Muskogee, Okla. – Bacone College is pleased to announce the appointment of Jan-Michael
GoingSnake to the position of First-Year Advisor/Recruiter.
GoingSnake, who prefers to be referred to as “J.M.,” was born in Tahlequah, Oklahoma,
but grew up in Los Angeles, California, and lived there for 20 years. GoingSnake returned back
to Tahlequah with this wife of 21 years and three daughters, one of the home and two elder
daughters who are students at the University of Oklahoma and Northwestern University,
respectively.
“I sort of stumbled into higher education but it was surprising how much I care for young
people and their futures. I come from a humble background as I was a first-generation college
student and lower income,” said GoingSnake. “I had every opportunity to succeed when I was
younger but instead of turning right, I made a hard left. I definitely went through some struggles
which I put before myself with my choices, but I made it out and changed my behaviors.”
GoingSnake is a member of the Cherokee Nation and comes to Bacone after serving as
the university representative-diversity focus at Northeastern State University in Tahlequah.
“It is my goal to share my story with the students here and hopefully I will be able to
make an impact in these students’ lives,” said GoingSnake. “I am Indigenous and grew up with
culture. I know the value of my identity. I also know the value of education and how
transformative a college degree can be.”
In his spare time GoingSnake enjoys listening and singing southern style pow wow
songs, doing bead and feather work, and playing as much golf as he can.
“J.M. has an important position within Bacone in retaining first-year students through
advising. He will also be helping to develop holistic student strategies, while recruiting new
students to become a part of Bacone College,” said Dr. Kelly LaChance, Vice-President of
Student Affairs for Bacone College.
Contact GoingSnake at [email protected] For more information on Bacone
College visit bacone.edu or on social media at Facebook @baconecollege, Instagram
@bacone.college and Twitter @baconecollege