A research team from Mississippi College is working alongside the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians (MBCI) to preserve and revitalize the Choctaw language through a multi-year study of the tribe’s K–12 language and culture instruction.
Led by Dr. Sara Kimmel, professor of business, and supported by faculty from communication and modern languages, the project examines classroom teaching strategies and community perspectives used by the Choctaw Language Program. The study is designed to identify best practices for long-term language retention and cultural transmission.
In April 2025, Chief Cyrus Ben of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, a Mississippi College alumnus, formally authorized the study by signing a resolution approved by the Tribal Council. The research will include surveys, interviews and focus groups with tribal educators, program coordinators and cultural practitioners. A summary of findings is expected by May 2026 and will be shared with MBCI and academic publishers…