Staff
NOC-NASNTI Staff
Anna Roland
Title III Project Director for the NASNTI Grant
Contact Information:
Phone: 580.628.6392
Email: anna.roland@noc.edu
Anna Roland graduated from Ponca City High School in 1999, and has an Associate of Science in Secondary Education, a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, and a Master of Science in Instructional Design Technology. A former elementary educator, Roland began working for Northern Oklahoma College in 2017, beginning as the Title III Distance Learning Specialist, then transitioning to the role of NASNTI Grant Project Director in 2019. Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering with the children’s ministry at First Baptist Church in Ponca City, playing board games, reading and spending time with her husband and six children.
Gina Conneywerdy
Title III Native American Student Success Specialist
Contact Information:
Phone: 580.628.6384
Email: gina.conneywerdy@noc.edu
Gina Conneywerdy is a member of the Osage Nation and grew up in Red Rock, Oklahoma. She graduated from Red Rock High School in 1986 and obtained an Associate of Science degree in 1988 from Northern Oklahoma College (NOC) before transferring to Oklahoma State University (OSU).
She started her employment with NOC in 2006 as a counselor, advising students and spearheading the Internship Program. She then accepted the position of Native American Adviser and Recruiter where she has assisted students with tribal scholarships, advising, transfer information, and student support services. In addition, she has served as a sponsor for the Northern Thunder Club.
As the Native American Student Success Specialist, Conneywerdy oversees development/pilots of student services and faculty development that is housed in the Cultural Engagement Center as well as the coaching program for NOC Native American students. Conneywerdy also works with students to achieve educational goals and obtain their associates degree with NOC.
Conneywerdy lives in Red Rock with her husband, Cruz and daughters Hope and Autumn.
Sara Hawkins
Title III Distance Learning Specialist
Contact Information:
Phone: 580.628.6344
Email: sara.hawkins@noc.edu
Sara Hawkins, a native of Bloomington, Indiana and graduate of Walden University, started at NOC in 2014 in the Finance Department then moved to Information Technology where she gained experience helping faculty and staff with troubleshooting and assisting with NOC’s student information system.
Hawkins began her duties in October as the Distance Learning Specialist where she works with NOC staff and faculty, supporting collaborative efforts to develop and redesign online courses to meet “Quality Matters” certification standards across the disciplines. She also assists in the development and piloting of redesigned high quality, interactive online services to support both on-campus and distance education students.
In addition she works closely with NOC faculty and Information Technology Services to ensure the integration of technology within the college overall IT infrastructure. Hawkins collaborates with the six tribes within the college service area—Otoe-Missouria, Tonkawa and Ponca tribes and Kaw, Osage and Pawnee nations—maintaining the access sites where students can attend college classes closer to their home.
Hawkins lives in Ponca City and enjoys barrel racing in her time away from work.