Benny Shendo named CU Boulder associate vice chancellor for Native American Affairs

Benny Shendo has been named associate vice chancellor for Native American affairs at the University of Colorado Boulder, Chancellor Philip DiStefano announced Monday.

A graduate of CU Boulder, Shendo is currently a New Mexico state senator and a former tribal administrator and lieutenant governor for the Pueblo of Jemez. He also previously worked at the University of New Mexico and in the dean of students office at Stanford University on Indian affairs issues.

Shendo will join the Office of Government and Community Engagement, where his primary duties will include liaising with tribal governments and communities throughout the state along with working with state and federal entities on tribal affairs and higher education.

“I cannot wait to get started in this new role at CU Boulder to strengthen our relationships with the tribes of Colorado and those historically connected to Colorado and to build a strong, supportive Native American community on campus for our students, faculty and staff,” Shendo said in a news release.

He will join the campus full time on March 1, after relinquishing his seat in the state senate.