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Presidential Inauguration of Dr. Deborah Jackson‑Dennison
19th President of Diné College
Event Details
- Date: Thursday, April 16, 2026
- Time: 9:00 A.M.
- Location: Diné College — Tsaile Campus Gymnasium, Tsaile, Arizona
Join us as we gather with students, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, and distinguished guests to mark this significant moment in the College’s history.
About the Inauguration
The inauguration of Dr. Jackson‑Dennison represents a new chapter for Diné College—one rooted in growth, cultural strength, educational sovereignty, and the mission of advancing opportunities for the Diné Nation. Your presence is welcomed as we honor this important milestone for our institution and our communities.
Event Program & Additional Information
A detailed program schedule, along with information on receptions, activities, and special events, will be shared here as the date approaches.
Presidential Inauguration Speaker Bios
Jacob Moore Vice President and Special Advisor on American Indian Affairs Arizona State University
Jacob Moore is Lakota, Dakota, Tohono O’odham, and Akimel O’odham and a citizen of the Tohono O’odham Nation. Jacob serves as Vice President and Special Advisor to the President on American Indian Affairs in the Office of University Affairs. Jacob Moore’s primary role is to advise the University on ways to increase recruitment, retention and graduation of American Indian and Indigenous students who are in pursuit of their degrees. Mr. Moore also builds and manages collaborative partnerships with tribal nations and communities. Mr. Moore brings years of experience in tribal government, economic and community development, healthcare policy, banking, Indian gaming, and education. Mr. Moore earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and an Executive MBA from the Arizona State University. Jacob Moore resides with his wife, Carmelita, in the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community.
Dr. Margaret Mangini (Ed.D.)
Dr. Maggie Mangini is a distinguished educator and researcher whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing teaching, leadership, and workforce development. She retired in 2011 after 31 years at Arizona State University, where she served as Director of the Bureau of Educational Research and Services (BERS), taught graduate courses in Educational Leadership, and mentored numerous doctoral students, including the Navajo Fellows cohort.
After retirement, she continued her service as Executive Director of the Workforce Education Development Office at the University of Arizona, supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs through research, assessment, professional development, and leadership initiatives.
Dr. Mangini earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and her doctorate in Educational Administration from Arizona State University. Her career spans teaching, counseling, administration, consulting, and leadership in studies focused on school improvement, curriculum, facilities planning, and executive leadership searches.
Her work has had lasting impact on educational leadership and workforce development across secondary and postsecondary systems.
Carole Jackson-Holyan
Carole Jackson-Holyan is a proud member of the Dine’ (Navajo) Nation and currently serves as the Managing Partner of Zion Enterprises, a comprehensive event management and public relations firm owned entirely by Native women. Zion Enterprises collaborates with organizations such as the Indian Gaming Association, the National Congress of American Indians, and Women Empowering Women for Indian Nations. In 2019, Zion Enterprises was recognized as the Native Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. Carole was also recently inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame and is a seven-time INFR World Champion, with titles in Barrel Racing, Breakaway, and Women’s All-Around events.
Charlene Jackson-Etnire
Charlene is Dr Jackson-Dennison’s youngest sister. She is an alumnus of Diné College, the University of Arizona and the University of Arizona College of Law. As a practicing attorney, Charlene represented several tribes and tribal organizations throughout Arizona. She has served as faculty for the National Tribal Justice Center at the National Judicial College in Reno, Nevada and as a consultant to the National Association of Drug Court Professionals and the Tribal Law and Policy Institute. She spent several years working as a trial court and appellate court judge for several tribal communities and was a judge for the Town of Paradise Valley and a judge pro tem for the Town of Gilbert. In 2022, she was appointed to the bench in Maricopa County Superior Court.
RSVP & Contact
Benita Lopez
Executive Assistant – Office of the President
Diné College
PO Box C08, 1 Circle Drive, Tsaile, AZ 86556
T: 928-724-6669 | belopez@dinecollege.edu
Marketing & Communications Manager
Diné College
1 Circle Drive, Tsaile, AZ 86556
T: 928-724-6695 | cburnside@dinecollege.edu