PHOTO: L-R: Derrell Webb, VP of Operations, Food & Facility Maintenance with NMS, Tivona Endischee, Sous Chef, Liz Tso, General Manager, Clinton Lasley, recently hired VP of Operations, Food & Facility Maintenance.
Diné College Cafeteria Staff Earn Crisis Intervention Excellence Award
Tsaile, Ariz., July 30, 2025 – Ms. Elizabeth Tso, General Manager of the Diné College Cafeteria, and her colleague Tivona Endischee, Sous Chef were honored with the Crisis Intervention Excellence Award today for their outstanding response to the recent incident on campus. Despite significant challenges, the duo ensured uninterrupted meal services by swiftly relocating cafeteria operations to a dormitory.
The award recognizes their ability to think and act quickly under pressure while maintaining essential services during the campus crisis. “Based on quick thinking and planning, everything came together for us. We knew what we had to do and act immediately to relocate food and supplies to make sure meals were provided to students,” said Ms. Tso.
After the unforeseen incident disrupted regular operations, Liz and Tivona collaborated with residential personnel, facilities maintenance staff, and other team members to create a seamless transition. They set up temporary meal services in a dormitory, ensuring students, college staff, and emergency responders were fed without delay.
Liz credited their success to ongoing training and strong teamwork. “We go through regular safety and food safety training, both in groups and individually. That preparation gave us the confidence to act decisively,” she explained.
The effort involved relocating critical food supplies, equipment, and even a grill to the new site. The residential personnel, led by Sharon, Tanaya and Residential staff, worked diligently to provide an alternate facility, while facilities maintenance assisted with logistics.
Their collective efforts not only kept crucial services running but also fostered a sense of unity among all involved.
Velveena Davis, Incident Commander, said, “During the crisis at Diné College, the unity and swift action of our team were remarkable. Every individual—from the cafeteria staff to the Navajo Nation Police, First Responders, Residential Life, and the Operations and Maintenance Department—brought their expertise and dedication to the table.”
“It was this collaboration that ensured we could overcome challenges and continue serving our community without interruption. I am deeply grateful for everyone’s efforts and the teamwork that turned a difficult situation into a powerful example of resilience and commitment,” stated Davis, and Glennita Haskey, Acting President of Diné College, worked closely with the cafeteria staff.
This collaboration ensured a coordinated response and uninterrupted support for the campus community. Tso added, “Everyone came together—from facility teams to residential staff—ensuring we stayed on track and got the job done.”
