2026 NIEA Board of Directors Elections

Meet the 2026 Student Board Candidates

Three candidates are seeking election to the Student Member seat on the NIEA Board of Directors for the 2026–2027 term. The elected Student Member will help ensure student voices are represented in NIEA’s leadership and contribute to conversations shaping the future of Native education.

Voting will take place Friday, October 9, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET.

Meet the three candidates below, then review the complete voting information following their biographies.

Janelle Cronin, M.S.

Navajo Nation

Janelle Cronin, M.S., is an enrolled citizen of the Navajo Nation from Gallup, New Mexico. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science from Haskell Indian Nations University and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Ecological Sciences and Engineering and Curriculum Studies at Purdue University. Her research explores giving back and the experiences of Indigenous faculty.

Janelle is a George Washington Carver Fellow and an Alfred P. Sloan Indigenous Graduate Partnership Scholar. She recently received the 2026 Elouise Cobell Dissertation Fellowship and the Purdue College of Education Dean’s Dissertation Scholarship.

Her leadership experience includes serving on the National Indian Youth Council Board and as an Interdisciplinary Graduate Program Student Ambassador at Purdue. Through mentorship, community engagement, volunteer work, and annual fundraisers, Janelle remains committed to supporting the next generation of Native scholars.

View Résumé View Letter of Intent

Election Information

Voting Date and Time:
Friday, October 9, 2026
9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. ET

Virtual Voting:
Current NIEA members will receive a secure voting link from a third-party voting platform. If you do not receive your voting link, please contact Eric Chastain or Rachel Two Bulls.

On-site Voting:
Voting stations will be available at Registration during the 57th Annual NIEA Convention & Trade Show at the Buffalo Convention Center.

Eligibility to Vote
Only current NIEA members in good standing are eligible to vote.

For any questions, please contact Eric Chastain, Legislative & Federal Policy Director, at echastain@niea.org .

Learn more about the Election Process