When Chase Sheriff was a student at Cal State Fullerton, he imagined a space where students could feel a strong sense of belonging on campus.
Surrounded by faculty, staff, students, fellow alumni and university leaders, Sheriff saw that vision come to life at the grand opening of the university’s Native American and Indigenous Resource Center.
“Beyond building community, there needs to be resources and support, and that’s what this center will do for students,” said Sheriff ’19 (B.S. mechanical engineering), who was part of the student group that led the effort for a new center.
Open to all students, the Native American and Indigenous Resource Center is the newest addition to CSUF’s Diversity Initiatives and Resource Centers. Its mission centers on belonging, education, engagement and honoring cultural traditions.
In addition to hosting community-building events, the center provides academic support and professional development opportunities to help students achieve their goals.
Vanessa Cota, the coordinator for the center, said that the opening is a testament to the power of student-led advocacy and cross-campus collaboration.
“It’s important to look back on the work that our community members have done and will continue to do,” said Cota. “It’s an honor to share this space and be part of such a great milestone for Cal State Fullerton and for the California State University system.”
Fellow alum Anna Tiger ’13 (B.A. art) spoke to the importance of community and the impact that it had on her college experience and career path.
“Being part of CSUF’s Inter-Tribal Student Council taught me something I couldn’t find in a textbook: Leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about holding space for others,” said Tiger, who now serves as an outreach coordinator for United American Indian Involvement Inc.
Returning to campus to celebrate the center opening, Tiger said she’s excited to see that students today have even more opportunities to get involved in their community: “I see the growth, strength and the way our students are carrying the flame higher and higher.
“As I look around today, I see future leaders, artists, educators, healers and protectors of our community. You are already making change simply by being you. My hope is that you continue to build this space the way our ancestors taught — with respect, courage, humor and care for one another.”
Estre Perez, president of CSUF’s Inter-Tribal Student Council, expressed hope for future collaboration and continued growth to support student success.
“We’re looking forward to forming more connections across campus and expanding on what we’ve built here,” said Perez, a transfer student from Río Hondo College studying gender and sexuality studies.
This is Cal State Fullerton’s second resource center to open this year, following the launch of the Southwest Asian and North African Resource Center.