Nakota Hunts-in-Winter, a leader in the autism and Native American campus communities and a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North and South Dakota-Dakota/Lakota, is graduating from MCC with an Associate’s Degree in Audio Production Technology.
A Grammy-nominated musician at 19 for playing bass on Alice Cooper’s song, Now I’m Mr. Nice Guy, a remake of his earlier classic hit, No More Mr. Nice Guy, for his Grammy-nominated children’s album, Solid Rock Revival, he plans to earn a bachelor’s of music with a focus on popular music at ASU.
Nakota’s career goal is to open his own studio to record musicians around the Valley using the knowledge he gained while at MCC and what he’ll soon learn at ASU. He also plans to continue making his own music. “I don’t think that’s something I’ll ever give up.”
He opted to attend MCC because “universities are a huge step for me. I just wanted to take it slow and find something that nicely fit my pace and MCC was the perfect choice.” As well as providing an outlet for learning audio engineering, MCC gave him access to what will eventually become the audio engineering community of the future. “I’ve been able to make connections and network with people who will form a strong community in the coming years.”
Nakota’s college experience was not without its hurdles. “I had to learn to adapt to college and become more independent. I had to prioritize my schooling over my other activities. I also have autism and navigating through college as a person with autism can be very frustrating and confusing sometimes. I just had to take a little longer, but I made it to the finish line.”
While at MCC Nakota distinguished himself as a Phi Theta Kappa member who took a leadership role within the college community, meeting with fellow Native American students in the Inter-tribal Student Organization, and serving as a role model connecting struggling students with others to overcome obstacles to their academic success. “I see so many people who want to achieve certain goals but just don’t feel they can because of setbacks they’ve experienced. I find that I can show it’s possible to achieve those goals.”
While guiding students to the numerous programs and resources MCC offers to help in their academic success, Nakota took advantage of these opportunities, too. Enrolled in the TRIO program, which assists low-income, first-generation and students with disabilities, he also worked within the program to help participants make friends on campus and become comfortable with talking to others.
Crediting his counselor, adjunct faculty member Pamela Burke Cowing, with making a significant impact on his time spent at MCC, he said, “She has helped me not only in my education but in my everyday life. She really changed how my life works by giving me different coping skills and has shown me ways to navigate through college.”
Nakota’s favorite part about MCC is the campus community. “I have made many friends and even met two of my best friends there, Selena and Kaden. It’s a great college and I would recommend it to everyone.”