Chad Gilley’s life journey started in Salina, Oklahoma, a small town with a population of approximately 1,400.  Growing up with his four siblings, Chad credits his parents and coaches for continually encouraging him to be active in sports, which, eventually,

L-R: Larry Ketcher (Cherokee Nation Employment & Training Director), Debra Pritchett (Cherokee Nation Employment & Training Program Specialist), and Chad Gilley (Awardee)

resulted in an athletic scholarship and a college degree from Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.  He is the first person in his family to achieve the form of academic accomplishment of higher education.

Chad further acknowledges the guidance and direction provided by the Cherokee Nation’s Career Services Department and its Work Experience training program.  They gave him the opportunity to work one-on-one with a collegiate level baseball coach and learn the fundamentals of athletic administration, field maintenance, and weight room organization. The

L-R: Debra Pritchett, Chad Gilley, and Larry Ketcher

coach became a great mentor. Chad gained outstanding leadership skills through his determined efforts to maintain high levels of accountability and compassion to help others who are in need, as he once was.

Chad especially feels fortunate to have been a part of the Work Experience training program since he started as an unemployed student with no work experience and in need of financial assistance for his last college semester prior to graduation.  Upon completion of the program, Chad immediately began his graduate studies and successfully secured

Chad Gilley

employment as the Field Supervisor of Baseball at Carl Albert State College in Poteau, Oklahoma.

Today, Chad is in his second year as the Assistant Baseball Coach at Carl Albert State College and serves as an educator who interacts daily with students experiencing similar life experiences and challenges

L-R: Angie Gilliam (Presenter), Jeff Foster (Presentor), and Chad Gilley

adapting to college life.  He feels fortunate to be able to share his perspectives on their academic performance, athletic activities, and career planning.  In addition, he is a committed sponsor of the American Indian Student Association and enthusiastically participates in the Youth Experiencing Success mentoring program.