Legacy of Charles “Monty” Roessel: A Pillar in Tribal Education
Charles “Monty” Roessel, renowned for his transformative role in Native American education, has passed away at the age of 63. Diné College, where Roessel served as president, announced his death on Monday, surrounded by family, without revealing the cause.
Under Roessel’s leadership from 2017, Diné College evolved into a four-year institution, and he was instrumental in launching a Navajo Nation tribal law program, which recently admitted its inaugural class. Crystalyne Curley, Speaker of the Navajo Nation Council, lauded Roessel as a “tireless advocate for tribal education and a visionary leader,” emphasizing his enduring impact on Navajo students’ educational opportunities.
Roessel’s roots in education ran deep, with his parents contributing to the establishment of the Rough Rock Community School and Navajo Community College in 1968, now known as Diné College. Roessel’s academic journey began at Chinle High School, followed by a bachelor’s degree in photo communications from the University of Northern Colorado and a master’s from Prescott College. Transitioning from journalism, he pursued a doctorate in educational administration and supervision from Arizona State University.
His career trajectory led him to the Rough Rock Community School in 1998, where he served as executive director and superintendent. Roessel later became an associate deputy director with the Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) in 2011, ascending to director in 2013, overseeing nearly 200 Native American schools across 20 states. However, his tenure at the BIE ended in 2016 amidst an investigation by the U.S. Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General.
Roessel’s contributions to tribal education were recognized in March 2024, when the American Indian College Fund honored him as its tribal college president honoree for his lasting impact on the movement. His nephew, Navajo Council Delegate Carl Slater, praised Roessel as “a man of integrity,” reflecting on his dedication to the Diné community and the enduring legacy carried on by his family.
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