Summary
Daphne Emm Hooper (Walker River Paiute) serves as the Director of Indigenous Relations. Indigenous Relations engages with Indigenous communities directly to foster strong university-community relations and learn how UNR can best serve the Indigenous peoples in the region. The department works with stakeholders to develop programs that build internal capacity at UNR so that Indigenous students, staff, and students’ needs are met and opportunities are advance. This includes engaging in programming and initiatives designed to help improve outreach, retention, and graduation rates. The department works to advance the hiring of Indigenous faculty, meets with Indigenous students and student groups, and sets policy and vision or larger efforts to use decolonizing methodologies within the University.
Daphne holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science, a Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Management, and a Master of Science Degree in Community Economic Development. Ms. Hooper served as the City Manager for the City of Fernley and has dedicated her career to public service including serving as the Executive Director for Nevada Urban Indians. Ms. Hooper is the co-founder of the Nevada Tribal Leadership Development Program at the University of Nevada, Reno.