Released October 26, 2008
EAST LANSING, Mich. –Aaron Payment, an expert in working with Native American communities, has been named American Indian liaison for Michigan State University (MSU) Extension. Payment began his new assignment Oct. 1.
Payment is responsible for creating, implementing and coordinating outreach to American Indian tribes in Michigan through MSU Extension and the MSU College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and for the delivery of existing MSU and MSU Extension programs to tribal partners. He will also interact with the CANR Office of Diversity and Pluralism to support outreach and other initiatives to strengthen the working relationships with Indian tribes in Michigan.
“When working with any community, it’s important to have staff members who understand their needs and respect their culture,” said Tom Coon, director of MSU Extension. “Aaron’s rich background working with Native American communities makes him a perfect fit for this position.”
Payment began his career with indigenous communities 20 years ago as a Native American recruitment assistant at Northern Michigan University. He served on the board of directors of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians for 12 years, the last four as chairperson/CEO. He has been responsible for managing many aspects of building capacity in Native American communities, including recruitment and retention of students in school, policy development, employment policies, education and training, and tribal government reform.
Payment’s awards include the Northern Michigan University Distinguished Young Native American Alumni Award and the Delta Sigma Phi Distinguished Alumni Award. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology and a master’s degree in public administration from Northern Michigan University.
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http://anrcom.msu.edu/press/100108/102608_payment.htm
Contacts: Aaron Payment, 517-432-7605, paymenta@anr.msu.edu
Beth Stuever, 517-432-1555, ext. 176
