Photo: Rena D. Horse
Sent On Behalf of the Associate Vice President, Student Retention and Academic Success, Dr. Marcellene Watson-Derbigny
After a rigorous search to recruit our new Native Success Coordinator/Counselor position, I am pleased to announce the selection of Rena Horse for the position. As a Unit we are immensely proud of the efforts of the hiring committee and wish to thank the campus and the Division’s leadership for their support of this position. Rena brings a vast array of experiences to the role of the Native Success Coordinator as evidenced by her biography.
Rena Horse is an enrolled member of the Pit River Tribe. She is also Paiute from the Northeastern corner of California and her bands are the Astarawi (Hot-Springs People) and Gidutikad (Ground Hog Eaters). Her pronouns are She/Her/Hers.
As a Sacramento State Alum she earned her bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies with a Native American Studies Concentration. She also holds an Associate of Liberal Arts Degree in General Education from American River College. In addition to these degrees, she earned her Academic Advising Certification from the University of California, Davis. She is a proud first-generation college graduate and also serves as a Culture Representative for the Pit River Tribal Council.
For the more than a decade, she has been a dedicated Student Affairs staff member, serving as an Academic Advisor, as well as an Associate Director to the Native American Academic Student Success Center, at the University of California, Davis. She also served as the Assistant Director to the Native American Resource Center at American River College. Due to her passion and strong personal commitment to serving students from diverse and underserved backgrounds, she is excited to collaborate with the diverse range of programs and communities here at Sacramento State as the Native Success Program Coordinator. She also brings vast knowledge of the campus having worked for the Ethnic Studies Department, under the profound leadership of Dr. Reed.
As a Native American transfer student who benefited greatly from student academic support services at the University, she is looking forward to the opportunity to apply her expertise in culturally competent program development that advances plans to promote the academic achievement of underrepresented and socioeconomically disadvantaged students .Her goals for the Native Student Success Center include development and implementation of programs where Sacramento State becomes the “destination” campus for Native American students, especially from California Indian tribal communities. In addition, another top goal under her leadership includes creating a welcoming space where Native students are supported and honored, and where students feel they have a home away from home. As the new Coordinator of the Center, Rena welcomes working arduously to improve Native American student retention and graduation rates in support of the campus’s imperatives regarding student success.
Overall, Rena brings a true passion and love for life. Her expertise in the community has been shaped by her support of American Indian Education and Cultural programs with community and school programs for the span of many years. Rena enjoys making traditional regalia and artwork. Additionally, she participates in traditional dancing. You can also often find Rena at Powwows and Native ceremonies with her family. Earlier in life, she emerged as an accomplished runner and athlete. To this day, Rena values running, spending time with family and friends as well as camping, fishing, hiking, and swimming. Please join me in welcoming this amazing leader as the new and first coordinator of the Native Student Success Center to be officially launched in fall of 2022. We look forward to the opening of the Native Center as a significant milestone in the history of the University and welcome Rena Horse to her new role.
