Diné College Dual Credit Program: Growing Opportunities for Our Future Leaders
The Diné College Dual Credit Program is expanding its reach, creating new pathways for high school students across the Navajo Nation to earn college credits and build the foundation they need for long-term academic success. At the forefront of this effort is Francetta Begaye, Dual Credit Director, whose commitment to student achievement continues to shape the program’s growth.
“Every year, we try to provide more opportunities and more chances for these high school students to become closer to the degree that they want,” said Begaye. “Dual credit is not just about helping students take college courses in high school — it’s about transitioning them from high school to college and giving them all the resources that Diné College has.”
More Than Courses: A Path from High School to College
Dual credit students at Diné College are not simply high school students taking a few extra classes. They are full-time Diné College students, entitled to the same resources, academic support, library access, and campus services as any other enrolled student.
Begaye emphasizes that the experience goes beyond academics. “When you first meet these dual credit students, they’re very shy and timid,” she explained. “But towards the end, once you get to meet them and start talking to them, they get out of their shell and start becoming more talkative and engaged. It’s really good to be able to mentor and support these dual credit students and let them know that Diné College is an option.”
Affordability is central to the program’s mission. For students residing in Arizona, tuition and fees for dual credit courses are covered upon successful completion. “Our tuition is affordable, and we can give them all the college courses they need before they go out to the university,” Begaye noted. “I want them to be able to depend on Diné College — to get everything they need here and navigate them, so they already have that knowledge and skill set when they leave and go to a university.”
A New General Education Certificate
One of the program’s most significant new initiatives is the development of a General Education Certificate, created in collaboration with Mikayla Largo, Director of Assessment and Curriculum.
“We want to establish the General Education Certificate, so students have a clear roadmap and degree checklist,” Begaye explained. “It will outline the courses and options available to fulfill their general education requirements. By helping students align those requirements with their intended degree pathway, we can guide them through completing their general education and earning the Arizona General Education Curriculum (AGEC) certification. That way, wherever they choose to transfer, they will have the AGEC credential to support a smoother transition and help ensure their credits are recognized.”
Strengthening Course Offerings Through the American Indian College Fund
Through funding provided by the American Indian College Fund, Diné College has been able to expand its adjunct faculty and offer courses that partner high schools cannot provide independently.
Pinon High School, one of the program’s largest sites, reflects the depth of this investment. Students there have access to a broad range of college-level courses, including:
- Mathematics: College Algebra, Imelda Cayabyab, Pre-Calculus & Statistics, Michael Ferrer, and College Mathematics Quantitative Research Methods
- Diné Studies: Foundations of Navajo Culture, Navajo History to the Present, and Navajo Language I and II, taught by Gloria Denny
- Physics: Fundamentals of Physics (Physics 101) and Physics 111, Algebra-based Physics, Jovencio Tierra.
- English: College Composition I and II, plus an online Introduction to Literature course overseen by a credentialed instructor, Lillia Ferrer ENG 101, 102. ENG 231, Vanessa Sanchez, Diné College.
- New this year: Bio 100 (Biology Concepts) and Chemistry 130 (Fundamentals of Chemistry), taught by newly credentialed instructor Joshua Sebastian
- History and Social Science: American History (Prehistoric to 1865) this fall, followed by Introduction to Sociology in the spring, taught by Dr. Miranda Haskie SOC 111) and Brian King (HST 135).
“I’m hoping that by spring, we will have several seniors from Pinon graduating with our college students with their General Education Certificate,” Begaye said. “That’s one of the big accomplishments I see — and not just getting a certificate. I want them to start graduating with associate degrees.”
Growing Enrollment and Real Student Success
The program’s momentum is reflected clearly in its enrollment numbers. “Before, we only had fewer than five students who would come to the campus,” Begaye recalled. “Now we’re having anywhere from 21 to 50 students coming. That’s a great improvement, and I forecast that in the future, more students will be coming to Diné College — whether it’s one semester, two semesters, or completing their degrees.”
Student success stories are becoming more frequent. One standout example involves a student who aspires to become a marine biologist. “After doing some research, she discovered that earning an associate degree in biology provides a pathway into marine biology,” Begaye shared. “She has only one year left at Diné College and is on track to graduate this spring with an Associate of Science degree in Biology. What’s even more remarkable is that she just graduated from high school this past May.”
Because many dual-credit students complete high school with more than 24 college credits, they are well positioned to begin internships immediately. “That not only helps them fund their education, but it also helps them have that extra funding,” Begaye noted. To amplify these stories, the program has launched a student testimonials initiative. “I’m starting student testimonials, so it’s peer-to-peer — where they have the voice of a dual credit student sharing their experience,” Begaye said. “It’s a story to tell other dual credit students, so others can know and learn about dual credit and how it can help them.”
Expanding into New Mexico
The program’s reach now extends into New Mexico, where Diné College is partnering with Newcomb High School on its first Teacher Education cohort of eight students. Begaye is working alongside Dr. Kimberly Dominguez, Executive Director of Teacher Education, to develop a structured course pathway that supports students as they progress through the program.
“Instead of simply offering courses that help students move closer to an associate degree in Teacher Education, we want to create a pathway for high school students,” Begaye explained. “By identifying a specific set of courses that fulfill a certificate, students will know exactly what they need to take. Once they complete that certificate, they can continue to earn their associate degree and eventually their bachelor’s degree.” A similar model is already yielding results in the Public Health program, where students at Many Farms and Window Rock have completed certificate programs. Pinon is on track to celebrate its first Public Health certificate graduate this spring.
A Team Effort Across the College
Begaye is quick to acknowledge that the program’s progress is a collective achievement. “Dual credit is not just a two-person team,” she said. “It takes everybody within the college, even the external sites — all the different departments — because each department plays a vital role in dual credit.”
She expressed particular gratitude for institutional leadership. “I’m very thankful for the Provost and the President for supporting dual credit. I believe that dual credit will continue to grow and continue to bring opportunities.” As the program expands, Begaye’s message to all Diné College staff and faculty is clear: “Not only are they dual credit students — they’re also college students. They deserve our full support.”
Looking Ahead
Looking to the future, Begaye and Diné College leadership are exploring how to extend the program’s impact to Navajo students living far from the Nation — in cities such as Phoenix, Albuquerque, Denver, and Washington, D.C. “How are we going to help those students who want to learn the language, who want to know their culture and identity?” Begaye asked. “We want to reach out and bring these courses out to them, so that they can come back and know what it means to have that language and that culture.” Her broader vision is one of continuity and community. “I want them to be able to say that Diné College helped them — and look at how far they’ve come. That is my goal.”
Contact the Dual Credit Program
For more information about the Diné College Dual Credit Program, or to learn how your student or school can participate, please reach out to our team.
Francetta Begaye, Dual Credit Director
Email: dualcredit@dinecollege.edu
Phone: (928) 724-6921
Valadia Mejia, Dual Credit Coordinator
Email: dualcredit@dinecollege.edu
Phone: (928) 724-6923
Learn more at dinecollege.edu/academics/dual-credit-program
For media contact:
Chris Burnside
Marketing & Communications Manager
928.724.6695
