Western’s Indigenous students find a sense of belonging in NASO and that students who have joined tell him, “they’re proud to be at a university that values their culture, where they can be part of a visionary community of students, and where they find critical support based on NASO’s institutional knowledge and relationships.”
Those relationships extend beyond Southwest Michigan. “WMU NASO celebrated me and my journey as a student even before I stepped onto campus,” says Jonah Necklace, NASO treasurer. Now a Lee Honors College student studying finance, Necklace is a member of the Yankton Sioux nation in South Dakota and attended high school in the Detroit area, far away from his community. “Dr. Sherwood reached out to me over the summer and enthusiastically welcomed me to NASO. After moving here, I’ve been able to connect and develop a strong sense of belonging at WMU.”
Fall Awards Celebration
In addition to the Excellence in Diversity Award, other prestigious awards will be presented at the Fall Awards Celebration on Friday, Oct. 3, including the Distinguished Faculty Scholar, Distinguished Service, Distinguished Teaching, Emerging Scholar, Global Engagement and annual Make a Difference awards. The event begins at 11 a.m. in Kirsch Auditorium of the Fetzer Center.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.