Osiyo! My name is Cornelia Vann—I am 4/4 Cherokee and a proud, enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. As a non-traditional, first-generation college student, I raised a family first before starting on my endeavor to achieve a higher education. I realize that having a college education is very important in order to help with the many social issues that we as a people face in daily life.
In May of 2017, I earned an Associate of Arts degree in Sociology from OCCC. I am currently a student at The
University of Oklahoma majoring in Native American Studies with and minoring in Sociology. I want to use my college education to encourage others like me that, yes, it is possible to achieve the awesome goal of graduating from college. Some of the wonderful achievements and opportunities that I have had thus far as a college student include being named to the President’s Honor Roll, Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, Civic Honors, the Cherokee Nation Scholar Program, and the Cobell Scholar program. In addition, I have served as the Public Relations Officer for the Leadership Council, as President of the Native American Student Association, and as a Transfer Distinguished Academic Scholarship recipient at the University of Oklahoma. Through hard work and dedication, I am making my dreams come true. The life skills that I have learned along the way have greatly helped with my educational goals, and I will use my education to be an advocate working with and for my people. I have pledged myself to do this—it is within my heart.
