Bryan Lussier Jr. of Red Lake Nation College

Bryan Lussier Jr. grew up in Bemidji and returned to Red Lake in 2016. He loves doing everything outdoors, traveling, and taking his kids on random adventures. Since starting college at RLNC, Bryan has been on the president’s list twice and has maintained a 4.0 GPA. He was also invited to attend the 2024 AIHEC Legislative Summit in Washington, DC, and has been involved with student government. Bryan also participated in the 2024 AIHEC Student Conference in Minneapolis. With all of these incredible experiences, he said one of his most significant achievements was simply attending college.

When asked where he gets his inspiration to do well in school, Bryan responded, “My kids, my mother and father, and my girlfriend—they are all some of my biggest supporters.” He said the big step in going back to school was starting over again, but he knew he needed a change. He chose RLNC because he knew he needed to further his education. He enjoys the friendly environment and the accommodating staff, helping him accomplish all his goals.

Bryan chose RLNC because he knew he could get back in touch with his culture, which he didn’t have growing up. Language is one of the most significant factors for Bryan because his goal is to help revitalize the Ojibwe language. Additionally, he knew that RLNC would be a great place to start because of our close-knit community.

After RLNC, Bryan plans to continue his education in construction management at Bemidji State University. He is interested in helping the community increase its use of solar energy.

Bryan’s advice for other RLNC students is to practice time management, write things down, and communicate. “Getting out and socializing has helped me grow and make friends, and has led me to where I am today,” he says.