- Community & Alumni Engagement
- Cherokee Center
Cherokee Center
The WCU Cherokee Center was founded in 1975 when Lawrence Arvey founded the center as a hub for professors that would teach the college level courses across the street from the Old Cherokee High School. As the years went on, those professors were no longer needed because the teacher could become certified to teach the course themselves.
The Center has become the headquarters for all outreach and involvement in the Cherokee community. We provide many services to the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians students and the surrounding region.
These services include the application process, transcript request, scholarships, internships placement, high school recruitment, and much more. The center staff is here to support you and any way possible. The WCU Cherokee Center is your connection to Western Carolina University.
Resources for Potential Students
Cherokee Center advisory Board
Community Involvement
The Cherokee Center runs many activities and services for the local community:
- College Fairs
- Recruitment days
- Application workshops
- Educational workshops for all students
- Community service events
- Educational campus performances or demonstrations
- Educational campus lectures or speakers
- Mentoring/job shadowing activities
- Tours of local and historical sites
- Alumni engagement
Cherokee Center Staff
Shannon Swimmer
Director of the Cherokee Center
Shannon received her Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas and her Master of Science from Western Carolina University. She is a licensed attorney in the state of North Carolina and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokees. She was the first female member of her tribe to serve as an Associate Judge for the Cherokee Tribal Court. Shannon is actively involved in her community through participation in groups such as Painttown Community Club, Cherokee Community Club Council, the Yogi Crowe Memorial Scholarship Fund Board of Directors, the EBCI Constitution Convention, and the Gadugi Project Advisory Board. She views her role as the Director of the Cherokee Center as a continued commitment to serve and assist Native communities, as well as an opportunity to foster continued collaboration between the Eastern Band of Cherokee and Western Carolina University.
Elias Huskey
Administrative Support Associate
An enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Huskey graduated from Swain County High School and is currently working towards his associates degree. He is the former chairman of the Junaluska Leadership Council and is a 2013 alumni of the Remember the Removal bike ride that travels from New Echota, GA to Tahlequah, OK. As the Administrative Support for the Cherokee Center, Huskey will work to provide excellent support to the Director and the Cherokee Center.
A Glimpse into the Past of the Cherokee Center
Cherokee Center built in 1975
Community Support spreads
Local students
EBCI Resources
Native Student Tribal Affiliates
Shadow Cats
Learn more about our professional development and job shadowing program for all EBCI high school students between the ages of 14-18 years old.