Sarah Hernandez

Curriculum Vitae

Sarah Hernandez

South Dakota State University

Assistant Professor – English and American Indian Studies

Education / Ph.D. University of Colorado at Boulder, English, 2016
Dissertation: “Toward a Dakota Literary Tradition: Examining Dakota Literature through the Lens of Critical Nationalism”
M.A. University of Colorado at Boulder, English, 2005
B.A University of Colorado at Boulder, English and Psychology, 2001
Teaching Experience / American Literature II (ENGL 242): Spring 2017
Composition II (ENGL 201): Spring 2016, Fall 2016, and Spring 2017
American Indian Literatures (ENGL/AIS 445 and 447): Fall 2015 and Fall 2016
Introduction to Ethnic Literature (ENGL 1800): Fall 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, and Fall 2014
Introduction to Women’s Literature (ENGL 1260): Fall 2009 and Spring 2014
Jewish American Fiction (ENGL 3677): Fall 2004
Fellowships, Scholarship
and Other Grants / SDSU Scholarly Excellence Grant, 2016 and 2017
SDSU Dissertation Fellowship for Underrepresented Scholars at South Dakota State University, 2015-2016
CU Graduate School Dissertation Completion Fellowship, 2015 (Declined)
CU Dean’s Graduate Student Research Grant, 2015
CU Beverly Sears Graduate Student Grant, Fall 2015
CU Department of English Travel Grant, Fall and Spring 2015
CU Dissertation Unrestricted Monetary BenefitGrant, Summer 2014
Newberry Summer Fellowship, Summer 2014
Recording the Native Americas: Indigenous Speech and the Politics of Writing
CU Department of English Travel Grant, Spring 2014
Ford Foundation Doctoral Fellowship, 2013 (Honorable Mention)
Rocky Mountain Indian Chamber of Commerce Scholarship, 2009-2014
Publications / Book
Native American Transracial AdopteesTell Their Stories, Lexington Books, 2008.
(Co-written with Rita J. Simon).
Peer-Reviewed Publications
“’Words Have Consequences:’ Reconstructing and Implementing Elizabeth Cook-Lynn's Nation-Centered Literary Theory." Wicazo Sa Review 31.1 (2016): 64-74.
Other Publications
“Investing in Native Youth: Grantmaking Trends from the Native Youth and Culture Fund.” First Nations Development Institute, 2015. (Co-written with Tawny Wilson)
“Informing Strategies to End Senior Hunger in Native Communities.” First Nations Development Institute, 2015. (Co-written with Vena A-dae Romero)
“On the Ground Perspectives: Conducting Food Sovereignty Assessments in Native Communities.” First Nations Development Institute, 2014. (Co-Written with Vena A-dae Romero, Dana Elderidge, and Vicky Karhu).
“Reclaiming Native Food Systems, Part II: Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation for Supporting Senior Health and Wellness.” First Nations Development Institute, 2014.
“American Indian Leadership: Strengthening Native Communities and Organization.” First Nations Development Institute, 2014. (Co-written with Vicky Stott and Raymond Foxworth).
“Reclaiming Native Food Systems, Part I: Indigenous Knowledge and Innovation for Supporting Health and Food Sovereignty.”First Nations Development Institute, 2013.
“Relationships, Respect and Revitalization: A Guide for Native American Education and Philanthropy.” American Indian College Fund, 2006. (Co-written with Nicole Adams and TashinaEtter).
Presentations and Working Papers
“Merging Art and Politics: Literary Representations of Mni Sosa (or the Misouri River).” Native American Literature Symposium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, March 2017.
“Indigenous Voices: Past and Present.” Invited Talk at Madison Public Library. Madison, South Dakota. February 2017.
“‘Thus Little Fallen Star was Born’: Analyzing Ella Deloria’s Literary Translation Method.” English at the Pub, Brookings, South Dakota, February 2017.
“Our Own Words: Oak Lake Writers Documentary and Discussion Panel.” South Dakota Festival of Books, Brookings, South Dakota, September 2017. (With Elizabeth Cook-Lynn, Richard Meyers, Gabrielle Tateyuskanskan, and Patty Bordeaux Nelson)
“Colonizing and Decolonizing the Dakota Literary Tradition: The Process of Claiming, Reclaiming, and Revitalizing Dakota Language and Literature.” Consider the Century Conference, Brookings, South Dakota, October 2016.
“Colonizing and Decolonizing the Dakota Literary Tradition: A Comparative Analysis of Deloria and RiggsO-hun-ka-ka Stories.” Native American Literature Symposium, Albuquerque, New Mexico, March 2015.
“Ella Deloria: Keeper of the Stories.” Keynote Address. Center for Native American and Indigenous Studies, Boulder, Colorado, March 2015.
“Indigenizing Visual and Literary Texts.” Newberry Center for American Indian Studies (NCAIS) Graduate Student Conference, Chicago, Illinois, July 2015.
“Re-imagining the Dakotah Nation as a Modern Construct in Elizabeth Cook-Lynn’s Aurelia: A Crow Creek Trilogy.” Native American Literature Symposium, Mystic Lake, Minnesota, March 2014
With Penelope Kelsey. “Re-Authorization of the Violence against Women Act: Violence in Indian Country.” Boulder, Colorado, May 2013.
Professional Experience / First Nations Development Institute, 2012-2015
Part-Time Project Coordinator
Longmont, CO
  • Co-authored several reports related to the Native non-profit sector including topics on: Native health and nutrition; Native youth and cultural advancement; and Native asset-building and economic development to name a few.
  • Conducted literature reviews and collaborated on the development of products for dissemination, including evaluation and research reports for funders and grantees as well as training and web-based materials.
  • Interviewed grantees for monthly newsletter stories highlighting community-based initiatives that focused on reclaiming and revitalizing traditional Native American culture, language, and lifeways.
Native American Finance Officer Association, 2009-2010
Education Coordinator
Phoenix, AZ
  • Managed education and scholarship programs intended to increase the number of Native American students entering the fields of business and finance.
  • Developed curriculum and organized presentations and other activities for Native students enrolled in the NAFOA-LEAD Summer Business Institute (SBI) hosted at Dartmouth College, Northwestern University, and Stanford University.
  • Traveled to reservation and non-reservation communities to recruit Native high school students for the NAFOA-LEAD SBI.
  • Helped Native high school students write and revise business, college admission, and scholarship essays.
  • Increased NAFOA’s visibility in the Native community by developing contacts with appropriate staff members at high schools and colleges and by calling, texting, and emailing students and parents directly to promote upcoming programs.
  • Wrote reports, press releases, brochures, flyers, webpages, and grant proposals.
American Indian College Fund, 2006-2008
Scholarship Coordinator
Denver, CO
  • Disbursed 3.1 million dollars in scholarship funds to tribal college students and compiled more than 300 scholarship reports a year for major donors.
  • Traveled to several tribal colleges to recruit for AICF’s special scholarship program.
  • Maintained close relationships with financial aid staff and students at tribal colleges.
  • Helped write, research, and edit “Grant Making Strategies: A Guide for Native American Education and Philanthropy.”
American University, 2005-2008
Washington Internship for Native Students Program
Writing and Research Assistant
Washington, DC
  • Helped write and research a book entitled Native American Transracial Adoptees Tell Their Stories with Professor Rita Simon at American University which was published by Lexington Books in March 2008.
  • Conducted more than 30 personal interviews, utilized appropriate databases, and analyzed relevant literature to gather information for this monograph.

Memberships

  • Oak Lake Writers Society
  • Active member of the Oak Lake Writers Society, a statewide network for Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota writers, who regularly present, publish, and conduct research on Oceti Ŝakowiŋ culture and language.
  • Attend annual writing retreat, meetings and other events aimed at increasing the literary efforts of Dakota, Lakota, and Nakota writers.
  • Brookings Reconciliation Council
  • Active member of the Brooking Reconciliation Council, a 501(c)3 that supports local efforts to increase awareness and consciousness of diverse communities.
  • Attend quarterly meetings and other cross-cultural activities and events.
  • South Dakota Humanities Council Speakers Bureau
  • Active member of the South Dakota Humanities Council Speaker Bureau, a program that connects intellectuals and scholars with 72 communities located in South Dakota. Speakers are invited to speak at community-based events and for a variety of other organizations.