Michell Hicks, principal chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, has received the prestigious 2005 Outstanding Alumni Award from the American Association of Community Colleges. A 1990 graduate of Southwestern Community College, Hicks was honored April 11 at the AACC Convention in Boston.

The Outstanding Alumni Award is given annually to community college graduates who are making significant contributions in their chosen career fields, in their communities, and in the nation.

At 40, Hicks is the youngest chief to lead his nation and among the youngest to ever serve a Native American Tribe. He has been a tribal employee for 17 years, working around the seat of power in which he now sits. He graduated from Western Carolina University in 1987 with a B.S. degree in business management and then decided to broaden his degree in accounting.

“I was working full time for the tribe so the best route for me was to attend SCC,” said Hicks, who was employed as their assistant business manager from 1987-90. “I was able to take the courses I needed and to sit for my Certified Public Accountant exam.” He became a CPA in 1994 and worked as a senior accountant with Mahoney, Cohen and Co. in their New York and Cherokee offices. He returned to tribal service as executive director of budget and finance in October 2003.