James King graduated from Okemah High School in 1964. James completed his Bachelor’s Degree at East Central State University in 1968; his Master’s from the University of Minnesota in 1973, and a Doctorate of Education at Oklahoma State University in 1986.
While at the University of Minnesota in 1973, he developed a plan for a college for the Muscogee Creek Nation as an assignment in a graduate class in Two Year Community Colleges. This paper served as the foundational concept for the College of the Muscogee Nation.
James has always been committed to serving in the field of education, beginning his professional service with the Indian Division of the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Later, he was employed with the National Indian Education Association as a Teacher Training Program Assistant, and continued his professional career in the Administration of the Muskogee (Creek) Nation as the Head of Planning and later the Director of Human Development. James was also General Manager/Vice-President for a consulting firm that provided technical assistance to Indian tribes. While at OSU, he was a Research Assistant in international education, training education administrators and instructors from Jordan.
From 1986 until his retirement in 2003, James served as a Professor of Educational Research in the Graduate College at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. James earned a reputation among his peers and students as a dedicated teacher and professional; counseling and mentoring hundreds of Graduate Students, assisting them in their successful completion of Graduate Degrees. These same students are now making major contributions in the field of education throughout the nation.
While at Northeastern State Dr. King served on Committees for North Central Accreditation, NCATE, Tenure and Promotion, and the Annual Indian Symposium. He also co- chaired the College of Education Research Conference and was a member of the Graduate Council. Additional professional experiences include serving on the Trade and Commerce Board for the Muscogee Nation and Community Relations Board for Sequoyah High School.
James’ other professional achievements during his career include: Evaluator for teacher training programs, Native language projects and bilingual education activities. James also served as a delegate on Libraries and Information Services for the Oklahoma Governor’s Conference. He was a committee member on Native Americans and Reading for the International Reading Association and on the Human Relations Commission for the OEA. The State House of Representatives recognized him for his work on the Minority Needs Assessment Committee, organized to increase the number of minority teachers in Oklahoma schools.
Community service activities James participated in include: Okfuskee County Community Action Program Board, volunteer coach for the Okemah Little League, Creek Nation Olympics, Oklahoma Advisory Council for Indian Education, and President of QuESTT Inc. (a community based agency serving disadvantaged youth). For his work with the community, James received a Distinguished Leadership Recognition Award from the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and was inducted into the Okemah Hall of Fame and received the Living Legend recognition from the Muscogee Nation.
Dr. King facilitated the development of the beginning phase for the CMN campus building program; initiated implementation of the college systems; and served as chair for CMN accreditation. James’ work at the tribal college began by serving as the first president of the College of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and currently continues in his current positions as Regents Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation Liaison Officer.
