Staff Biography
Olivia Thomas, MSW
Tribal STAR Workforce Development Specialist
othomas@sdsu.edu
Olivia Thomas is our new Workforce Development Specialist and brings with her a deep commitment to tribal communities and education. She is a double alumna of San Diego State University, earning her Bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies in 2021 and a Master’s in Social Work in 2025.
A proud member of the Lummi Nation, located in Washington State, Olivia was born and raised in Palm Springs, California, and has dedicated over 8 years to working with tribal communities in the San Diego region. Her passion for service and advocacy stems from a lifelong involvement in Native Communities.
Olivia is a founding member of the California Indian Nations College (CINC), an institution that provides free tuition for both Native and non-Native students to earn an associate degree and re-engage with higher education. In May 2025, CINC celebrated its largest graduating class to date, with 27 graduates, and continues its efforts toward becoming California’s first stand-alone, fully accredited tribal college.
During her graduate studies, Olivia completed multiple internships that expanded her impact and network. She worked with the Child Welfare Learning and Evaluation Bureau and the Office of Tribal Affairs, building key relationships at the state level. She also served with Acrons to Oak Trees, a program that allowed her to deepen connections within tribal communities through culturally grounded support services.
In her new role, Olivia is excited to continue fostering meaningful relationships and creating pathways for Native communities to thrive in education and building a stronger community.