Navajo Technical University (NTU), Sandia National Laboratories, and Los Alamos National Laboratory are expanding a long-standing partnership that is reshaping high-tech education and workforce development across the Navajo Nation.
What began more than a decade ago with a solar-powered wireless internet tower serving NTU’s rural Crownpoint campus has grown into a wide-ranging collaboration in engineering, advanced manufacturing, microelectronics, cybersecurity, and environmental physics.
“For a long time, it felt like we were always at the back of the train when new resources and technologies came out,” said Navajo Technical University President Elmer J. Guy. “By partnering with Sandia and Los Alamos, we’ve moved Navajo Technical University – and our students – up to the front. Our students are working on the same advanced equipment and research as peers at major universities, and they’re bringing that expertise back to serve the Navajo Nation.”
With support from Sandia, NTU has developed and achieved ABET accreditation for its engineering bachelor’s degree programs, opening the door for students to qualify for competitive internships and careers at national laboratories and major employers. Each year, NTU students intern at Sandia and Los Alamos, contributing to projects in microelectronics, materials science, and national security, with many going on to careers in those fields.
The university has also expanded its academic offerings to include a bachelor’s degree in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering Technology, master’s degrees in Electrical and Industrial Engineering, and a PhD in Electrical Engineering. NTU operates an advanced manufacturing and metrology lab that supports research partnerships with universities and industry.
In addition, NTU has launched a tribally owned enterprise to manufacture metal powder for 3D printing, addressing growing national demand. The university’s hands-on approach and access to specialized equipment have begun attracting students from larger institutions seeking laboratory experience.
Current joint projects reflect national priorities and local needs. These include development of a microelectronics training program aligned with the CHIPS and Science Act; research into next-generation batteries for electric vehicles that charge faster, last longer, and weigh less; cybersecurity and artificial intelligence applications in manufacturing; and radon and uranium testing conducted with Los Alamos to address environmental and public health concerns in Navajo communities.
“These collaborations show what’s possible when Tribal Colleges and Universities are full partners in our nation’s innovation economy,” said Ahniwake Rose, President and CEO of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. “Navajo Technical University is building a pathway from rural communities on the Navajo Nation straight into the heart of America’s microelectronics, advanced manufacturing, and clean energy sectors. That’s not just good for Native students – it’s good for the entire country.”
The American Indian Higher Education Consortium and NTU continue to work with federal agencies, national laboratories, and industry partners to expand these efforts and replicate successful models across Tribal Colleges and Universities nationwide.
