Utah State University breaks ground on new Monument Valley Center

by David Boyle
News Director
Utah State University Blanding campus celebrated the groundbreaking of their new Monument Valley education building on August 2.
The event was a recognition of years of work in planning and fundraising for the new academic and community center. 
The 10,000-square-foot facility will be located northwest of Monument Valley High School on property owned by the San Juan School District.
After the closure of the Seventh-Day Adventist Hospital in Monument Valley in the 1990’s, the college acquired the old hospital building for classes.
Kristian Olsen works as the Senior Associate Vice President for USU Blanding. In a conversation with Red Rock 92.7 FM, Olsen shared that in recent years it became apparent that after many years of service it was time for the building to retire.
“We’ve been grateful to be in there but it’s time to move into something modern and comfortable and built for the people that live in Monument Valley,” said Olsen.
Olsen shared that the same architectural design company that helped USU Blanding remodel the old Shopko building now used for the welding and trucking program, helped on the new design.
“They spent a lot of time talking to people in the community, we wanted to build a building that reflected the culture. We didn’t want a building that you could put in Salt Lake City ...we wanted one that fit and represented Monument Valley.”
The building will include classrooms and computer labs, a nursing and CNA lab, a Career and Technical Education lab, a small business development space, a welding lab, space for adult education and USU Extensions, administrative and faculty offices, and space for community gatherings and public events.
Making the building a community center is important for USU.
“We want everyone there to think of it as their building and their space,” added Olsen. “Obviously, its primary purpose is education and to help students get college degrees, but we want all the community to feel comfortable and welcome and utilize it when they need space for other things.”
The groundbreaking also was an opportunity to recognize the different partners that worked together to make the project possible.
Significant donations came from the USU, the Utah State Legislature and Navajo Nation leadership including the local Oljato Chapter, and the San Juan School Board.
Olsen also recognized the generous donors who contributed to the $14 million raised for the building.
The building will also be equipped for distance learning and will offer an array of certificates and degrees, ranging from technical certificates to doctorate degrees, as well as academic guidance and support, counseling services and career mentoring.
The building will also offer opportunities for concurrent enrollment collaboration with the high school.
The school district’s involvement in the project is of key importance as securing land in Monument Valley can be a challenge. Olsen added that the proximity to the high school will further promote higher education in the community.
Olsen said sometimes a lack of familiarity can cause uncertainty in high school students.
“The more time you spend with something you realize I do fit here, this is for me, I can do this. Students will be able to be in the college building and see themselves there.”
Olsen says the elementary, high school, and university buildings in the valley all work together to promote education in the area.
“I think it speaks to the Navajo culture as well that values education and all the way back to Chief Manuelito where he really championed education. This is an exciting project and I think is going to make a huge difference for a very long time.”
While no set open date has yet been announced, it is anticipated the building will be completed in early 2026, with the hope to be able to offer classes that same year.