Dr. Margaret Ross
The President of Sinte Gleska University serves as the institution’s chief executive officer, providing visionary leadership that advances academic excellence, cultural preservation, and community impact for the Sicangu Lakota Oyate. Guided by a commitment to Lakota values and self-determination, the President works collaboratively with faculty, staff, Tribal leadership, and partners to strengthen the university’s mission and future growth. Throughout its history, Sinte Gleska University has been shaped by dedicated past presidents whose leadership and service have contributed to the institution’s development as a respected Tribal college grounded in culture, education, and community empowerment
Her Story
Dr. Margaret Ross, Wahcasawin, serves as Interim President of Sinte Gleska University. She is a citizen of the Oglala band and a descendant of the Sicangu band of the Titonwan and also descends from the Mdewakanton and Wahpekute Dakota. She brings a strong commitment to Indigenous education, nation-building, and culturally grounded leadership. Dr. Ross holds a Ph.D. in Psychology from Grand Canyon University, where her research focused on American Indian learning styles and high school graduation outcomes through the lens of Tribal Critical Race Theory. Her work reflects a dedication to improving educational systems for Native students while honoring Indigenous ways of knowing. She has served in leadership roles within Sinte Gleska University, most recently as Dean of Students. In this role, she led student success initiatives, including early alert systems, retention strategies, and culturally responsive support services designed to strengthen student persistence and completion. As Interim President, Dr. Ross is guiding the university through a period of transition with a focus on restoring stability, strengthening shared governance, and advancing institutional effectiveness in alignment with accreditation standards. Her leadership is grounded in Wolakota, reflecting a commitment to peace, harmony, and balance in service to students, the Sicangu Oyate, and future generations.
Founder & President
Dr. Lionel
Bordeaux
Founder & President
History
Lionel Raphael Bordeaux (1940–2022), known by his Lakota name Wakinyan Wanbli (Thunder Eagle), was a prominent Sicangu Lakota educator and a central figure in the Tribal College Movement. He is best known for his 50-year tenure as the president of Sinte Gleska University (SGU), making him the longest-serving college or university president in the United States at the time of his passing.
Early Life and Education
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Birth: Born in rural Mellette County, South Dakota, on the Rosebud Indian Reservation.
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Higher Education: He earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Black Hills State University (1964), followed by a master's in educational psychology from the University of South Dakota and a doctorate in education administration from the University of Minnesota.
Career and Leadership
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Sinte Gleska University: Bordeaux was inaugurated as president on February 3, 1973, by twelve Lakota medicine men. Under his leadership, SGU became the first tribal college to achieve accredited four-year and master's degree-granting status.
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National Impact: He was a co-founder of several critical organizations for Native education, including:
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The American Indian College Fund.
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The World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC).
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The Tribal College Journal.
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Public Service: He served as a councilman for the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council and held leadership roles in the National Indian Education Association (NIEA) and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC).
Legacy and Honors
Bordeaux was a fierce advocate for tribal sovereignty and the preservation of Lakota culture through education. His contributions earned him numerous accolades:
Tribal College Journal +2
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Inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame (1993).
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Inducted into the National Native American Hall of Fame.
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Named "Indian Educator of the Year" by multiple national organizations.
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The Lionel R. Bordeaux Library at Black Hills State University was named in his honor in 2017.
Bordeaux passed away on November 16, 2022, at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy defined by his motto: "If it is to be... it is up to me".
