Connor Rakes recently graduated from East Central University with a Bachelor of Arts in history. Rakes, who is Choctaw, has represented his tribe in numerous groups during his undergraduate career, including as a member of the McNair Scholars Program, a federally funded TRIO program designed to assist federally recognized minority groups in pursuing graduate school, and as president of the East Central University Russian Club. He also attended nearly a dozen conferences nationwide as an undergraduate.
Rakes has been accepted to the Pennsylvania State University School of International Affairs, where he will pursue a master’s in international affairs. He hopes, after graduation, to assist his tribe as a vocal Choctaw working for the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service officer.
“The Choctaw Nation has given me so much support over the years,” said Rakes. “I feel need to give back and lead by example so future generations know that they can work to make a change in the world.”