Dana R. Herrera

Dana R. Herrera serves as Professor and Department Chair of Anthropology within the School of Liberal Arts at Saint Mary's College of California. Holding a PhD from UC Davis, she directs departmental operations while teaching core anthropology courses and specializing in technology-infused pedagogy and diaspora studies.

Her academic credentials include:

• PhD in Anthropology, University of California, Davis (2006)
• MA in Anthropology, University of California, Davis (1999)
• BA in Anthropology, Saint Mary's College of California (1997)

Herrera's research examines digital technology's impact on Filipino migration patterns, gaming cultures, and higher education frameworks. She investigates how virtual worlds reshape diaspora connections, analyzes Hawaiian tourism representations in Las Vegas, and develops pedagogical models for technology-enhanced learning. Her work consistently bridges computational social science with ethnographic methods to explore transnational identity formation and digital citizenship.

Recent publications reveal three dominant trajectories: gaming-tourism intersections (particularly Hawaiian diaspora in Las Vegas), digital diaspora communications (focusing on Overseas Filipino Workers), and technology-mediated pedagogy. These strands converge in examining how virtual spaces redefine cultural belonging and economic participation across transnational contexts.

Her scientific recognition includes:

• William R. Eadington Fellowship in Gaming Research (2018)
• Lasallian Scholar Grant, Saint Mary's College of California (2006)
• Irvine Scholar Grant, Saint Mary's College of California (2001)

As an educator, Herrera mentors students through the Foundation Generation Project supporting first-generation college attendees, teaches specialized courses on Filipino diaspora and tourism anthropology, and develops curricula integrating critical thinking with digital literacy. Her administrative leadership extends to university-wide initiatives promoting equity-focused technological integration and career-ready skill development.

Herrera's research teams operate at the intersection of migration studies and digital anthropology, currently investigating emerging technologies' impact on transnational communities while maintaining long-term collaborations with Filipino diaspora organizations and gaming industry partners.