The Office of Native American Programs and Tribal Relations mourns the loss of a member of our extended Coug community, Dr. Raphael Guillory—49 years young. He passed away on Sunday, November 29th, after a battle with cancer. Raphael, a descendant of the Nez Perce Tribe, grew up in Lapwai, Idaho, on the Nez Perce Reservation. Raphael earned his bachelor’s degree at Eastern Washington University, before attending Washington State University. At WSU, he earned a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and, in 2002, a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership. He went on to become a Professor of Psychology at Eastern Washington University. Throughout his academic career, Raphael was a staunch advocate for Native American and other underrepresented students in Higher Education. Among other things, he authored influential articles that shed light on the factors leading to Native student success in college.
Many of Raphael’s family members are also part of the WSU community. His father, Dr. Geoffrey Guillory, recently retired after many years of service as WSU’s Director of Diversity Education. Brother Justin, President of Northwest Indian College, also earned his master’s and doctoral degrees at WSU. Sister Veneice Guillory-Lacey earned her Ph.D. in Education at WSU earlier this year. His wife Gloria, also Nez Perce, earned her baccalaureate degree at WSU. Raphael is deeply mourned by these family members and by his mother Connie, brother Ricky Jo, children Imani Cloud, Sophia Morceaux, Xavier Raphael, Aiva Consuelo Rosa, and Adoniah Rena Faye.
We all grieve the loss of a great family man, friend, and Native education leader, yet we also celebrate his devotion to lead a life of great impact and care for others. We send our deepest condolences to Raphael’s parents, children, family and loved ones, the Nez Perce Tribe, Higher Education, his church, and everywhere else that he left a loving mark.
See WSU Native American Programs for story (click here).
