Diné College Ganado and Kayenta Centers Officially Closed

News & Events

August 2, 2013

Tsaile, AZ - The Board of Regents at Diné College approved a transition plan that will officially close the College’s Ganado and Kayenta centers. The Centers officially cease operations on August 9, 2013. As a result of Sequestration, coupled with declining enrollment at its Ganado and Kayenta Centers, Diné College like many higher education institutions has been financially impacted.

For Fiscal Year 2014, Diné College is facing a $723,000 reduction in its Title II funding as well as increase in non-discretionary operational expenses. At its Ganado and Kayenta Centers, Diné College has seen enrollment drop significantly in recent years. Ganado had two full time students and Kayenta had no students enrolled. Dean of Academics Abe Bitok noted, “The College is working with these individual students to ensure that the students are provided alternative pathways to continue working toward their degrees”.

Many of the College’s students who take classes at Ganado also attend the Window Rock Center. The short distance between Window Rock and Ganado provides convenient access for students commuting to the Window Campus. Kayenta students have the option of attending the Tuba City Center. With a daily Navajo Transit bus run, this is a viable option. Further, both Northland Pioneer College and Northern Arizona University have satellite sites in the community, thereby offering Navajo students a choice.

With respect to employees at the centers, the College is working to ensure they have a smooth transition to comparable positions where there is need. Mrs. Perphelia Fowler, Director of Human Resources notes, “The College understands that its employees have families to support and we want to ensure that they are given an opportunity to continue their employment with the College”.

“Diné College will continue to provide quality education to the residents Navajo Nation,” said President Maggie George, “This is an opportunity to focus our resources on addressing the numerous academic and capital needs of our multi-campus system.”

Dr. George noted that each remaining site, especially the Tsaile campus, needs extensive capital improvements. The Tsaile campus is over 40 years old and there has been little attention paid to regular maintenance and ensuring facilities meet student needs and technology advancements.

Over the past 20 years, the College has served eight locations across the Navajo Nation in New Mexico and Arizona. Community sites that will remain open in New Mexico are Shiprock and Crownpoint, and in Arizona are Tuba City, Chinle, Window Rock and the flagship campus in Tsaile.