Navajo Technical University: A History of Innovation and Empowerment
Navajo Technical University (NTU), a public tribal land-grant university with its main campus in Crownpoint and Kirtland, New Mexico, and additional sites in Chinle and Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, stands as a testament to the self-determination of tribal nations in shaping their educational destinies. NTU is the largest tribal college in the country and is a 1994 land grant university.
Origins in the Tribal College Movement
NTU's roots are deeply embedded in the tribal college movement, a progressive wave that began in 1966, fueled by experiments in Indian education like the Rough Rock Demonstration School. This movement gained momentum with the establishment of Navajo Community College in 1969. Tribal nations across North America sought to exercise their sovereignty by taking control of their education, challenging the effectiveness of mainstream colleges and universities in serving Native American students. Navajo Technical University, like all tribal colleges and universities, grew out of a prayer in the 1960s that envisioned all tribes moving toward self-determination by expressing their sovereignty and establishing their own institutions of higher education.
From Navajo Skill Center to Crownpoint Institute of Technology
In 1979, the Navajo Skill Center (NSC) was established as part of the Navajo Division of Labor. Its initial intent was to provide vocational training to local communities, offering five full-time programs focused on job skills in areas such as business/office occupations, culinary arts, computer science, and construction trades. The Navajo Nation chartered NTU in 1979 as the Navajo Skill Center and sought to meet the needs of its unemployed population.
In 1982, the Advisory Committee of the Navajo Tribal Council formally recognized the Center as a tribally-chartered entity. The Center's effectiveness was further validated in 1984 when it earned accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
However, it soon became apparent that students desired more than just vocational training. Recognizing this need, the Board of Directors changed the institution's name to Crownpoint Institute of Technology (CIT) in 1985.
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Expansion and Growth as Crownpoint Institute of Technology
As CIT, the institution expanded its educational offerings to include associate-level degrees. Simultaneously, it focused on improving its infrastructure and facilities, enhancing its standing and influence within the academic community. The mandate was a turn from the historical practice of higher education to focus on an abstract liberal arts curriculum and emphasized the teaching of practical agriculture, science, military science and engineering as a response to the industrial revolution and changing social class.
Transition to Navajo Technical College
In 2006, the Navajo Nation Council approved another name change, this time to Navajo Technical College (NTC), under Navajo Nation Council Resolution CN-58-06.
Further Expansion and New Sites
NTC continued to grow, forming a partnership with Workforce Development in 2007 to establish an educational space in Chinle. By 2008, NTC had received site accreditation with the Higher Learning Commission for the Chinle location. In 2012, NTC further expanded its reach by developing another instructional site in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, serving the Four Corners region encompassing Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado.
Becoming Navajo Technical University
A significant milestone was reached in 2013 with the approval of a Master of Arts degree in Diné Culture, Language & Leadership. This marked the final name change to Navajo Technical University. NTU stands today as one of the premier technical vocational universities in the Southwest.
NTU Today: A Multifaceted Institution
Navajo Technical University (NTU) creates a powerful impact for students, taxpayers, and the community. NTU is more than a university. It’s an economic engine, a workforce developer, and a community partner. NTU believes that every student has the innate ability and intelligence to acquire academic and technical skills.
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NTU is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), a community of tribally- and federally-chartered institutions. NTU was created in response to the higher education needs of American Indians.
In March of 2023, Navajo Tech became the first tribal university to offer a PhD program.
General Education at NTU
General Education is the foundation for all degree and certificate programs at Navajo Technical University. It provides students with knowledge, skills, attributes, and values needed to learn actively, communicate clearly, think critically, creatively, and reflectively, and interact effectively in diverse environments.
Assessment of the General Education program takes place one goal/semester. Data summaries of direct and indirect measures are compiled on an annual basis by the University’s Offices of Assessment and Institutional Research. An annual summary that includes recommendations for General Education improvement is prepared by the Student Learning Committee and included in the University’s Annual Student Learning Report.
Note: Certificate students are required to take BCIS- 1115 in their first semester, preferably before but at least concurrently with their English course. Any student seeking a Baccalaureate degree must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours of General Education and 43 credit hours of core courses. ENGL-2210 Prof and Tech.
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