Diné College

Diné College
Motto	The Higher Education Institution of the Navajo
Established	1968
Type	Tribal College
President	Marie Etsitty (Interim)
Students	2,000
Location	Tsaile, Arizona, USA
Mascot	Warrior
Website	Diné College

Diné College is a two-year, tribally controlled community college, serving the 27,000 square-mile (about 70,000 km²) Navajo Indian Reservation, which spans the states of Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah.

Its main campus is in Tsaile, an unincorporated community in Apache County, Arizona. It also has seven other campuses on the reservation in Arizona (three in Apache County (Chinle, Ganado, and Window Rock), one in Coconino County (Tuba City), and one in Navajo County (Kayenta)) and New Mexico (one in McKinley County (Crownpoint) and one in San Juan County (Shiprock)). The college is directed by an eight-member Board of Regents confirmed by the Government Services Committee of the Navajo Nation Council. The name Diné comes from the traditional name for the Navajo, meaning "the people."

Current enrollment is 1,830 students, of which 210 are degree-seeking transfer students for four-year institutions. The main Tsaile campus includes eight 15-room dormitories housing about 150 students: each octagonally shaped unit has a fireplace in the center, and is described by the college as a "hooghan away from hogan" -- a reference to the traditional circular Navajo hogan dwelling.

Scholarships available through the American Indian College Fund (AICF)

History

The college was first opened in 1968 as the Navajo Community College, the first college established by Native Americans for Native Americans. Originally Housed at the Rough Rock Community School while current location was under constructions. Robert Roessel was an advocate for the Navajo language and culture. Although Rosessel was white the Navajo had much respect and considered him a Navajo Elder.^[1] He stayed at Rough Rock while the College moved to Tsaile.

Ned Hatathli became the first president of Navajo Community College in 1969 when it relocated to its new location in Tsaile. Hatathli's presidency ended when he accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun on October 16, 1972.

Tommy Lewis became president in August 1992 and funding from the BIA was around $4 million a year. Under his leadership, funding from the BIA increased to about $7.3 million a year in 2000. The usage of the Navajo Language Culture was strengthened and the Board made a decision to use it throughout the institution. Under the 1994 Equity in Education legislation of the US Congress, it became a Land Grant Institution, joining the ranks of the 1864 and 1890 land grant colleges. During the Summer of 1997 the Administration changed their name from Navajo Community College to Diné College to reflect their name for themselves meaning The People. In 1998, Diné College bestowed its first baccalaureate degrees under the Diné Teacher Education Program, accredited under a partnership with Arizona State University.

In 1998, the Library was rededicated the Kinyaa'áanii Charlie Benally. Lewis became president in Library.^[2]

On May 21, 2011, the women's archery team made history by winning the United States college national championship in compound bow. ^[3] This is believed to be the first time a tribal college team has won the top-level intercollegiate national championship event in any sport.

Programs

• The Center for Diné Studies, whose goal is to apply Navajo Saʼąh Naagháí Bikʼeh Hózhǫ́ǫ́n principles to advance quality student learning through Nitsáhákees (Thinking), Nahatʼá (Planning), Iiná (Living) and Siihasin (Assurance) in study of the Diné language, history, and culture in preparation for further studies and employment in a multi-cultural and technological world.

• The Uranium Education Program at the Shiprock campus, an empowerment program for Navajo concerning radiation and environmental health issues arising from the legacy of former uranium mining/milling operations and other serious environmental impacts on the Navajo reservation.

• The Institute for Integrated Rural Development (IIRD) was established in 1996 by the Diné College Board of Regents as part of their Strategic Plan for carrying out their responsibilities as a 1994 Land-Grant Institution. IIRD is charged with developing and administering education, research, economic, and community-based projects that promote and demonstrate sustainability in food production, agriculture sciences, rural community development, health and environment, government, economic development, and natural resource management.

Degree programs

• (AA) Associate of Art:
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Information Systems
  • Diné Studies
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Elementary Education
  • Fine Arts
  • Liberal Arts
  • Navajo Language
  • Social & Behavioral Science
  • Social Work (Shiprock Campus ONLY)

• (AS) Associate of Science:
  • Computer Science
  • Environmental Sciences
  • Biology Option
  • General Science Option
  • Health Occupation Option
  • Mathematics Option
  • Physics Option
  • Public Health
  • Public Health Ed Socio-Cultural Option
  • Public Health Envir Public Health Option

• (AAS) Associate of Applied Science:
  • Business Management
  • Computer Science
  • Office Administration

Notable people

Professors

• Irvin Morris, author, From the Glittering World: A Navajo Story (1997)
• Anna Lee Walters, author, Ghost Singer (1988)
• Orlando White, poet, "Bone Light" (2009)^{[citation needed]}

References

1. ^ http://www.tribalcollegejournal.org/roessel.htm
2. ^ http://library.dinecollege.edu/
3. ^ "US Intercollegiate Archery Championships". http://www.ianseo.net/Details.php?toId=154. Retrieved 2011-07-01. 

External links

• Official webpage
• Center for Diné Studies
• Uranium Education Program

Coordinates: 36°19′13″N 109°13′51″W / 36.32038°N 109.23088°W / 36.32038; -109.23088