Diné College Student Dean Holyan Qualifies for 2026 College National Finals Rodeo
Tsaile, Ariz., June 9, 2026 — Diné College student and rodeo athlete Dean Holyan has qualified for the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo (CNFR), earning his place among the nation’s top collegiate competitors. Holyan secured his spot through the National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Grand Canyon Region, where he finished among the top qualifiers in tie-down roping.
The 2026 CNFR is scheduled for June 14–20 in Casper, Wyoming. Holyan’s achievement reflects the discipline, commitment, and cultural grounding that Diné College’s rodeo program has cultivated in Navajo Nation for students for decades.
A student in Social and Behavioral Sciences within the School of Business and Social Science, Holyan balances full-time academics with collegiate competition and professional work as a music and entertainment director for Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) events. He credits time management, accountability, and a positive attitude as the keys to meeting his responsibilities as both a student and an athlete.
Holyan also carries forward a deep family legacy in the sport. His father, Edward Holyan, serves as the Diné College rodeo coach, and his grandfather, the late Dean C. Jackson—for whom he is named—was a former president of Diné College. During Jackson’s administration, the rodeo program was formally established and strengthened as part of a broader vision for student success rooted in Diné values, discipline, and opportunity.
“Dean Holyan’s qualification for the College National Finals Rodeo is a proud moment for Diné College and for our Navajo Nation communities,” said Dr. Deborah Jackson-Dennison, President of Diné College. “His achievement reflects athletic excellence along with the discipline, responsibility, and perseverance that define student success. Dean represents the strength of our students—young people who pursue higher education while remaining grounded in family, culture, and community.”
Dr. Dennison noted that Holyan’s accomplishment also honors the enduring legacy of Dean C. Jackson, her late father.
“President Jackson understood that rodeo was never just about competition. He saw it as a pathway to higher education—a way to connect Navajo student-athletes to scholarships, leadership, and lasting opportunity,” Dennison said. “He believed students succeed when education connects to who they are, where they come from, and the values they live each day. That vision continues to shape our rodeo program, and Dean Holyan carries it forward in a powerful way.”
For Holyan, qualifying for nationals represents the reward of years of perseverance.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Holyan said. “Rodeo is all I’ve ever known—there’s nothing else I want to be but an Indian cowboy. It’s been a roller coaster with injuries, but coming back home to Diné College and making it to Casper makes it all worth it.”
Holyan’s path to the CNFR has tested his resilience. After beginning his collegiate career out of state, he faced a series of injuries that required surgery and kept him away from competition for nearly two years. He returned home to Diné College to resume his career, and this season he delivered some of the strongest performances of his collegiate journey—balancing a demanding travel schedule, professional commitments, and full-time coursework along the way.
He credits his instructors and advisors helping him manage that balance, and he encourages other student-athletes to stay in close communication with their professors. His ability to move between the demands of competition and the rigor of academics, he says, reflects the focus and discipline at the heart of the student-athlete experience.
As Holyan prepares to compete in Casper, his accomplishment stands as a testament to the values that have long defined Diné College’s rodeo program—family, culture, education, and the determination to carry forward a meaningful legacy.
About Diné College
Diné College serves the Navajo Nation and surrounding communities, advancing student success through education grounded in Diné values, culture, and language. The College’s programs prepare students for leadership, opportunity, and lifelong contributions to their communities.
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Office of Communications
Diné College
Tsaile, Arizona
