EWU Alumna to Lead Eastern’s Tribal Relations Office

Cola Boyer, an Eastern graduate who has excelled in training next-generation tribal leaders, was recently named the university’s new director of tribal relations.

Boyer ’20 says she’s “incredibly excited” to return to EWU where, she adds, “I’m going to be in a place where I can make a difference with tribal relations and tribal communities.”  

EWU President Shari McMahan said Boyer, an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of the Fort Hall Reservation, brings a wealth of knowledge, cultural advocacy and relationship-building experience to the role. “We’re confident in her abilities to lead with passion and dedication in fulfilling the mission of EWU,” McMahan said.

Prior to accepting her position at Eastern, Boyer established herself as a force in leadership training and development via her role as administrator of the Kalispel Leadership Academy, a tribal education program established by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Her success with the academy was recently recognized by the Spokane Journal of Business, which last year selected Boyer as a “rising star.”

As an alumna, Boyer has stayed active at EWU by volunteering, most notably as a member of the EWU Alumni Association Board of Directors. What stands out about her service, says Kelsey Hatch-Brecek, director of alumni relations, is her collaborative leadership style.

“Cola makes everybody just come together. She is all about unity and how we can use even our differences to come together,” Hatch-Brecek says. “I’m really excited for the doors she will open here.”

For her part, Boyer says her leadership role at Eastern will allow her to grow a stronger campus presence for Native people, helping both students and tribal community members overcome obstacles, and build upon successes, as they go forward.

“I look forward to spending some more time with all the faculty and staff and really building that strong collaboration with everybody,” she says.