President/Executive Director-Shawn Secatero, PhD
Shawn L. Secatero (Canoncito Band of Navajo)
is a member of the Water’s Edge people and born for the Latino clan. Shawn received his Ph.D. in 2009 from the University of New Mexico and graduated with distinction after completing his dissertation study,Beneath Our Sacred Minds, Hands, and Hearts: Stories of Persistence and Success Among American Indian Graduate and Professional Students. He has worked as a secondary language arts teacher, bilingual program coordinator, youth opportunity program director, and coordinator of student services at the American Indian Graduate Center Gates Millennium Scholars. Dr. Secatero continues his service as a researcher and has established the Striking Eagle Well Being Project to address higher education retention efforts.He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico. He conducts workshops and seminars using his well-being model designed to empower individuals and assist educational programs with life-long learning endeavors at local, state, and international levels. He continues to work as an American Indian cultural consultant for various programs and institutions. Dr. Secatero serves as a board member for the Indigenous Elders of America, Canoncito Band of Navajos 12-member traditional council, and iscurrently president and CEO of Source for Educational Empowerment and Development (SEED) Institute which is a non-profit organization seeking to bridge Indigenous knowledge with Western ways of knowing.
is a member of the Water’s Edge people and born for the Latino clan. Shawn received his Ph.D. in 2009 from the University of New Mexico and graduated with distinction after completing his dissertation study,Beneath Our Sacred Minds, Hands, and Hearts: Stories of Persistence and Success Among American Indian Graduate and Professional Students. He has worked as a secondary language arts teacher, bilingual program coordinator, youth opportunity program director, and coordinator of student services at the American Indian Graduate Center Gates Millennium Scholars. Dr. Secatero continues his service as a researcher and has established the Striking Eagle Well Being Project to address higher education retention efforts.He serves as an adjunct professor at the University of New Mexico. He conducts workshops and seminars using his well-being model designed to empower individuals and assist educational programs with life-long learning endeavors at local, state, and international levels. He continues to work as an American Indian cultural consultant for various programs and institutions. Dr. Secatero serves as a board member for the Indigenous Elders of America, Canoncito Band of Navajos 12-member traditional council, and iscurrently president and CEO of Source for Educational Empowerment and Development (SEED) Institute which is a non-profit organization seeking to bridge Indigenous knowledge with Western ways of knowing.
Executive Assistant/NMAIC Project Developer-Darrell Leighton
Darrell Leighton is of Sicangu Lakota/Ponca/Omaha heritage who has a background in renewable energy (Solar Panel Installation and design), Business Administration, Entrepreneurial Studies, Geospatial Information Technology and Peer Education. A sports minded individual, he continues to help others achieve more, as a former assistant coach for Wrestling at his former high school, he understands the importance of striving under pressure and getting to the next goal.
Office Clerk/Accountant-Bernice Hood
Bernice Hood, from Church Rock, New Mexico, currently residing in Albuquerque, has previously work as a Phlebotomist and attended UNM-Gallup and Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute; studying Office Management. She currently serves SEED Institute as the Office Clerk/Accountant.