"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Chad Gilley Earns Scholarship

"Chad Gilley of Salina was honored with the 2007
Alice BigPond Roach Memorial Scholarship at the National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference."

SALINA, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee citizen Chad Gilley of Salina was recently honored with the 2007 Alice BigPond Roach Memorial Scholarship Award at the 28th National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference.

“The Cherokee Nation is pleased to have supported Chad as he pursued a college education,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation. “It is always uplifting to see our citizens excel.”

Gilley was awarded the scholarship as a result of his participation in the Work Experience Program at Cherokee Nation Career Services. Every year individuals who exceed the expectations of their perspective programs are nominated to receive the award.

“I was so honored to be nominated and receive this award,” said Gilley. “I am the first person in my family to complete a college education. It was the support of my parents, my coaches and the Cherokee Nation Work Experience Training Program that helped to enable me to achieve my degree.”

The Work Experience Program is open to adults and youth who are members of a federally recognized Indian tribe, who live in the 14-county jurisdictional area of the Cherokee Nation. Participants must be unemployed, underemployed, low-income, in need of training, or in receipt of a layoff notice within the last 6 months. Job placement can be made in the private or public sector. All male applicants born on or after January 1 of 1960 must register or be registered with Selective Service.

“The Work Experience Program encourages individuals to develop good work habits and basic work skills, which will promote employability,” said Debra Pritchett, Employment and Training Program Specialist. “Chad came to Career Services in need of financial assistance to continue his education. The work-study program through the university he was attending couldn’t provide sufficient hours and pay to help him further his educational goals.”

Through Cherokee Nation’s Work Experience Program, Gilley was assigned to work with a university baseball coach, who would ultimately become his mentor. Through his work assignment, Gilley learned leadership, responsibility, determination and compassion. He was taught how to maintain the baseball fields, organize the weight room equipment, operate the clock at sports activities and coaching techniques.

“I was fortunate to take part in the work experience program with the Cherokee Nation,” said Gilley. “To me it was not just a job, but it was an opportunity to gather knowledge about the game of baseball, to learn new philosophies about a sport that I love and gain the experience needed to help me succeed in my career as a coach upon graduation. I believe that without the influences and experiences of programs like Career Services, I would not be where I am today.”

For more information about the Work Experience Program, call Cherokee Nation Career Services, phone: 918-453-5555.