The 2026 class of the Chickasaw Institute of Technology (CIT) took to the stage May 19 at the historic McSwain Theatre, Ada, Oklahoma, to receive trade certificates in various in-demand professions. Family and friends overflowed into the theater’s balcony seating as each Chickasaw student was recognized for earning accreditations through classroom, workshop and on-the-job training opportunities offered through the tribe.
“Congratulations to these Chickasaws in this achievement,” said Chickasaw Nation Governor Chris Anoatubby. “The skills they have learned through hands-on career training will serve them and the wider community for decades to come. Preparing our citizens for careers in nursing, information technology and other technical programs is an important building block for the Chickasaws who receive the training. These individuals then go on to serve in important roles in the tribe, as well as other business and organizations.”
“The purpose of the Chickasaw Institute is to train our Chickasaw citizens for careers,” CIT Senior Manager of Student Services Charity Creekmore said. “We do this to help fulfill the mission of the Chickasaw Nation, ‘to enhance the overall quality of life of the Chickasaw people.’
“The CIT campus allows us the space to train our citizens, in both classroom and shop-training settings,” Creekmore said. “Our classrooms are equipped with the technology to provide a hands-on experience. We are proud to provide our own training facilities and staff that serve Chickasaw citizens.”
This year’s CIT graduating class includes 66 graduates from seven programs: 15 from the applied business technology program, 11 from the certified nursing assistant (CNA) program, nine from the plumbing program, seven from the construction technology program, 11 from the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) program, 10 from the electrician program, and three from the Information technology (IT) program.
Graduating from the plumbing program, Coy Myers of Velma, Oklahoma, summarized the experiences of the graduates.
“In addition to learning (construction) codes in the classroom, we had a lot of hands-on experience as well,” Myers said. “The instructors are great at teaching both. I really liked working out on live job sites.”
Collectively, graduates in these career technology programs completed thousands of hours of classroom instruction and practical, hands-on training. Each CIT program consists of 40-hour work weeks from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. CIT occupational programs range in length from 14 weeks to 12 months. Participants are eligible for compensation while training.
“I didn’t have to pay for my classes. Instead, I was actually paid for being there and showing up to become better at my trade,” Myers said. “It was easier to commit knowing I was able to make money while learning.”
Beginning with 16 students in its inaugural class 10 years ago, CIT continues to grow annually. To date, more than 400 Chickasaw citizens have completed a CIT career program.
“In 2016, I went through this program. It has changed over the years,” Logan Dennis, 2016 inaugural CIT class graduate and owner of L & L Plumbing in Ada, Oklahoma, said. “Here I am 10 years later. Five years ago, I started a business. It is going strong. I am getting emotional — this program changed my life.”
Accessible to Chickasaw adults with at least a high school diploma or GED equivalent, CIT career programs are open to participants at no charge.
“You can tell the instructors want the best for you,” Myers said. “They try to make sure you have a job once the program is done. They are still there for you once you graduate. That means a lot.”
This year’s CIT graduates included two sets of parents who had the honor of progressing their careers alongside their children.
“Graduates Robert Lee and Billy Wolf are also celebrating a family milestone,” Creekmore said. “Each has a child graduating from our certified nurse assistant program. Their shared journey not only reflects personal determination, but also a powerful example of generational growth and the value of education within our families.”
The reputation of CIT graduates is expanding in the Chickasaw Nation and beyond. Many graduates have gone on to work within the tribe, and Oklahoma businesses continue to seek out and hire alumni.
Along with the number of Chickasaws served, CIT’s evolution is reflected in the number of career programs offered. The institute is currently working to provide a welding program with a state-of-the-art welding facility. The program is slated to open within the year.
“The graduates we recognized today began their career training 10 months ago with a commitment to work hard and learn all they could. They have worked hard. We are so proud of them. The success of our students is our success,” Creekmore said.
Applications to the CIT program are accepted year-round. For more information, visit Chickasaw.net/CIT or call (580) 310-7904. The Chickasaw Institute of Technology is located at 212 Rosedale Road, Ada, Oklahoma, 74820.