[1] Her work focuses on the theory and development of teaching methodology for Native American art.

She became the school's director from 2006 through 2013 and developed OU’s Native American art history doctoral degree program.

The Paseo Art Association gave her its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010.

[4] In 2014, the Oklahoma Higher Education Heritage Society inducted Watson into their Hall of Fame.

[3] Her former students and colleagues created the Mvhayv Award, a scholarship at the University of Oklahoma in her honor.