The University of New Mexico (UNM) College of Nursing has announced a partnership with Navajo Technical University (NTU) to enhance nursing education and increase the number of nurses in rural and tribal areas across New Mexico.
Over the coming year, the UNM College of Nursing will collaborate with NTU to help develop its nursing program. The partnership involves sharing faculty expertise, curriculum materials, resources, and technology. The aim is to better prepare nurses who can serve communities that often face shortages in healthcare professionals.
Rosario Medina, Dean of the UNM College of Nursing, stated: “This collaboration reflects our shared respect for community and culture. It’s about listening and building a foundation for nursing education that honors both.”
NTU is based in Crownpoint, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. The university integrates Diné cultural values and language into its educational programs. Students at NTU learn through principles such as Nitsáhákees (thinking), Nahátá (planning), Īína (implementing), and Siihasin (reflection), which emphasize both academic quality and cultural preservation.
As part of the agreement, NTU will assist UNM’s College of Nursing by providing faculty development opportunities and sharing knowledge about Indigenous cultural beliefs and values important to healthcare delivery in New Mexico.
Michelle Kahn John, NTU’s nursing program advisor, explained: “We’ve been working with UNM on our RN program. Their experienced faculty will help guide and support us. This collaboration is grounded in the Diné philosophy, and NTU will also offer cross-cultural training. UNM faculty and staff will be able to take Diné language classes, helping both schools learn from each other.”
Leaders from both institutions met in Crownpoint over the summer to discuss shared goals for the partnership as well as challenges such as limited resources for rural nursing programs, curriculum structure for registered nurses, and clinical training opportunities.
Medina emphasized: “This collaboration reflects our shared respect for community and culture. It’s about listening and building a foundation for nursing education that honors both.”
Both institutions are aiming to create pathways that allow students to advance their nursing education while remaining connected to their home communities.
