Alumni Spotlight: Esther Ramer

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn in my local community, and I am proud to have attended a Tribal college.”

Esther Ramer majored in Native American Studies (LCO) then transferred to UW Madison before graduation; I received a Certificate of Advanced Ojibwe Language Learning. Esther went on to complete a Ph.D. and now works in a staff position at the University of California, Berkeley.

As a Non-traditional student who grew up just outside LCO, she wanted to study close to home, and was interested in the Ojibwe language.

Esther shared, “As a first-generation student, I wasn’t familiar with a lot of options. College seemed scary, but the staff, faculty, and students at LCO Ojibwe University were all very welcoming to me.”

Her favorite courses were Ojibwe Literature and Storytelling and Native American Literature. These courses introduced her to many great stories and authors. She added “The instructors and my fellow students made the classes a lot of fun.”

When asked what advice she would give, she shared, “LCO Ojibwe University is a great place to explore your interests at a pace that works for you. The support from staff at a small local institution can help you find what works best for you. I think starting college locally will provide a more personalized and relevant learning experience, especially if you are a nontraditional student, a parent, or are not comfortable with a larger institution or moving away from home.”

In closing, she stated, “A big thank you to all the staff and faculty who helped me begin my educational journey. I hope to see you again sometime. Miigwech!”

With daughter Elena