This blog post originally appeared on the blog Beyond the Mesas . Earlier this summer the University of Illinois granted me promotion to associate professor with indefinite tenure in American Indian Studies & history. Since then, I've been thinking a lot about my path to tenure, and the road I took to get where I am now. Thirty years ago I wanted to grow up to be an astronaut, a veterinarian, or a professional musician. I did not imagine that I would become a university professor or a "scholar." But when I was a senior in high school, my perspective and desire changed. At this time, I had...