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CSU Committees

On behalf of the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), the California State University (CSU) is soliciting and accepting applications for the Systemwide and Campus Committees.  The purpose of the committees is to provide oversight and guidance for the development and implementation of Systemwide and Campus CalNAGPRA and federal NAGPRA compliance, which includes NAGPRA policy development. Nominee candidates will be interviewed by the NAHC for potential Commission nomination and appointment by the CSU Chancellor or the chancellor’s designee.  The CSU is referencing the requirements as outlined in Assembly Bill 389 Section 8028.7 and Section 8028.71 to guide the committee selection and policy development processes.

For more information please see the .

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Sandy Kewanhaptewa-Dixon

Ethnic and Women’s Studies, Tribal Liaison
CPP Native American Studies Representative
Committee Co-Chair

Dixon is currently a full-tenured professor in the Ethnic & Women’s Studies Department and CPP’s Tribal Liaison. She has taught in public, private, tribal and Bureau of Indian Affairs schools. She currently co-chairs the Native American/Indigenous Peoples Caucus and serves as Vice President on the Executive Board for California Indian Nations College (CINC). Dixon was appointed to CPP’s NAGPRA Committee as one of the CSU Representatives on July 10, 2024. 

Dixon received her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University, an MA in Educational Administration from California State University Los Angeles, an MA in Multicultural/Multilingual Special Education from California State University, Los Angeles and a BA is in Special Education from Utah State University.  Dixon was appointed to CPP’s NAGPRA Committee as a CSU Representative on July 10, 2024. 

Dee Manzanares Ybarra (Rumšen Ohlone)

Chairwoman, Rumšen Am:a Tur:ataj Ohlone
Non-Federally Recognized Tribal Representative
Committee Co-Chair 

Ybarra is the Chairwoman of the Rumšen Am:a Tur:ataj Ohlone and participates on the Native American Community Council of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. Ybarra was born and raised in Pomona, CA and retired from the Los Angeles County Falr/Fairplex after more than thirty years. Ybarra spends her time supporting causes associated with protecting human rights and equality for all people including bring awareness to the Missing Murdered Indigenous People. Ybarra was appointed to CPP’s NAGPRA Committee as the Non-Federally Recognized Tribal Representative on July 10, 2024.

John R. Preckwinkle III (Cahuilla)

Tribal Citizen, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians
Federally Recognized Tribal Representative

Preckwinkle is a member of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians. He has served on the Tribe's Cultural Preservation Committee for 11 years, seven of which he served as the committee chair.  

Mr. Preckwinkle is a bird singer from the Kawisiktem clan (Patencio family), which originally dwelled in Tahquitz Canyon, in Palm Springs, CA. He grew up in Northern California and moved to Rancho Cucamonga at the age of 18 to attend the Universal Technical Institute, a technical trade school for automotive mechanics. Upon completion of the 51-week program, he invested in an additional 15-week program specializing in Ford automotive. From there, he moved to Palm Springs to fulfill his dream of one day living on the Agua Caliente Indian Reservation. He continued his love of learning once in the Coachella Valley by taking additional college courses and then ultimately serving on various Tribal committees. Preckwinkle was appointed to CPP’s NAGPRA Committee as a Federally Recognized Tribal Representative on May 12, 2025.