Culture First: An Indigenous Rooted SEM Framework

Article Abstract

Related Issue:

SEMQ Volume 14, Issue 3 (October 2026)

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) are redefining strategic enrollment management. Through the Cultivating Native Student Success initiative, TCUs focus on capacity building using an Indigenous approach to strategic enrollment management centered on the unique cultural values inherent at each TCU to increase American Indian and Alaska Natives (AIAN) visibility, representation, and degree attainment in higher education. These culturally based practices inform a re-visioned SEM framework with an approach where campus and community-wide cultural belongingness is at the core.

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Author

Lisa Silverstein, Ph.D.

Director for TCU Capacity for Student Success at the American Indian College Fund
Delphina Thomas (Diné/Navajo), M.S.

Program Officer for TCU Capacity for Student Success at the American Indian College Fund
Cedric Howard

Vice Chancellor of Strategic Enrollment Management (Seattle Colleges District)

Article Type

SEMQ Article

Competency

Data Reporting & Analysis, Leadership, Organizational Management, Student Success & Enrollment Management

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Author(s)

Lisa Silverstein, Ph.D., is Director for TCU Capacity for Student Success at the American Indian College Fund. She leads initiatives that strengthen Tribal Colleges and Universities’ capacity to support Native student access, persistence, completion, and thriving. She guides strategic enrollment management, student success, and transfer and employment pathways in partnership with TCUs, grounding efforts in their missions, institutional priorities, and systems-level change. With more than 25 years of experience across experiential, K–12, community college, undergraduate, and graduate education, Dr. Silverstein’s work and research focus on student and faculty voice, sense of belonging, college access, retention, enrollment management, developmental education, and adult learner supports. She has led Minority Serving Institution grant initiatives, directed learning community and faculty development programs, contributed to Colorado and national developmental education reform, and continues to advocate for equitable access to higher education.

Delphina Thomas (Diné/Navajo), M.S., is from Indian Wells, Arizona. She is Tábąąhá’ (Near Water Clan), born to Totsohnii (Big Water Clan), with maternal grandparents from the Honágháahnii (One Who Walks Around) Clan and paternal grandparents from the Kinyaa’áanii (Towering House) Clan. She received her bachelor’s degree in American Studies with a focus on Native American Studies from Brown University and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Justice Studies at Arizona State University’s School of Social Transformation. Dr. Thomas works as a Program Officer for TCU Capacity for Student Success at the American Indian College Fund in the Student Success Services Department. In this role, she collaborates with tribal colleges and universities to develop strategic enrollment management plans aimed at increasing student retention, persistence, enrollment, and graduation rates.

Cedric B. Howard, Ed.D., is Vice Chancellor for Student Enrollment and Effectiveness at Seattle Colleges and a nationally recognized leader in strategic enrollment management (SEM), student affairs, and student success. With more than 30 years of higher education leadership experience, he has served in senior administrative roles including vice chancellor, vice president, and dean at public and private institutions across the United States. Dr. Howard is known for leading transformational enrollment and student success initiatives, including significant enrollment growth at the University of Washington Tacoma, SUNY Fredonia, and the University of Northern Colorado. A respected consultant, peer evaluator, and faculty member for AACRAO’s Essentials of SEM course, he has supported institutions, higher education systems, and Tribal Colleges and Universities in advancing SEM and student success strategies. His contributions have earned national recognition, including the NASPA Pillar of the Profession Award and the Scott Goodnight Award.

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