Diné College Hosts Successful Professional Development Series Focused on Campus Health and Wellness
April 12, 2025
Newcomb, NM. Diné College, in collaboration with the American Indian College Fund’s Cultivating Native Student Success (CNSS) Grant, successfully hosted a professional development series centered on “Campus Health and Wellness”, a key component of the college’s strategic goals. The event was held at the Newcomb Microsite, which drew approximately 50 participants, both in person and online.
The event was held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, and featured two prominent speakers: Rainey Crisp, Athletic Director & Dean of Students at Navajo Preparatory School, and Jonathan Nez, former Navajo Nation President.
Crisp initiated the series with an engaging and collaborative workshop focused on workplace wellness. She emphasized the importance of promoting employee wellness policies, recommending the creation of wellness committees, streamlined communication strategies, and continuous evaluation and adjustment of programs. Crisp highlighted the significance of the holistic wellness wheel, creating a safe and inclusive campus environment, and fostering a sense of belonging for all. She concluded her session by prompting attendees to reflect on personal health goals and obstacles, and led a hands-on activity exploring the concept of a healthy student, staff, and campus.
Following Crisp, Jonathan Nez shared his connection to Diné College, having taken classes there in the past. He underscored the crucial role of staff and faculty in shaping future generations, urging them to embrace new ideas with a holistic approach to education. Nez addressed societal challenges, encouraging perseverance and resilience. He also emphasized the importance of employee benefits, healthy lifestyles, plant-based diets, food security, and the preservation of indigenous seeds. Nez highlighted the educational value of traditional practices like planting in cornfields, promoting intergenerational learning within the Diné College community.
“These sessions are invaluable in enhancing our community at Diné College and ensure we serve our students with their best interests at heart,” said Winifred Jumbo, Director of External Campuses. “We are committed to finding innovative ways to inspire our students, staff, and faculty to engage in working toward our strategic design.”
Sterling Walter, Newcomb Microsite Manager, added, “It was a great opportunity to bring our Diné College students and employees to our Newcomb microsite, showcasing the community and its potential. We hope to continue this series, encouraging staff, students, and faculty to embrace new and creative ideas to improve our services to students.”
The next professional development series will focus on “Holistic Integration” and will be held on May 15, 2025 at the Shiprock Branch campus from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Diné College extends its sincere gratitude to Rainy Crisp, Jonathan Nez, Sterling Walter, and the American Indian College Fund for their invaluable contributions to this transformative professional development series.Student Success (CNSS) Grant, successfully hosted a professional development series centered on “Campus Health and Wellness”, a key component of the College’s strategic goals. The event was held at the Newcomb Microsite, which drew approximately 50 participants, both in-person and online.
The event was held on Thursday, April 10, 2025, and featured two prominent speakers: Rainey Crisp, Athletic Director & Dean of Students at Navajo Preparatory School, and Jonathan Nez, former Navajo Nation President.
Crisp initiated the series with an engaging and collaborative workshop focused on workplace wellness. She emphasized the importance of promoting employee wellness policies, recommending the creation of wellness committees, streamlined communication strategies, and continuous evaluation and adjustment of programs. Crisp highlighted the significance of the holistic wellness wheel, creating a safe and inclusive campus environment, and fostering a sense of belonging for all. She concluded her session by prompting attendees to reflect on personal health goals and obstacles, and led a hands-on activity exploring the concept of a healthy student, staff, and campus.
Following Crisp, Jonathan Nez shared his connection to Diné College, having taken classes there in the past. He underscored the crucial role of staff and faculty in shaping future generations, urging them to embrace new ideas with a holistic approach to education. Nez addressed societal challenges, encouraging perseverance and resilience. He also emphasized the importance of employee benefits, healthy lifestyles, plant-based diets, food security, and the preservation of indigenous seeds. Nez highlighted the educational value of traditional practices like planting in cornfields, promoting intergenerational learning within the Diné College community.
“These sessions are invaluable in enhancing our community at Diné College and ensure we serve our students with their best interests at heart,” said Winifred Jumbo, Director of External Campuses. “We are committed to finding innovative ways to inspire our students, staff, and faculty to engage in working toward our strategic design.”
Sterling Walter, Newcomb Microsite Manager, added, “It was a great opportunity to bring our Diné College students and employees to our Newcomb microsite, showcasing the community and its potential. We hope to continue this series, encouraging staff, students, and faculty to embrace new and creative ideas to improve our services to students.”
The next professional development series will focus on “Holistic Integration” and will be held on May 15, 2025 at the Shiprock Branch campus from 10:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Diné College extends its sincere gratitude to Rainy Crisp, Jonathan Nez, Sterling Walter, and the American Indian College Fund for their invaluable contributions to this transformative professional development series. April 14, 2025
Tsaile, Ariz. April 14, 2025. A fire early this morning caused significant damage to the Student Union Building at Diné College, prompting the temporary closure of key facilities, transitions in operations, and heightened safety measures.
Emergency personnel quickly responded to contain the blaze and safeguard the campus community. No injuries have been reported, and an investigation into the fire’s cause remains ongoing.
Due to structural concerns and safety precautions, the campus will remain closed to the public until further notice. Critical facilities, including the Post Office and the Navajo Nation Child Care/Day Care, are temporarily closed. Access to the affected Student Union Building and its surrounding areas has been restricted, with protective fencing to be installed in the coming days.
“At the center of our response is the safety and well-being of everyone on campus,” said Interim Security Supervisor Emery Deschine. “We are implementing measures to ensure a secure environment while investigations and recovery continue.”
Students at the main campus are encouraged to contact their instructors for details on assignments and homework. Faculty are arranging Zoom links to support remote learning on Tuesday, with in-person classes tentatively scheduled to resume Wednesday. Essential services, including meals and housing, have been relocated to alternative sites to maintain support for students.
Employees on the main campus will have limited access to their offices between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, allowing them to retrieve necessary items while adhering to safety regulations. All other business activities, including Bank ATM services, are postponed or canceled until further notice.
Risk management teams are collaborating with emergency responders and investigators to assess damage and coordinate recovery efforts. To ensure public safety, protective measures around the Student Union Building and other critical areas have been reinforced.
“We are grateful for the swift actions of first responders, faculty, and staff,” said Glennita Haskey, Acting President of Diné College. “The support and resilience of our campus community during this challenging time has been remarkable.”
Campus officials are urging everyone to refrain from circulating unverified information about the incident on social media, emphasizing the importance of relying on official communication for updates.
Further information will be distributed through campus email and emergency notification systems. Updates regarding the reopening of facilities and services will be communicated as they become available. #OperationWarriorStrong
