For Missouri State University’s Dr. Kayla Robinson, advancing the understanding of Native American people, culture and history is more than a profession — it’s a lifelong passion.

That commitment recently earned her one of the Chickasaw Nation’s highest honors: Dynamic Woman of the Year. Robinson, director of the School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies at Missouri State, received the award from Chickasaw Nation Gov. Bill Anoatubby at the 2026 Dynamic Women of the Chickasaw Nation Conference held May 28-29 at WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma.

Established in 2006, the Dynamic Woman of the Year Award honors Chickasaw women who have made significant contributions and served as role models to others. Recipients exemplify Chickasaw values, culture and traditions.

“It’s such an honor to receive this award,” Robinson said. “Considering the number of women we have in our nation, it’s humbling. I was blown away.”

Building understanding through education

A citizen of the Chickasaw Nation, Robinson has dedicated much of her career to increasing awareness and understanding of Native American people and cultures. Through research, presentations and community outreach, she works to challenge stereotypes and share information on current issues they face.

“There are so many misconceptions about Native people. My goal is to provide accurate historical and contemporary perspectives,” she said.

Her research focuses on Native American curriculum and authentic children’s literature. She studies how Native people are represented in educational materials and explores ways educators can present a more authentic and complete picture of Native communities in the classroom.

“My heritage has always been part of my life,” Robinson said. “This work allows me to bring together my personal experiences and professional interests in a way that benefits the Native American community. I can’t imagine researching anything else.”

She strives to help others see Native people in a present-day light.

“For most people, when you say, ‘Native American,’ they picture a man in a feathered headdress. They don’t see a woman. They don’t see modern day. They tend to think of us in past tense,” Robinson said.

“I want people to see we’re still here and our nations are accomplishing great things despite facing a lot of challenges.”

Finding support at Mo State

Robinson has been part of the Missouri State community for more than 25 years as a student, faculty member and administrator. She said she has “always felt extremely supported, both at the university level and within the College of Education.”

This summer, she hopes to complete two manuscripts. The first, co-authored with a colleague, focuses on strong representation of Native American women in children’s literature.

The second builds on a study she published in 2024 on curriculum gaps in elementary social studies. It examines how teachers can address those gaps by moving beyond instructional materials that often present Native people in the past tense. It will also include contemporary books and resources teachers can use in their classrooms to more accurately reflect Native nations and communities today.

“I find that the more I learn, the more I realize there’s still much to learn,” Robinson said. “I’m constantly able to be enriched by the information I’m gaining.”

Explore the School of Special Education, Leadership and Professional Studies