Vice Chief Richard Sneed (second from left) visited Southwestern Community College on Feb. 17 to discuss the college’s Native American MENtoring program. He also gave students in SCC’s automotive sytems technology program the opportunity to check out his Tesla vehicle. At left is David Myers, coordinator of SCC’s automotive program. To the left of Vice Chief Sneed are, from left: Ian Daugherty of Otto, Jonathan Watson of Sylva, Ben Crisp of Cullowhee, Jessica Hovis of Franklin and Dylan Johnston of Sylva. (SCC photo)
SYLVA – Long before he became Vice Chief for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, Richard Sneed was working with young people.
He served as an instructor at Cherokee High School for more than 11 years, and he was pastor at Christ Fellowship Church in Cherokee for 14 years.
So when he learned of the opportunity to continue helping the younger generation through a new program at Southwestern Community College, the Vice Chief did not hesitate. He is among the first group of mentors in SCC’s Native American MENtoring program, which was launched in December.
“As an educator and a pastor, I have seen firsthand the impact that having a mentor has in the life of a young person,” Vice Chief Sneed said. “I also recognize the negative effects that arise when there is a lack of guidance in young people’s lives. Because I want our Cherokee young men to succeed, I felt that it was important that I be involved in the process.”
Vice Chief Sneed got an in-depth introduction to the program during a Feb. 17 visit to SCC’s Jackson Campus. He met with assistant coordinator and coach Earle Dixon, as well as Dr. Don Tomas, SCC president; Dr. Mark Ellison, director of Student Support Services at SCC; Dr. Thom Brooks, SCC’s executive vice president for instruction and student services; and Jeff Marley, SCC’s heritage arts department chair.
Before taking his Tesla car over to the college’s automotive systems technology program for students to observe, he had agreed to serve as a mentor.
“Our focus with the Native American MENtoring program is squarely on helping a segment of the population that has historically struggled to stay in college through graduation,” Dixon said. “With the help of men like our Vice Chief, we can make great strides toward reversing that trend.”
While new to the mentoring program, Vice Chief Sneed has long been an advocate for SCC.
“I have always encouraged our students to explore the community college route,” he said. “It is my sincerely held belief that SCC helps students get started on the right path while pursuing their higher education goals. SCC is the launching pad to a successful career.”
Info: SCC’s Native American MENtoring program, Dixon 339-4479 or e_dixon@southwesterncc.edu
– SCC
