Diné College Celebrates Class of 2025 at Fall Commencement Ceremony
TSAILE, Ariz. DEC. 12, 2025. At Diné College’s fall commencement on the Tsaile campus, 107 degrees and certificates were awarded. The event recognized graduates across programs from bachelor’s degrees to certificates, marking a major milestone for the first tribally controlled college in the United States.
Acting President Glennita Haskey welcomed graduates, families, and community members, emphasizing the institution’s unique blend of Western education and Navajo identity, and celebrating the graduating class’s achievements.
“Diné College is proud to honor and celebrate you and your achievements,” Haskey said. “You have reached the end of this journey and are ready to start a new adventure. Graduates, embrace the wisdom handed down from our elders. Being connected to the lessons of the past inspires you to forge your future.”
Commencement speaker Nikki Tulley, a NASA research scientist from the Navajo Nation, spoke about balancing cultural roots with professional goals, using radio waves as a metaphor for connection.
“My journey has not been perfect,” Tulley told the graduates. “Take the good from my story and build upon it, and equally learn from the hardships and difficulties, because sometimes those aren’t bad but are meant for a lesson.”
The ceremony moved forward as Provost Dr. Alysa Landry presented the graduation candidates, noting their diverse academic paths and the awarding of bachelor’s, associate, and certificate degrees. Seven students earned multiple credentials.
Student speaker Kimberleen McNeal, top GPA recipient, congratulated peers and shared her experiences balancing academics, family, and health.
“Our paths are different, but we all got here,” McNeal said. “We now have a new path waiting for us. Unlike my son’s math homework, we can decide which process or method to use to get to our goals. We’re not measured by others, but by how we overcome and reach our destinations.”
After degrees were conferred, Editorial Director Shondiin Silversmith led the alumni induction, welcoming graduates to the Diné College Alumni Association. Navajo Nation President Dr. Buu Nygren commended the graduates for their perseverance and dedication, emphasizing the importance of their achievements for the Navajo Nation.
“Thank you to the families and relatives who supported these 100-plus graduates on their remarkable journey,” Nygren said. “You faced challenges, doubted yourselves, and even wanted to quit at times, but you persevered. Today, you’ve proven that commitment and resilience lead to success. As Diné College Warriors, you are now role models for your communities. Be the inspiration that lifts others and strengthens our Nation. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!”
