Cheryl Najera is a citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. She has been with the College of the Muscogee Nation for eight and half years and currently serves as the Program Coordinator, Advisor, and Instructor for the Criminal Justice Program. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Northeastern State University (NSU) and a Master of Legal Studies degree in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma (OU), College of Law. Cheryl is currently a doctoral student at Oklahoma State University working on a Doctor of Forensic Science.
Cheryl has spent over 20 years working in Indian Country both for the Muscogee Creek Nation and the Choctaw Nation. During this time, she has worked with indigenous youth and young adults. Cheryl founded the ACJA-LAE chapter of the criminal justice student organization Nu Omega Lambda Omicron (NOLO), is a member of the American Society of Criminology (ASC), the American Criminal Justice Association (ACJA-LAE), and the Alpha Phi Sigma Theta Mu National Criminal Justice Honor Society.
In Cheryl’s spare time, she is a photographer with several award-winning pieces. Cheryl’s photo “We see you” #MMIW recently won the 2021 Thunder Indigifest Photography category for advocacy in the Faculty/Staff Tribal College category and her 2022 submission “Spirit Sees Red” won in the Faculty/Staff audience choice category. Her photography focuses on Indigenous people and strives to bring awareness to the National Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and People epidemic.
Cheryl’s time at the College of Muscogee Nation has been spent investing in the future of the students. She has a genuine passion for her field of study in Criminal Justice and a love for the students. Cheryl believes in equipping her students with knowledge and experience to further their futures and make a difference within the community and our tribal nation.
