-= NMSU PANORAMA - Summer 2006 =- Aggie Whirl: NMSU alum working to improve education for the Navajo Nation

Aggie Whirl

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NMSU alum working to improve education for the Navajo Nation

By Julie M. Hughes '95

Dolly Manson

Dolly Manson ’05 says serving as Ms. Navajo Nation in the early 1980s gave her the opportunity to see the world beyond the Navajo Nation where she grew up, and helped finance an undergraduate degree, which sparked a quest for more education.

She reached a milestone in her journey in 2005 when she completed her doctorate in bilingual special education at New Mexico State University.

Manson, a field education specialist for the Office of Indian Education in Tuba City, Ariz., says she is one of only about 25 people in the Navajo Nation of 250,000 to obtain a doctoral degree.

Manson came to NMSU to pursue her doctorate because she says it was one program in the country with diverse students that was close to her home to which she always intended to return.

“I come from a traditional home and I believe in my people’s ways and ceremonies,” Manson says. “My father always encouraged me to help my people. This is where I belong.”

Manson says she learned a lot during her time as Ms. Navajo Nation, but as an ambassador for her people she also made an effort to teach about her native culture.

“I encountered a world that needed to see who we are and pay more attention to the ways we learn,” she says.

In her current position, she travels to 14 federally funded native schools to certify that they are in compliance with federal regulations.

“My NMSU education prepared me for my position by instilling the importance of reading, writing and research to help these schools,” she says. “Special education is often lacking in native schools because it is challenging and stressful work, but we need to change that for our students.”

Manson credits her former professor and mentor at NMSU Jozi DeLeon as one person who made a difference in her life.

“Dr. DeLeon really took on the role of an educated parent. She had faith in me and encouraged me,” Manson says.

Manson says her parents were always supportive of her choices to pursue advanced education, but they “really did not understand it.” She really wants that to be different for her two children.

“We are moving forward,” she says. “My parents used to drive a wagon, I drive a pick-up on a dirt road, I hope some day that road is paved for my kids. I’m trying to lay some foundation for them.”

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