STEP STAFF
Ms. Barbara Kennedy is the Project Director of the Seneca Nation/SUNY Fredonia Science &
Technology Entry Program (STEP). She is a citizen of the Seneca Nation (Snipe Clan) and
former director of the Seneca Nation of Indians Education Department for the Cattaraugus
Reservation, Irving, New York. She is a graduate of the State University of New York at
Fredonia and has over sixteen years of experience in educational programs. Through her
involvement in Indian Education and other projects, Ms. Kennedy has gained extensive
experience in: Community development, Indian Education, Organizational Development,
Planning and Evaluation, Curriculum Development, and Cultural Competency. Ms. Kennedy
also serves as Director of the Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP), a New
York State Education Department Bureau of Professional Career Opportunities Program, which
serves the Seneca Nation of Indians college youth and students from under-represented
populations. For her outstanding contributions to the Wichita Kansas Native Community, she
received the 1998 Educator of the Year Award by the Kansas Association for Native American
Education (KANAE).
Dr. Daniel Dobey, STEP Principal Investigator, is a Science Education Professor at SUNY
Fredonia College. He actually teaches future science teachers. "Mr./Dr. Dan" will be one
of the teachers on STEP field trips. Dr. Dan wants to involve and help STEP students with
any science or technology project that they are interested in; some students may even want
to team up with college science professors on a project!! If you have some ideas that you'd
like some help with, contact Dr. Dan at Fredonia College to get started. Dr. Dan hopes that
everyone has a great year in the Seneca Nation/SUNY Fredonia STEP program!
STEP Coordinators
Mr. Adrian John and Ms. Alyza Bowen serve as the Coordinator and Student Mentor for STEP Services
at the Allegany Reservation.
Mr. Adrian John, Coordinator for STEP Services, graduated from SUNY Oswego (Dr. Dan's alma mater too!)
and worked in American Studies concentrating on Native American Studies and Studio Art. Adrian is
an avid outdoor enthusiast - he kayaks, rock climbs, mountain bikes, snowboards, etc. Maybe we'll
do something like this on a field trip?! Adrian also coaches lacrosse for the Allegany Arrows.
He also sculpts, paints, and makes jewelry.
Ms. Alyza Bowen, from the Allegany Territory, serves as the STEP Mentor and sometimes helps with
other STEP activities. She is currently attending Jamestown Community College at the Olean Campus
for Early Childhood Education. She is also working full time for the Seneca Nation of Indians under
the Johnson O'Malley Program. Alyza enjoys beading, working with all of her students and working out
to relieve stress. Alyza is a former STEP student and is pleased to be working with the program.
Ms. Terri Boyer and Ms. Emily Tallchief serve as the Coordinators for STEP Services at the Cattaraugus
Reservation.
Ms. Terri Boyer serves as Coordinator for the STEP Program on the Cattaraugus Reservation.
She is also employed at Lake Shore Central School as a Native American Mentor and Tutor.
She has her teaching certification in Earth Science Education and is a graduate of SUNY Fredonia.
She is a professional ski coach for the Ranger Program at Holiday Valley Ski Resort. She likes to
spend her free time with her four children doing activities like camping, hiking, skiing, snowboarding,
and traveling together. She enjoys adventures to museums, parks, gardens, beaches, and places of
historical content. Ms. Boyer has several hobbies also including photography, gardening, canning
and remodeling.
Ms. Emily Tallchief serves as Coordinator for the STEP Program on the Cattaraugus Reservation,
a position she has held for 3 years. She graduated from Buffalo State College with a degree in
Anthropology and Native American Studies. She is currently attending SUNY Fredonia to obtain her
second baccalaureate and master degrees in Speech Pathology. Emily is also the Native Outreach
Coordinator at SUNY Fredonia, as well as a wife and mother to an 18 month old and 4 year old.
She enjoys working with the STEP students, and helping them on their journey to college.
