Tribal Relations Leadership
Meet Dr. Zoë Higheagle Strong
Dr. Zoë Higheagle Strong, (Indian name, Hookoo) is a member of the Nez Perce Tribe and a descendant of the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
She holds a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology (emphasis Learning Science and Human Development) from the University of Washington. On January 1, 2026, she became the first Associate Vice President of Tribal Relations at Central Washington University, where she also serves as Professor of Curriculum, Supervision, and Educational Leadership (CSEL). A Native scholar and higher education leader, she centers relational approaches that uphold Tribal sovereignty, Native student well-being and success, and Indigenous knowledge systems in research, policy, and practice.
Prior to joining CWU, Dr. Higheagle Strong spent a decade at Washington State University as Vice Provost and Associate Professor, where she advanced Tribal consultation policy, guided student programs that increased belonging and retention, and directed the Center for Native American Research and Collaboration. She recently led the statewide Native Education Opportunity Gap Study for the Governor's Office of Indian Affairs.
She currently chairs the Higher Education Committee for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians and serves on the OSPI Washington State Native American Education Advisory Committee. She is passionate about supporting the cultural, social, and emotional development of Native youth and college students.
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Questions? Contact Us.
Zoё Higheagle Strong, PhD, AVP Tribal Relations
Office of the President
509-963-2111 | scott@cwu.edu