Support Page Content
Meet the Team
Anthony Burris
Assistant Professor of Ethnic Studies and Senior Advisor to the President on Tribal Affiars
Dr. Anthony Burris is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Ethnic Stuides and serves as the Senior Advisor to the President on Tribal Affairs. Dr. Burris earned his Doctorate in Native American Studies from UC Davis. Dr. Burris comes from the Sacramento area and is a citizen of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians. Dr. Burris works with local tribal nations on issues of cultural heritage preservation. Dr. Burris’ research interests include ancestor repatriation, cultural site protection, history, truth-telling, and human rights.
Joaquin Tarango
Advisor to the President for Tribal Community Relations & Native Student Sucess
Joaquin Tarango, Miwok (Wilton Rancheria), graduated cum laude from California State University, Sacramento in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and a strong interest in the field of Behavioral Neuroscience. His cultural heritage as a traditional Miwok dancer, love for helping people, and dedication to education are at his core foundation. He has worked in, and volunteered for, (and in some cases been “voluntold” into,) various roles within the Native American communities and higher education throughout California. He worked directly for his tribe, Wilton Rancheria, in multiple capacities as a tutor, certified Tribal Monitor, Election Commission Spokesperson, and weekly Elder Food Distribution Program volunteer. From 2012 – 2017 Joaquin thoroughly enjoyed working with Native youth in his position as a Residential Assistant (RA and Senior Head RA) with the American Indian Summer Institute of Earth System Sciences through UC, Irvine. In the spring of 2019, he moved from Sacramento once more to begin his professional journey at UC Riverside as a Program Coordinator for Native American Student Programs. Five years later, his journey started a new chapter, returning home with the knowledge, experience, and networks gathered in Southern California to give back to his Tribal communities and alma mater in his new position as Advisor to the President for Tribal Community Relations & Native Student Success at Sacramento State. These opportunities have helped fulfill a career goal developed while attending UCSB (2007-2010). Understanding the need for more direct support of underrepresented groups, he wanted work with and help Native students on a college campus (albeit he originally planned to be a biopsychology professor with his own lab unlocking the mysteries of the brain). He is excited every day for the opportunities and challenges that arise and is honored to be a part of a dedicated team to uplift and empower the Native community and support the students.
TK - Tribal Elder
Coming Soon.
Annette Reed
Dean of Students, Wileety
Dr. Annette L Reed is an enrolled member/citizen of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation of northwest California. She earned a B.A. degree in Native American Studies from the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), a Secondary Teaching Credential from St. Mary’s College, an M.A. in U.S. History from U.C. Davis, and her Ph.D. in Ethnic Studies (Specialization in Native American History/Native Women and California Indian History) from U.C. Berkeley. Annette has worked with students at California State University, Sacramento/Sac State for the past 26 years in various capacities: a Professor in Ethnic Studies and Native American Studies; Director of Native American Studies and Chair of the Department of Ethnic Studies; and currently she serves as the Dean of Students for the Native American College. She believes in preparing our next generation to become leaders within our communities.
Mark Wheeler
Senior Advisor to the President and Chief Administrator of the Office of Tribal Affairs
Professor Wheeler is a longstanding ally of the Native American community. He is grateful to be working with Sac State colleagues in the Office of Tribal Affairs, the Wileety Native American College and the faculty in Native American Studies. Wheeler earned his B.A. in philosophy at Colgate University and his M.A. and Ph.D. in philosophy at the University of Rochester. He has been a professor of philosophy in the CSU since 1995 and is a Full Professor in the Sac State Department of Philosophy. Wheeler pursues research in ancient Western philosophy, contemporary value theory, and contemporary metaphysics. In the larger community, Wheeler serves as President of Compassion for African Villages, an all-volunteer non-profit charitable organization that develops sustainable educational resources for impoverished villages in Southern African nations. He is a member of the Unitarian Universalist religious community. He also practices kung-fu and tai-chi as a member of the White Dragon Martial Arts community. He writes poetry and plays the drums. He lives in Sacramento with his wife Alix and their two kittens Buddy and Dash.