Diné College Hosts Send-Off for Students Attending 2026 AIHEC Conference
TSAILE, ARIZ. March 13, 2026. Diné College hosted a send-off in front of the Ned Hatathli Center (NHC) for students heading to the AIHEC Student Conference, held March 15–18, 2026, in Bismarck, North Dakota. The event will unite students, faculty, and staff from Tribal Colleges and Universities nationwide to compete and celebrate the Tribal College Movement.
The send-off was organized by Cina Curley, Diné College’s Student Activities Specialist, who coordinated the gathering to recognize the students’ commitment and wish them well before their departure. The event brought together faculty, staff, and peers to celebrate the participants and show campus-wide support for their representation of Diné College at the national conference. Patrick Blackwater, Dean of the School of Business and Social Science, emphasized the event’s importance. “It’s a good opportunity for students to learn and engage with other Tribal colleges,” Blackwater said. “They get to represent Diné College, their families, and the Nation.”
Faculty members attended to support participants and share advice for the journey. Michelle Whitstone, Assistant Professor of Diné Studies, stressed the value of representation and community. “Student leadership is among the most powerful assets in higher education,” Whitstone said. “It drives academic achievement and a deeper understanding of leadership in life. Be respectful, build new connections, and meet new people.”
Preparation for the conference required year-round dedication from the competitors. Travis Teller, Mental Health Coordinator and AIHEC Coach, noted the extensive effort students put into events such as hand games, speech, poetry, and art. “We have a lot of different tribes that come out from different states and throughout the United States,” Teller said. “It’s a year-long process. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to be a part of AIHEC. You get to travel, you get to be amongst different tribes, get to learn new things, and meet new people.”
Students expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming competitions and leadership opportunities in Bismarck. Terance Woody, a Diné College student and AIHEC participant, prepared for his third conference after previously winning the title of champion poet laureate. “I am very excited,” Woody said. “I am very nervous this year because last year I took home the trophy of being a champion poet laureate. This year, I plan to run for TCU Student Congress for Southwest Representative.”
