Diné College was recently awarded for their role in planning, alignment and implementation of enrollment initiatives through the Cultivating Native Student Success Grant. The American Indian College Fund honored the college on June 23 during the TCU Capacity for Student Success Conference. (Courtesy of Diné College)
Diné College was recently awarded for their role in planning, alignment and implementation of enrollment initiatives through the Cultivating Native Student Success Grant. The American Indian College Fund honored the college on June 23 during the TCU Capacity for Student Success Conference. (Courtesy of Diné College)

Diné College was honored by the American Indian College Fund for its exceptional work as a recipient of the inaugural 2026 Strategic Enrollment Management Planning Committee of the Year on June 23.

The formal recognition took place during the TCU Capacity for Student Success Conference hosted at Sitting Bull College in Fort Yates, North Dakota. The award celebrates the outstanding planning, alignment, and implementation of various enrollment initiatives made possible through the Cultivating Native Student Success Grant.

The award highlights the operational reach that linked frameworks from the main campus to extended locations.

These include the Shiprock Branch Campus, Crownpoint Center, Window Rock Center, Tuba City Center, Newcomb Microsite, Aneth Microsite, and Tsaile Campus.

A core pillar of the recognized growth is the Dual Credit Program, said the college, which has successfully accelerated student enrollment, broadened access, and strengthened academic transitions for high school students across all institutional campuses and sites.

During the conference, Diné College led multiple critical presentations showcasing their institutional methodologies including higher education marketing, culturally inclusive activities, dual credit enrollment management frameworks, and agile adjunct faculty teaching models.

“We are incredibly pleased with the committee’s profound dedication, meticulous planning, and innovative practices in driving enrollment and defining student success at our institution,” said Winifred Jumbo, director of External Campuses and principal investigator for the CNSS Grant. “This recognition highlights how our extended campuses and the Dual Credit Program are collaborating to build sustainable institutional growth and meaningful community commitment.”

Moving forward, Deborah Dennison, president of Diné College, said she is remaining fully committed to supporting all upcoming initiatives, including finalizing the comprehensive SEMP and rigorously implementing Key Enrollment Indicators to secure long term academic excellence.

alee@tricityrecordnm.com