Meet our Faculty - SAHE - Diné College

Dr. Karla Britton, Dean of School of Arts & Humanities

Ph.D., Harvard, History of Architecture
M.A., Columbia University, Composition. Literature
B.A., University of Colorado, History

(928) 724-6958
kmbritton@dinecollege.edu

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Degrees: Ph.D. Harvard University, Architecture and Urban Planning; MA Columbia University, Comparative Literature; BA University of Colorado, Boulder, Intellectual History. Taught: Yale School of Architecture, 2003-2018; Columbia University School of Architecture & Planning (New York/Paris Program), 1996-2003; University of New Mexico, summers 2015-18. New to Diné College for 2018-19.My enthusiasm for teaching art history at Diné College is inspired by my work with students whose energies and visions bring them to a pursuit of art and design. It is grounded in my research and writing on regional identities, art and architectural culture, and sacred buildings and landscapes. I believe that the study and practice of art and architecture offers a more capacious vision of the multiple worlds we inhabit, and helps us to see and understand ourselves more clearly.Art History

The interdisciplinary nature of the study of art history at Diné College stresses the relationships of art and design with the lived experiences of the Diné people today in their cultural, political, spiritual, and social milieus. Supported by a collaborative dialogue with practitioners of a variety of artistic media, as well as faculty from other academic disciplines, the art history curriculum offers a comprehensive approach to the theory and practice of the arts broadly conceived. Within a context of collective research, students (especially in their senior year) interact with their peers and faculty to nurture individual research projects.

Students engage in both coursework and independent study as part of survey courses which present a general introduction to the histories, geographies and significant figures of Native American art in North America. In addition, broad survey courses in World Art present a valuable counterpoint and background for the department’s primary focus on Diné arts and architecture. Advanced 400 level seminars focus on Contemporary American Indian Masters and engage in debates regarding the culture of native arts since 1968, including issues of colonialism, the concept of home and homeland, displacement, political sovereignty, gender, and the environment.

Learning Goals:

–Investigate the role of the artist as a communicator for society and culture

–Explore the relationship between technology, cultural values, and a sense of place

–Reflect on the role of curiosity, appreciation, and different ways of perceiving

–Embrace the interrelatedness of spiritual, performance, and artistic practices

–Develop an understanding of art and architecture expanded beyond the usual boundaries

–Evaluate the effect of commercialization and the Native American art market

Debra Robinson, Instructor

M.S., Ohio University, Journalism
M.A., Ohio University, Applied Linguistics/TESOL
B.F.A., Ohio University, Theater

(928) 724-6713
drobinson@dinecollege.edu

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Nonabah Sam, Adjunct Faculty

University of New Mexico
(928) 724-6981
nsam@dinecollege.edu

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Shaina A. Nez, Senior Lecturer

Ph.D. student, Arizona State University, Justice Studies
M.F.A., Institute of American Indian Arts, Creative Nonfiction
B.A., Fort Lewis College, English-Writing

(505) 368-6334
shainez@dinecollege.edu

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Don Whitesinger, Associate Professor

M.A.T., Rhode Island School of Design
B.A., Arizona State University, Studio Arts
A.A., Institute of American Indian Arts, 2/D Art

(928) 724-6963
dwhitesinger@dinecollege.edu

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Irvin Morris, Instructor

A.B.D., State University of New York-Buffalo, American Studies/Native American Studies
M.F.A., Cornell University, Creative Writing/Fiction
B.A., University of California-Santa Cruz, Literature/Creative Writing
A.F.A., Institute of American Indian Arts, Creative Writing

(928) 724-6964
imorris@dinecollege.edu

Matthew Bollinger, Assistant Professor

M.F.A., San Francisco Art Institute, Master of Architecture, University of New Mexico
B.A., Fine Arts, University of New Mexico

(928) 724-6961
mbollinger@dinecollege.edu

Orlando White, Instructor

M.F.A., Brown University, Literary Arts
B.F.A., Institute of American Indian Arts, Creating Writing
A.S., College of Eastern Utah, Liberal Arts

(928) 724-6615
owhite@dinecollege.edu

Velma Hale, Instructor

M.A., Northern Arizona University, Bilingual-Multicultural Education
B.S., Northern Arizona University, Secondary Education

(928) 724-6617
vhale@dinecollege.edu

Gabriela Cruz, Professor

M.F.A, University of Texas at San Antonio, Studio Arts
B.F.A, Sam Houston State University, Studio Arts

(928) 724-6618
gcruz@dinecollege.edu

Dr. Alysa Landry, Instructor

Ph.D., Gratz College, Holocaust and Genocide
M.F.A., Chatham University, Creative Writing
M.A., Emerson College, Journalism
B.A., Brigham Young University, Journalism

(505) 368-3661
alandry@dinecollege.edu