WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Tom Udall thanked Udall Foundation Native American Congressional Intern Shandiin Herrera for her work as an intern in his Washington, D.C., office this summer. During her ten weeks on Capitol Hill, Herrera worked primarily on issues related to Indian affairs.
“U.S. Senate interns gain invaluable experience as they learn to navigate the nation’s legislative process and the Capitol’s halls,” Udall said. “It has been a pleasure to work with Shandiin this summer, and I hope that she finds her experiences during this internship rewarding as she finishes college and begins her career.”
Herrera said she applied for an internship with Senator Udall through the Udall Foundation Native American Congressional Internship program because she wanted to gain a deeper understanding of the complexities tribal nations face in pursuing federal policy change.
“I witnessed first-hand the hard work Senator Udall and his staff do on behalf of constituents — from drafting correspondence letters, to preparing for hearings, to conducting meetings with various stakeholders,” Herrera said. “I enjoyed engaging with important policy issues that I am passionate about.”
Herrera is the daughter of Jenae and Jose Herrera. A member of the Navajo Nation, she graduated from Monument Valley High School in Kayenta, Arizona. She is currently a senior at Duke University, where she studies public policy and is vice president of Alpha Pi Omega, executive member of the Native American Student Alliance, and a member of the women’s club basketball team.
