Shandiin Herrera

Shandiin Herrera is a citizen of the Navajo Nation from Monument Valley, UT.  Shandiin recognizes the power of using her voice in spaces where Native people are absent. Her role as a Diné woman, an advocate for Indigenous rights and a policy student have influenced her passion for public service. She is dedicated to fostering the growth of Native students, to engage and advocate for policies that directly impact Indigenous people and wants to inspire her peers by engaging Native youth in the political process. Shandiin was a Gates Millennium Scholar, a Udall Scholar and a Chief Manuelito Scholar.

She is currently a Lead for America Hometown Fellow, working with Yee Ha’ólníí Doo d.b.a Navajo & Hopi Families COVID-19 Relief Fund, coordinating food and supply distributions for elderly and immunocompromised in her community. Additionally, she works tirelessly to find opportunities for community engagement projects and youth mentorship. Shandiin holds a bachelor’s in Public Policy from Duke University.

What does civic engagement mean to you?

“When I think of civic engagement I think of community involvement and catalyzing change in a community. There are many levels to this and so many ways individuals can show up for their community. However, it is important to recognize that there is no one solution to the challenges we are facing today, but that engaging in various facets of our communities is what will drive sustainable change. This means voting, engaging in community projects, and co-creating the society we want for ourselves, and generations to come.“