June 26, 2026

OXFORD, OH – The Myaamia Center at Miami University is pleased to announce a significant leadership transition, effective January 2027. Kara Strass, a citizen of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, will become the next Executive Director of the Myaamia Center.

 Daryl Baldwin and Kara Strass. Photo by Miami University Communications and Marketing. 

Strass, who has worked at the Myaamia Center since 2016, will also continue in her current capacity as the Van Zant Director of Miami Tribe Relations. In this dual role, she will serve as the primary liaison between Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, ensuring the continued strength of the 50+ year partnership between the sovereign nation and public university. 

A Legacy of Leadership 

Daryl Baldwin, who has served as director since the Center’s inception in 2001, will step into a temporary role as a mentor and advisor. In this capacity, he will provide strategic guidance and support to Strass and the Myaamia Center team until his formal retirement in the fall of 2027. 

This transition is designed to ensure stability and the continued growth of the Center’s research and educational initiatives. Baldwin’s mentorship will focus on preserving the institutional knowledge and organizational processes that have led to the Myaamia Center’s success in language and cultural revitalization.

"Kara’s leadership skills, knowledge of our effort, and relationship to the tribal community and across campus make her ideal to serve as the next director,” Baldwin said. “I feel very confident that the center is in great hands. We have an incredibly talented team of dedicated staff committed to strengthening this relationship and supporting the ongoing efforts to preserve and pass on Myaamia knowledge, language, and culture to the next generation. I look forward to watching this effort continue to grow and to continue supporting it as an elder in my community." 

Expanding Capacity for National Breath of Life

As part of this organizational growth, the Myaamia Center plans to hire a new director for the National Breath of Life (BoL) program. As National BoL continues to expand its reach and collaborate with additional Indigenous communities across the country, this new leadership position will ensure the program has the capacity to fully support its revitalization work. The new National BoL director will be officially announced at the end of this year.

Myaamia Heritage Program Support 

In addition to the leadership transition, the Myaamia Center is excited to welcome Caleb Collins, a Miami Tribe citizen and alumnus of the Myaamia Heritage Award Program, to fill Strass’s role as an advisor for Myaamia students attending Miami University. 

Collins will provide personalized guidance, helping students navigate the undergraduate experience while strengthening their connections to Myaamia culture and community. This role is a key component of the Center’s ongoing efforts to support the Myaamia Heritage Program. 

“Caleb will bring his own experience as a graduate of the Myaamia Heritage Program to the role,” said Strass. “As someone who understands what the students are experiencing, he will be able to help students navigate their time at Miami. We are very excited to add Caleb to our team.”

About the Myaamia Center at Miami University

The Myaamia Center is a Miami Tribe of Oklahoma initiative located within an academic setting that serves the needs of the Myaamia people through in-depth research and educational development to assist tribal educational initiatives aimed at the preservation of language and culture. The Center oversees the Myaamia Heritage Award Program, a four-year undergraduate experience for Miami Tribe citizens to learn about their culture and heritage while attending the university.

For more information and media inquiries, please contact Stella Beerman, communications specialist: (beermaej@miamioh.edu).