By Jennifer K. Morita

November 12, 2024

University President Luke Wood announced the creation of Sacramento State Native American College, the first of its kind in California, offering students an inclusive, Native-based education that fosters connections to community and tribal government.

Wood and Annette Reed, who is the new college’s inaugural dean of students, made the announcement Nov. 8 in the state Capitol’s Assembly chamber. They were joined by Assemblymember James Ramos, the first California Native American elected to the state Legislature; Jesus Tarango, chairman of Wilton Rancheria; and CSU Board of Trustees Chair Jack B. Clark Jr.

“It’s a first initiative of its kind to serve Native and Indigenous students,” Wood said. “We’re not establishing a program or a center, this is a college that is designed for those interested in learning more about Native life, history and culture and is led by a powerful leader and respected educator in our Native community.

“We want to serve as the place where Native students want to come and study and learn and grow in an environment that is intentionally designed to serve them.”

Members of several Sacramento-area tribes sang and danced in celebration of California Indian Cultural Education Day.

“They were there supporting California Indian Cultural Education Day and paving the way for this transformative announcement,” Wood said. “I expect that, through this initiative, we will have the largest population of Native students in all of California.”

Ramos emphasized the importance of the new college.

“This new Sacramento State Native American College is a testament to the power of education in preserving and uplifting our tribal nations,” said Ramos, who is a member of the Serrano/Cahuilla Tribe.

“It’s inspiring to see a university take such bold action to provide culturally relevant opportunities for Native students while building bridges between academia and tribal communities. I commend Sacramento State for setting a precedent that I hope others will follow.”

“We’re not establishing a program or a center, this is a college that is designed for those interested in learning more about Native life, history and culture and is led by a powerful leader and respected educator in our Native community." -- Sacramento State President Luke Wood

Reed, who is an enrolled member of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, addressed the children who were sitting at legislators’ desks.

“Each of you have superpowers,” she said. “Part of your superpowers could be education, and part of your superpowers can be knowing your Native culture.

“I’m really happy to see you. … I’m looking forward to seeing you one day at Sacramento State, hopefully, or any other college you want to go to.”

The first cohort of Sacramento State Native American College students will enroll for the Fall 2025 semester.

The new college will offer a diverse range of programs that integrate academic excellence with tribal values, traditions and community engagement.

“I really look forward to focusing on educating and training young leaders so our tribal communities can be even more successful than they are now,” Reed said.

“We are going to keep connected with our Native communities, and they are going to be an integral part of this college.”

“We’re hopeful that this will spur other colleges and universities to go beyond the usual and lean into supporting Native communities,” Wood said.

Interested students can apply for the Sacramento State Native American College after being accepted into Sac State through CSU’s general application process. The college is open to first-year or transfer students, as well as students beginning their junior year.

All students will minor in Native American Studies, with an emphasis on Native American Leadership, and can pursue any major the University offers.

The Sacramento State Native American College will provide career and leadership-focused activities and training in addition to student support services. Student support services will be accessible through the Sacramento State Native American College and provide a more fluid pathway through the University. Each student will have a faculty mentor, and all students will collaborate with their peers through the cohort model, which is designed to create support systems with the potential to become lifetime networks and resources.

Reed said students will have Native American faculty mentors as well.

“This will prepare the next generation of leaders,” she said.

In accordance with state policy, the college is open to students of all races and backgrounds who are interested in learning about Native life, history, and culture.

Sac State also is home to the nation’s first Black Honors College, which offers a comprehensive curriculum focused on the Black and African American experience and is open to students of all races, cultures and majors.