Ms. Belt is director of the Western Carolina University–Cherokee Center. Born in Cherokee, NC, and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), Belt has been director of the Cherokee Center since June, 2001. She received her bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Colorado at Boulder, where she worked for 10 years as a University counselor, and earned her master’s degree in counseling and consulting psychology from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. Upon returning to Cherokee, she received certification in school counseling from WCU.
Belt’s current position allows her to continue her work with Cherokee students. Her goal is to prepare more Cherokees for college and to encourage them to attend. Belt also serves as a clinical faculty member in the School of Education and Allied Professions. The course she co-teaches is “Education in a Diverse Society.” She serves on several university committees related to diversity and minority issues, as well as working closely with the Sequoyah Distinguished Professor in building the WCU Cherokee Studies program.
