About me
Erik "Little Cloud" Sandoval (He/Him) is a Diné and Mexican scholar, community builder, and graduate student in Human Communication Studies at Cal State Fullerton. Born into the Shiprock, NM Chapter of the Navajo Nation and raised in Southern California, he carries the teachings of both sides of his family with him. His work focuses on Indigenous representation, cultural programming, and storytelling. In 2025, he received the Top Paper 2025 at the Eastern Communication Association Conference in Buffalo, New York, for his research on Native American memorable messages in lacrosse. That same year, he was named CSUF Human Communications Studies 2025 Inaugural Undergraduate Researcher Student of the Year, a recognition of his dedication to uplifting Indigenous voices through academic work.
Erik’s path is shaped by the strength and stories passed down from his parents and grandparents. Everything they survived and everything they taught him shows up in how he learns, how he leads, and how he understands communication. Whether he’s behind the powwow drum, dancing, or mentoring younger students with honesty and care, Erik tries to walk in hózhó—balance, beauty, and purpose. And even though he’s still early in his journey, he already knows where he’s headed. His long‑term goal is to earn his PhD and become a professor who serves marginalized communities and reservation schools, building classrooms where Indigenous and Latinx students feel seen, valued, and empowered.
