The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) and the Tribal Education Initiative at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hospitality have established a historic partnership to educate and prepare students for careers in Tribal gaming and hospitality enterprises.
On June 6, 2025, leaders from the UNLV Harrah College of Hospitality visited the CMN campus in Oklahoma to sign an articulation agreement that allows CMN students to transfer up to their first two years of coursework to the College of Hospitality. Those who are admitted to UNLV will be able to earn their bachelor's degree in approximately two years, depending on their transfer courses, with a focus on Tribal Gaming or Hospitality Management. Students can choose to study in person on the UNLV campus or entirely online.
The partnership marks the Harrah College of Hospitality’s first articulation agreement with a Tribal College and will serve as a model for future collaborations.
“We’re excited and thankful for the opportunity to build bridges with Tribal Colleges to help educate Native hospitality industry leaders,” said David Cárdenas, dean of the Harrah College of Hospitality.
Funded by a grant from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the UNLV College of Hospitality Tribal Education Initiative delivers educational programming on Native American business enterprises, including casinos, hotels, and cultural centers. A major component of this mission is to establish partnerships with Tribal Colleges and Universities wanting to expand leadership opportunities for their students in the gaming and hospitality management sectors.
“This partnership could serve as a model for other Indigenous colleges and universities
looking to expand their reach and influence,” said CMN President Monte Randall. “It signals a commitment to higher education that recognizes the unique cultural and community needs of Indigenous students, while also emphasizing academic excellence.”
Tammi Tiger, director of the UNLV's Tribal Education Initiative, joined Dean Cárdenas for the signing at CMN. Over the past two years, Tiger has worked closely with CMN to develop a partnership grounded in a shared commitment to student success and Tribal prosperity. This effort has involved reciprocal campus visits, focus groups, and discussions on resource allocation and programmatic structure.
“The college strongly believes education is the key to empowering the next generation of leaders in Tribal economic advancement,” said Tiger (Choctaw, Muscogee). “It has been such an honor to be able to build this relationship with the College of the Muscogee Nation to deliver on this important mission.”
Whether studying in person or online, CMN transfer students will have access to a wide range of resources at the Harrah College of Hospitality. They benefit not only from high-quality instruction delivered by full-time professors but also from academic support provided by the college’s dedicated team of academic advisors. Additionally, the Boughner Center for Career Services connects students with the college’s extensive network of hospitality industry partners through internships, mentorships, and job opportunities.
CMN students can begin applying to the UNLV College of Hospitality today.
About College of the Muscogee Nation
The College of the Muscogee Nation is an institution of higher learning established to serve the educational needs of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Committed to providing a quality education that integrates traditional Muscogee culture and modern academic disciplines, the college empowers students to achieve personal and professional success while preserving their cultural heritage. For more information, visit cmn.edu.
