California Indian Nations College Celebrates Inaugural Graduating Class

Published May 22, 2019

PALM DESERT, Calif. — California Indian Nations College (CINC) is pleased and proud to recognize students from its inaugural course offerings who are graduating from their respective colleges.

“These students took CINC’s first course offerings in 2018 and received the credits needed to fulfill their requirements; and now we are recognizing and commending their achievements,” said Dr. T. Robert “Bob” Przeklasa, CINC Vice President, Academic Affairs. “We want to recognize their hard work and celebrate this achievement through this event.”

The ceremony is set for May 22, 2019 at CINC’s headquarters located at the UC Riverside’s Palm Desert Graduate Center, 75080 Frank Sinatra Drive. The event will include Native American bird singers and students will be wearing full tribal regalia as their graduation gowns.

“We are so proud that CINC contributed to the education of these graduates who have worked so hard to achieve this milestone,” said Darrell Mike, CINC Board of Trustees President. “Our mission to encourage and strengthen education within the Native American community is working. I’m so happy and so proud of these students who will be representing their tribes as they celebrate their degrees and certificates.”

Tribal elders, community leaders, representatives from UCR, and CINC’s founders will attend the ceremony. Dr. Sandra L. Kewanhaptewa-Dixon, Ed.D., Hopi will present the keynote address. Free parking is available in Lot A and light refreshments will be served immediately following the event. Please RSVP to Ryan Mariano at rmariano@CINCollege.org or call (760)834-0593.

“CINC is meeting its goal to support the educational needs of our students. Their success represents the beginning of a prosperous and fruitful endeavor for our Native community,” said Celeste Townsend, CINC interim President. “Graduates now have the skillset and mindset they need to succeed; and California Indian Nations College is here to support and assist the dreams and goals of our students by educating, strengthening, and empowering each one of them.”