The federal government has confirmed Alex Red Corn as the president of Haskell Indian Nations University, according to a news release.
The Bureau of Indian Education announced the appointment Monday.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve Indian Country at this historic university that has meant so much to so many tribal communities,” Red Corn said in the release. “Working closely with Haskell’s faculty, staff, and students has been extremely rewarding. I’ve witnessed first-hand the collaborative spirit across campus that will continue to guide our shared work as we serve our students and Indian Country.”
Red Corn will focus on student success, strengthening sovereignty and maintaining secure leadership as president.
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“Haskell is shaped by generations of Native students, families, and communities who have carried knowledge forward and imagined what comes next,” said Stephanie Conduff, associate deputy director for Postsecondary Education with the BIE. “President Red Corn understands that responsibility, and he will help Haskell move forward with purpose as he leads the university in supporting the people who make it unique and preparing the way for future generations.”
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Mackie Moore, Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma and dean of Haskell’s College of Business, served as interim president starting with the June 2025 resignation of Frank Arpan, who had announced his plans to leave Haskell that May.
Red Corn, a citizen of the Osage Nation, took up the temporary president position in late January. Red Corn has been a director and associate professor of Indigenous Studies at KU, and an associate vice chancellor for sovereign partnerships and Indigenous initiatives.
“He has also led programs with the Osage Nation to increase graduate-level educational attainment and served as executive director of the Kansas Association for Native American Education and chair of the Kansas Advisory Council for Indigenous Education,” according to the release.
Dalton Henry, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and president of the Haskell Board of Regents, said confirming the president is essential to cement the academic, financial and athletic future of the university.
“Once you get the permanent position, you do have authority to make decisions,” he said.
The Lawrence City Commission and Douglas County Commission sent a letter to Doug Burgum, secretary of the interior, addressed Sept. 14, to contest the proposed federal budget for 2027. It would drastically shrink funding for all accredited tribal colleges and universities, including Haskell.
The two commissions also urged Burgum to appoint a president for the university.
“(W)e strongly believe that a decision from your office in the imminent future will support campus success. To secure administrative leadership in a meaningful way, it is crucial the university is appointed an experienced president who will provide the intentional stewardship needed for its future,” the letter reads.
Haskell community members living nationwide gathered on campus earlier this month to celebrate the centennial of the stadium and memorial arch dedication, and Board of Regents members past and present discussed the legacy Haskell has built. Since transforming from a residential boarding school to a space of Indigenous scholarship, many families have sent generations of students to the school, and many have, in turn, brought their knowledge back to their home communities.
“This institution has been confronted with a lot of things, but it’s a reflection of the people it serves. As a race of people, we persevered … This university reflects who we are. We are pillars of strength,” said George Tiger, Mvskoke Nation.
Tiger is a former principal chief of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and former board president.
“We’re not supposed to be here as a race of people. This country did everything it did, mandated policies, everything, but we’re still here and we’re thriving,” he said. “So will the school.”
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Wulfe Wulfemeyer (they/them), reporter and news editor, has worked with The Lawrence Times since May 2025. They can be reached at [email protected].
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