Tapaha earned his B.A. in Sociology and Elementary Education from Arizona State University and completed his Ed.M. and Ph.D. in Education from Oregon State University. Since 2023, Tapaha has served as a postdoctoral researcher in the College's Department of Education Policy, Organization & Leadership.

Tell us about your research agenda. 

My research focuses on narrating the wisdom, lived experience stories, and life histories of Indigenous leaders, Elders, and knowledge-keepers as they relate to Indigenous knowledge systems, Indigenous leadership, and Indigenous teacher education. My primary interest is understanding Indigenous educators’ lived experiences and how educators’ narrative constructions influence their teaching and leadership practices in the Indigenous education context. Additionally, I assist the Office of Community College Research and Leadership by providing insights about Tribal Colleges and Universities and Tribal Institutional Review Boards.