Samantha Alvarez-Santi is the Human Resources Manager at the San Carlos Apache College. Within her position, Samantha manages the College’s Human Resources department which consists of recruitment and selection, new hire processing, training and development, compensation management, performance management, benefits administration, coaching & mediation, policy implementation, and the overall employee life cycle at the College.
Samantha is an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe from the Seven Mile Wash District but is currently a member of and resides in the Peridot District. Her maternal clan is Dis’cheen (red band people) and her paternal clan is t’ú ghàin (white water people).
Samantha graduated from San Carlos High School. She received her Associates of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership from Eastern Arizona College and is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources with Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business.
Samantha brings more than five years of professional Human Resources experience to the College as she worked in tribal government as a Human Resources Specialist with the San Carlos Apache Tribe’s Human Resources Department. Additionally, she has worked in tribal gaming as a Human Resources Trainer with the San Carlos Apache Gaming Enterprise. Within her career she’s held various employee trainings/workshops, developed programs, written and revised policies and procedures, taught customer service classes, became a certified background adjudicator, has worked with and advised over 75 tribal department leaders on Human Resources matters, as well as many other accomplishments to date.
Samantha’s additional administrative expertise includes work with the San Carlos Apache Prosecutor’s Office, and the San Carlos Apache Public Defender’s Office before taking interest in the Human Resources field. Before accepting employment with the College, she also worked with the San Carlos Apache Healthcare Corporation for over 5 years in travel management.
Samantha jokes that she doesn’t believe anyone chooses to work in Human Resources, it’s more of a field you “fall into”. She fell into the field in 2012 and has since fell in love with it. She claims the most rewarding part of the job was witnessing our tribal members secure jobs and grow to be prosperous within their careers. She enjoys working in academia and is honored to serve her community and students at our very own Apache College. Her goal since joining the College is to create a safe, fair, productive, and healthy work environment, which will enable the faculty and staff to flourish within their positions. Within her time at the College she was able to remove all Human Resources functions from tribal government and effectively create the San Carlos Apache College’s first and very own Human Resources department; which is vital for independent accreditation.
As an Apache woman, Samantha proudly upholds the College’s mission of “Nnee bi’at’e’ihii nłdzilgo ádanłzih” which translates to “Upholding the power of Apache Wisdom and Knowledge.” She embraces her Apache heritage and culture, and is thrilled to be a part of a tribal higher education institution which is not only culturally rooted, but supports Native American students to further their careers and obtain an advanced degree to better support their communities. She wholeheartedly supports the Apache Nation building efforts of the College, and believes it’s never too late for anyone to pursue higher educational goals. Samantha stands firmly on the fact that Indigenous people can be, will be, and are successful.