Dr. Mary Jane Schneider helped found the Department of Indian Studies and became part of the faculty in 1977. While living in North Dakota, she conducted ethnological fieldwork with the Mandan and Hidatsa. Her scholarship consists of numerous conference papers, book reviews, published papers, and several monographs, including a textbook titled North Dakota Indians: An Introduction. In 1992, she was named the Chester Fritz Distinguished Professor of Indian Studies. After retiring from UND as Professor Emerita, Dr. Schneider moved to Norman, Oklahoma where she teaches part-time for the Anthropology Department at the University of Oklahoma. She is currently working on several projects.

Dr. Schneider and her husband, Dr. Fred Schneider, were recipients of the 2003 Plains Anthropological Society Distinguished Service Award at the 61st Plains Anthropological Conference held in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Established in 1991, the Distinguished Service Award is given in honor of outstanding achievement in Plains anthropological research, scholarship, teaching, and service to the profession. Dr. Mary Jane Schneider received the award in honor of her contributions to American Indian studies and Great Plains cultural anthropology.