The Native American Higher Education Resources program is working to support Alaskan Native and Native American students on campus.

NAHER Outreach Specialist Celeste Haydon said the program’s mission is to build a community.

“We would like to make a lasting effect on our students, we want to help them reach their academic goals,” Haydon said.

The program’s outreach comes in many forms. They host various workshops to learn life skills on campus and they have a designated counselor, Dr. Crystal Martinez-Alire. The program is a place where students in need can get school supplies.

As part of Assembly Bill 183, the Native American Student Support and Success Program was established. The bill allocated 30 million dollars to be distributed to 20 California community colleges to build out NASSSP programs.

Cosumnes River College was selected because of their Native American representation in the student body, allowing for the creation of NAHER on campus.

Another aspect of NAHER’s impact at CRC is how they inform, said Director of NASSSP, Dr. Shaina Philpot, the program’s Canvas page lists many resources accessible to students.

“We post scholarship opportunities for our native students,” Philpot said. “Internship opportunities, volunteer opportunities, job opportunities, all those things we have on Canvas.”

The program is located inside the library in room 106-C, in the Center for Inclusion and Belonging.

With Philpot having recently joined the already new department in July 2024, they are in the process of setting roots with plans of a grand re-opening later this year, Philpot said.

NAHER Student Emissary Anaiah Rodriguez knows first hand the experience of a student who feels without place on campus and hopes the space can become welcoming to all students.

“I didn’t know the CIB was a thing really and I did feel really lost,” Rodriguez said. “I think it is important to have a place that you know supports you and I hope people feel comfortable to relax in our space.”