Molly Tovar

Molly Tovar is the director of the Kathryn M. Buder Center for American Indian Studies and a professor of practice at the Brown School. As the director of the Buder Center, she works to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration, curriculum development, professional development, and community outreach, as well as research to advance the center’s mission to educate American Indian/Alaska Native practitioners and scholars who are committed to addressing issues of social concern in Indian Country.

Tovar collaborates with David Patterson on a research project to study graduates of the Buder Center, their motivations for attending the Brown School, and their accomplishments after graduation. She is also the principal investigator for the SAGE Grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services administration. The intent of the grant is to provide MSW students opportunities to complete a practicum in Indian Country focusing on mental and behavioral health. Additionally, she works with the School of Medicine on the Program for Elimination of Cancer Disparities (PECaD) focusing on AI/AN health disparities.

Tovar’s extensive community service includes leadership on the boards of the Red Earth Museum and FOCUS St. Louis, and membership on the National Congress of American Indian’s Native Financial Education Coalition Advisory Committee.