ISU NASS members Laticia Herkshan & Effie Hernandez honored at farewell reception
From left, Laticia Herkshan and Effie Hernandez.
By YVONNE WARJACK
Sho-Ban News
POCATELLO — Idaho State University’s Native American Student Services (NASS) hosted a farewell potluck on Friday, November 7, honoring Effie Hernandez and Dr. Laticia Herkshan for their service to Native students, the university, and tribal communities.
The event was at the NASS Center in the ISU Rendezvous Building. Faculty, staff, and students attended the gathering to share food and recognize both women for their leadership and collaboration at ISU. The room was decorated in autumn colors, and a cake reading “To new beginnings in leadership and resilience,” symbolized the next chapter of their professional journeys.
Effie Hernandez served as ISU’s Native American Student Services Coordinator, where she provided academic and cultural support to Native students and coordinated outreach efforts that strengthened tribal-university relations. Her work included organizing events that celebrated Indigenous identity and promoted student engagement across campus.
Dr. Laticia Herkshan served as the Tribal Engagement, Education, and Research Specialist for the Idaho Community-engaged Resilience for Energy-Water Systems (ICREWS) Program, a statewide project funded by the National Science Foundation. Her work connected education, outreach, and research to enhance collaboration between Idaho’s tribal nations and university partners. She built relationships with tribal leaders, facilitated training on ethical research practices, and advocated for equitable student opportunities. She also served on the Tribal University Advisory Board and the Indigenous Peoples’ Day planning committee.
A graduate of ISU, Dr. Herkshan earned multiple degrees from the university, including a Doctor of Arts in Political Science. Her research and outreach focused on increasing Indigenous student participation in STEM and advancing partnerships that promote culturally informed education. Among her proudest moments at ISU were chairing the 2023 Indigenous People’s Day planning committee, helping nominate Shoshoni language instructor Dr. Drusilla Gould for an honorary degree, and presenting research findings on the relationship between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and ISU.
The farewell celebration reflected the theme “Leadership and Resilience,” recognizing their continued commitment to Indigenous education and community engagement. Both Hernandez and Dr. Herkshan have been active contributors to the Tribal University Advisory Board, working to enhance communication, inclusion, and collaboration between ISU and tribal nations.
Dr. Herkshan noted that her upcoming work will remain in education and community engagement, continuing efforts to support Native students and strengthen ethical research partnerships between universities and tribes. She expressed gratitude for the support for the support shown by colleagues and students at the gathering, emphasizing the importance of community connection during times of transition.
The farewell event marked the conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another for two leaders whose work has helped advance Indigenous visibility, education, and collaboration at Idaho State University.
