Ron Wilson has been named interim outreach specialist for Bemidji State University’s American Indian Resource Center. Wilson returns to BSU, where he worked as an admissions representative, with experience as a motivational musician and advocate for higher education among American Indian students.

Wilson, a nationally known hip-hop artist touring under the name Kaboose, uses the power of music to create connections with students.

“I signed with a record label in 2008 and toured full-time for about eight years, really focusing on helping underrepresented youth overcome barriers and challenges,” he said. “A big thing for me is talking about higher ed. I wouldn’t be where I am at without it. Going to college really forced me to grow up, be more responsible and helped me understand a whole new world around me.”

In his role as outreach specialist, Wilson will bring American Indian students to campus and help them through processes such as applications and financial aid, and strengthen relationships between BSU and the northern Minnesota region’s four tribal colleges. BSU has had dual-enrollment agreements with each of Minnesota’s four tribal colleges —Red Lake Nation College, White Earth Tribal and Community College, Leech Lake Tribal College and Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College — since May 2017.

“I really have a heart for not only our native students, but underrepresented students in general,” he said. “Being one of those students growing up and seeing the world from that perspective has helped me flip around and want to help those who are in the same situation that I was in.”

After working in the BSU admissions office, Wilson spent four years at Bemidji High School as its Indian education career and academic adviser. He said that during this time, he never lost touch with his music, which he used to create connections with students. He left that position and toured as Kaboose for about three years before joining the American Indian Resource Center.

A first-generation college graduate, Wilson says he is most looking forward to building bridges with students and meeting students as they come into the center. He also wants to use his experience in Indian education to strengthen the relationship between the AIRC and prospective students.

“I want to continue building relationships with local Indian ed programs, but also within the inner city. I think we have a lot of students in the inner city who want to come back up North and learn the culture and learn our language,” he said. “I want to reach the students who have lived in the city their whole lives — the ones who are thinking ‘I’m Native American – what does that mean?’”

Wilson has a bachelor’s degree in youth ministry from Oak Hills Christian College in Bemidji and began his work at Bemidji State on Jan. 22. He was preceded by Chrissy Koch, who was appointed executive director of the AIRC on Jan. 8.

A meet and greet with Wilson was held at the AIRC on Jan. 29, formally welcoming him to campus.

Contact

• Chrissy Koch, executive director of the American Indian Resource Center, christine.koch@bemidjistate.edu
• American Indian Resource Center; (218) 755-2032

Links

• American Indian Resource Center
• BSU Alumna Named Executive Director of American Indian Resource Center

Bemidji State University, located amid the lakes and forests of northern Minnesota, occupies a wooded campus along the shore of Lake Bemidji. Enrolling more than 5,100 students, Bemidji State offers more than 80 undergraduate majors and eight graduate degrees encompassing arts, sciences and select professional programs. BSU is a member of the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities and has a faculty and staff of more than 550. The university’s Shared Fundamental Values include environmental stewardship, civic engagement and international and multicultural understanding. For more, visit bemidjistate.edu or find us at BemidjiState on most of your favorite social media networks.

2020-B-134