“Recognizing the need to strengthen the Navajo language program and Navajo linguistics, in 2006 Department Chair Sherman Wilcox began the process of proposing expansion of this program with a UNM Legislative Priority. The proposal requested funds from the New Mexico legislature to expand the program by adding a tenure-track Navajo linguist; staff support; teaching assistantships for Navajo graduate students; and programmatic support (curricula, media technology, travel funds for outreach, and so forth); and funds to reprint the Young and Morgan Navajo dictionary. The Legislative Priority received approval from the UNM administration.”

A year later, in 2007, Dr. S. Wilcox and, the current NLP director, Dr. Melvatha Chee successfully lobbied at the New Mexico Legislature on behalf of NLP and the department of linguistics.