"President/Chief Executive Officer"

Job Details

About Diné College

Founded in 1968, Diné College is the first tribally controlled and accredited college in the United States. Its establishment was a visionary step by the Navajo Nation to empower its citizens through education. Today, Diné College remains the oldest and largest tribal college, serving as both an academic institution and a cultural home for the Navajo people.

The main campus in Tsaile (Tsééhílí), Arizona, near Canyon de Chelly and the four sacred mountains, is complemented by campuses in Window Rock, Tuba City, Shiprock and Crownpoint; the Newcomb microsite in New Mexico; and the Aneth microsite in Southeast Utah. Together, they provide affordable, accessible, and culturally grounded higher education across the Navajo Nation’s 27,000 square-mile territory.

Diné College enrolls 1,500 students annually, offers certificates, associate and bachelor’s degrees, and select graduate programs, all grounded in Diné philosophy, language, and worldview. With a low student-to-faculty ratio, the College fosters academic success and personal growth while blending traditional knowledge with modern learning. Through teaching, research, and community engagement, Diné College strengthens the sovereignty, culture, and future of the Navajo Nation.

Role of the President

The President/ CEO provides strategic leadership for Diné College, ensuring the institution’s mission, rooted in Diné educational philosophy, is fulfilled. Reporting directly to the Board of Regents, the President advances academic excellence, strengthens cultural identity, and promotes the long-term vitality of the College in alignment with the priorities of the Navajo Nation.

Key Challenges and Opportunities

● Financial Strength – Strengthen the college’s finances through strategic budgeting, partnerships, funding diversification, and revitalizing the college’s foundation.

● Government & Community Relations – Rebuild relationships with state, Navajo Nation, and federal partners, and advocate for legislative support, including reauthorization of the Diné College Act.

● Enrollment & Student Success – Increase enrollment and retention through community-driven recruitment, scholarships, dual credit, flexible scheduling, and expanded online/hybrid learning. Ensure sufficient course offerings available at all campuses that allow timely graduation and cultivate future leaders. Increase tutoring opportunities at branch campuses.

● Institutional & Administrative Strength – Fill key positions, improve staff retention, and enhance campus operations, facilities, and housing.

● Program & Workforce Development – Expand programs that meet community and workforce needs.

● Research & Academic Excellence – Strengthen bachelor’s and graduate programs, advance research capacity, and promote culturally relevant scholarship in partnership with the Navajo Nation.

● Communications – Enhance transparency, timeliness, and frequency of internal and external communications.

Performance Indicators

● Achieve strategic goals and accreditation milestones.

● Increase enrollment, retention, and graduation rates.

● Enhance student success, research capacity, and program quality.

● Secure external funding and strengthen donor engagement.

● Promote Indigenous scholarship and raise visibility of Diné College.

● Foster faculty/staff retention and ensure policy compliance.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

● Strategic centered leadership grounded in Diné philosophy and principles.

● Deep understanding of tribal higher education, student learning, and community needs.

● Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, building trust with faculty, staff, students, and community. Able to manage conflict and build consensus.

● Listens actively, is open-minded, and leverages knowledge and expertise of others.

● Skilled in organizational development, financial management, governance, and policy compliance.

● Innovative, adaptive problem-solving and decisive leadership during change.

● Commitment to inclusive, supportive, and collaborative environments for students, faculty, and partners.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

● Promote Diné language, traditions, and philosophy across all aspects of the College.

● Partner with the Board to define a long-term vision aligned with the College’s mission, Diné values, and community needs.

● Guide strategic planning and assessment to advance higher education, grounded in Navajo values and collaborative decision-making.

● Oversee high-quality academic, student support, and workforce programs aligned with community and national standards.

● Foster a culturally grounded, inclusive, and healing campus environment supporting students, faculty, and staff.

● Strengthen institutional advancement through partnerships, advocacy, fundraising, and resource development with private entities and at state, Nation and Federal levels.

● Ensure compliance with accreditation standards, college policies and partner agreements.

● Responsible for stewardship of fiscal, human, and physical resources.

● Promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging while maintaining transparent, frequent communication with all stakeholders.

Interpersonal Expectations

The President must be a visible, trusted leader who honors Diné lifeways, models humility and compassion, engages all campuses, and fosters inclusive, safe, and culturally grounded spaces for the College community.

Minimum Qualifications

● Master’s degree in Higher Education, Organizational Leadership, or a related field, or equivalent education and experience.

● 3–5 years of senior leadership experience in higher education.

● Experience with tribal colleges or Indigenous-serving institutions.

● Demonstrated success in fundraising, grant acquisition, and stakeholder engagement.

● Experience with Higher Education accreditation and strategic planning cycles.

● Commitment to Diné and Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing.

Preferred Qualifications

● Doctorate in Higher Education Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field, with executive leadership experience.

● Proficiency in both Navajo and English, and a proven commitment to tribal higher education

● Familiarity with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), Title III/V and Tribal College federal policies.

● Strong understanding of tribal sovereignty and governance.

Navajo Preference Statement: Diné College will give preference in employment to enrolled members of the Navajo Nation, in accordance with the provisions of the Navajo Preference in Employment Act (15 N.N.C. Sections 601-619).

Compensation and Benefits

Salary will be commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience. The compensation package includes housing, utilities, and a vehicle.

How to Apply -

This is a confidential search process. For full consideration, applications should be submitted no later than November 10, 2025. The position will remain open until it is filled.

To apply, go to http://www.acctsearches.org and upload your documents.

Required materials:

1. Applicants should submit a letter of application (max 5 pages) addressing the opportunities and challenges in this profile, demonstrating their vision, relevant experience, and strategies to address these priorities.

2. Applicants should submit a current résumé (including email and cell phone number) and eight references—2–3 supervisors, 2–3 direct reports, and 2–3 faculty/staff from current or previous institutions. Each reference should include the individual’s name, title, organization, phone number, and email address.

For questions, nominations, or confidential inquiries, contact: Cindy Lopez

ACCT Director of Search Services and Tribal College

## Company

Diné College is a public tribal land-grant college based in Tsaile, Arizona, serving the 27,000-square-mile Navajo Nation. It offers associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and academic certificates