Diné College facts for kids
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Former name
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Navajo Community College (1968–1997) |
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| Motto | The Higher Education Institution of the Navajo |
| Type | Public tribal land-grant college |
| Established | 1968 (opened January 20, 1969) |
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Academic affiliations
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Space-grant |
| President | Charles Monty Roessel |
| Students | 2,000 |
| Location |
,
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United States
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| Colors | blue and gold |
| Mascot | Warriors |
Diné College is a special kind of college in Tsaile, Arizona. It's a public college for the Navajo Nation, a large Native American community. This college helps students earn different types of degrees and certificates. It serves the Navajo Nation, which covers about 27,000-square-mile (70,000 km2).
Contents
Discovering Diné College's History
How Diné College Started
Diné College first opened its doors in 1968. It was called the Navajo Community College back then. This college was very important because it was the first one started by Native Americans for Native Americans. The Navajo Nation officially created the college in 1968.
A group of leaders from the Navajo Tribal Council helped guide the new college. They chose the first people to be on the college's Board of Regents. Robert Roessel was the college's first president.
Finding a Home for the College
The college first started in a temporary spot in Rough Rock. The leaders then looked for a permanent place to build the campus. They considered areas like Tsaile, Wheatfields, Many Farms, and Ganado.
After looking closely, the Tsaile–Wheatfields area was chosen. It had lots of water and beautiful forests and lakes. The college was given 1,000 acres for its campus, homes, and shops. In October 1968, this area became the official home. The college also chose a special design for its seal. It was an arrowhead inside a rainbow god, designed by William Morgan.
First Students and Growth
Diné College officially welcomed students on January 20, 1969. There were 40 teachers ready to help. About 340 students enrolled in the first semester. This was the most students the college could handle at the time. Many more students wanted to join, but there wasn't enough space. The college even added evening classes because so many people wanted to learn.
By 1973, over 3,400 students had attended the college. However, only 46 students had earned their associate degrees by then.
Moving to the Permanent Campus
Students began taking classes at the new campus in Tsaile in October 1973. The campus was officially opened on May 14, 1974. Many buildings on campus were built in an eight-sided shape. This design is like the traditional Navajo hogan home. The campus cost about $12 million to build. Some classes were also taught in Shiprock and Fort Defiance.
Changes and Achievements
Tommy Lewis became president in 1992. During his time, the college received more funding. In 1994, Diné College became a land-grant college. This meant it received special support, like many other tribal colleges.
In 1997, the college changed its name from Navajo Community College to Diné College. This new name better showed its connection to the Diné, or Navajo, people.
In 1998, Diné College awarded its first bachelor's degrees. This was for students in the Diné Teacher Education Program. The college library was also renamed the Kinyaa'áanii Charlie Benally Memorial Library.
A big moment happened on May 21, 2011. The women's archery team won a national championship! This was a first for a tribal college team in any major sport.
Learning at Diné College
Diné College offers many ways to learn. Students can earn bachelor's degrees, associate degrees, and certificate programs.
Diné Studies and Culture
The college has a special Center for Diné Studies. This center teaches about Navajo language, history, and culture. It uses important Navajo principles like Nitsáhákees (Thinking), Nahatʼá (Planning), Iiná (Living), and Siihasin (Assurance). This helps students get ready for future studies and jobs in a diverse world.
Environmental Studies
The college also has a Uranium Education Program at its Shiprock campus. This program helps the Navajo people learn about radiation and environmental health. It focuses on issues from past uranium mining on the Navajo Nation. It also looks at other important environmental topics.
Exploring Diné College Campuses
The main campus of Diné College is in Tsaile. Tsaile is a small community in Apache County, Arizona. Diné College also has five other branch campuses. Two are in Apache County, Arizona (Chinle and Window Rock). One is in Coconino County, Arizona (Tuba City). Two more are in New Mexico: one in McKinley County (Crownpoint) and one in San Juan County (Shiprock).
Living on Campus
The main Tsaile campus has eight dorm buildings. Each dorm has fifteen rooms and can house about 150 students. These buildings are shaped like octagons, just like the traditional Navajo hogan. The college calls them "hooghan away from hogan."
The residence life office is in Ch'ó (Spruce) Hall. Here are some of the dorms:
- Deestsiin (Pinyon) Hall (Co-ed)
- K'ai' (Willow) Hall (Co-ed)
- Ndíshchíí' (Pine) Hall (Co-ed)
- Sáá' (Maple) Hall (Co-ed)
- T'iisbéí (Aspen) Hall (Honors, Co-ed)
- T'iisbáhí (Elm) Hall (Female only)
- T'iistsoh (Cottonwood) Hall (Female only)
- Tséch'il (Oak) Hall (Male only)
- Gad (Juniper) Hall (Family housing)
There is also housing for faculty members on campus. Students living in family housing attend schools in the Chinle Unified School District. Tsaile Elementary School is near the college. All students from this area go to Chinle High School.
How Diné College is Managed
A group of eight people called the Board of Regents leads the college. The Navajo Nation Council's Government Services committee approves these members. The name Diné means "the people" in the Navajo language. It is the traditional name for the Navajo.
Notable Alumni
- Carmelita Little Turtle: A photographer with Apache and Rarámuri heritage.
- Nicco Montaño: A professional Mixed Martial Artist. She was the first UFC Women's Flyweight Champion and the first UFC Champion of Navajo descent.
See also
