FACULTY: Lorencita Billiman Aka Chef Billiman (Diné) is a certified Sous Chef through the American Culinary Federation with an AAS Degree in Culinary Arts from Navajo Technical University. Chef Billiman is originally from Buell Park, AZ (between Navajo NM and Sawmill, AZ). Her passion is cooking from Indigenous to different ethnicities. She states that she honestly does not have a favorite type of meal, but enjoys what her mother used to make for all five of her children and you will not find on a menu. Chef Billiman has been in the kitchen over 20 years and loves spending time with her family and her babies, her daughter, nieces and nephews. Navajo Technical University has given her the opportunity to live her dream as a certified Chef and as an Instructor that allows her to share her knowledge. Indeed, NTU has Endless Possibilities. She is a faculty at NTU Bond Wilson Technical Center and teaches Professional Basic Cooking and other culinary courses on Food Safety & Sanitation and Nutrition.

ADJUNCT FACULTY: Carmelita Lee (Diné) is from Sanostee, New Mexico and lives in Farmington, New Mexico. I am of the Honagháanii clan and born for the Naakai Dine’é clan. My Maternal Grandfather’s clan is Táchii’nii and my Paternal Grandfather is Naakai Dine’e. I have been teaching Navajo Language for over 22 years for the Farmington Municipal School District, 10 years for San Juan College and 2 years with New Mexico Highlands University, and currently working as an adjunct instructor with the Navajo Technical University. I am a District Instructional Facilitator for the Farmington Municipal School District currently. I’ve obtained my Associates of Arts degree in Elementary Education from Diné College, Shiprock, New Mexico; my Bachelors of Arts degree in BiCultural Studies with an Emphasis in Navajo Language from Ft. Lewis College, Durango, CO; my Masters of Arts degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Grand Canyon University from Phoenix, AZ. Currently, I’m a PhD candidate at Grand Canyon University to obtain my PhD in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Educational Leadership. My motto for Navajo Language Learners: “Our Navajo language is beautiful and should not be forgotten. Learn to speak, read and write the language, live the culture and learn our Navajo traditions.”

Michael Thompson (Mvskoke Creek) was born in Holdenville, Oklahoma, and raised on a South Georgia cattle farm near the Flint River. He has been a teacher, writer, and occasional community activist in Georgia, Kansas, California, and New Mexico. He is married to Tina Deschenie (Diné/Hopi), and between them they have four children and five grandchildren. For most of his life, he was a high school English teacher, including 14 years at Bloomfield High School. From 2014 until he retired in 2019, he served as the Coordinator of Alternative Licensure at San Juan College and as the Site Director of the Bisti Writing Project.

FACULTY: Laurence "Larry" Clary". As a child I always enjoyed building things and being outside. Growing up, I helped my dad quite often building the family house that we grew up in. I will always remember digging the foundation to our family house while in grade school. In high school, I enjoyed my time in the advanced woodworking and metal classes where I was able to build a variety of projects. After I graduated from high school, I enrolled at Trinidad State Junior College where I attained my welding certification. I was employed with a few local contractors before venturing into my own construction company. Through my company, I have been able to develop many great friendships with fellow contractors and homeowners. Along the way some of my projects were also featured in the local parade of homes and a couple of regional magazines. I transitioned into teaching in 2017 through a grant called Navajo Youth Build. We would teach young adults various skills within the construction trades industry. The greatest part of teaching students is the sense of accomplishment they have when they complete a project or task. The expression on their face is priceless when they realize they are capable of being successful doing what they enjoy. The opportunity to share my knowledge and experience into the younger generation is very rewarding for me. “A world without construction is a world without growth.”

STAFF: Vangee Nez, Ph.D. (Diné) is Táchii’nii, born for Ta’néészahnii, Naakai Dine’é my maternal grandparents, and Bit'ahnii my paternal grandparents. She was raised by her paternal grandparents in Tocito, New Mexico. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Utah in Family Studies, a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology and a Ph.D. in Language, Literacy & Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico. Her research focused on Navajo philosophy and how that is used as a pedagogical tool for language and culture revitalization and maintenance for Navajo teachers. Her goals are to work with Indigenous teachers to design their own teaching philosophies and methodologies using core values and cultural teachings to empower Native youth along with mindfulness practices. Dr. Nez conducts various community-based research and educational workshops based on her dissertation. She is the new Coordinator at NTU Bond Wilson Technical Center to oversee student enrollment and recruitment, along with other responsibilities to enlist new programs at BWTC and partner with local corporations. She is working to create a pathway for Dual Credit high school seniors to transition to NTU. Dr. Nez is an avid hiker, enjoys reading, speaking her language, and going home to Tocito or Utah to be with family and friends.