Institutions
The College Fund supports Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in their efforts to strengthen students, emergent leadership, education, language and culture, health and wellness, the environment, and so much more, all moving our mission of transforming Native lives and communities.
Our work in partnership with TCUs focuses on supporting our relatives from cradle to career and beyond. This institutional capacity-building work consists of supporting TCU grantee partners in co-visioning programming, technical support, professional development, research and networking opportunities, and program elements that directly support students’ and communities’ needs.
Cultivating Native Student Success
Cultivating Native Student Success provides tribal colleges and universities the opportunity to examine their current enrollment management approaches and design long-term strategies that include holistic, place-based, and collaborative student supports to promote transformative and systemic change that impacts Native student success.
2025 Cultivating Native Student Success Convening
The American Indian College Fund and AIHEC are excited to host an opportunity to learn, network, and advance TCU Native Student Success.
Native higher education experts, organization partners, and TCU staff will come together to engage in discussions, workshops and breakout sessions about the Native student journey, strategic enrollment management, data storytelling, and the constantly evolving landscape of higher education.
TCU Programs
Our Programs, in partnership with TCUs, strengthen degree programs, support faculty and staff, prioritize students, and engage tribal nation communities across several program areas of targeted impact: Native Arts, Environmental Stewardship, Computer Science, Indigenous Early Childhood Education, Native Teacher Education, Adult Education, Women’s Leadership, Native Student Veterans, and more.
Programs TCU Capacity Support and Impact
2023-2024 Data
$12.9+
MILLION
4960+
34
Tribal Colleges and Universities
Tribal colleges and universities provide dynamic higher education opportunities, most on or near reservation lands. Known for their remarkable programs, culturally-relevant curricula, and familial student care – tribal colleges allow students to further their careers, attain an advanced degree, or better support their communities.
Institutions News
Read blog updates from our institutions teams
In Memoriam: Dr. Verna Fowler
With deep sadness, we share the news of the passing of our friend, advocate, leader, and teacher, Dr. Verna Fowler, the founding President of the College of Menominee Nation (CMN).
College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute Names New Director
Jennifer Gauthier has been named the Director of the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) at the College of Menominee Nation (CMN). Jennifer will assume leadership of SDI on September 11, 2023. SDI was organized in 1993 by tribal community leaders representing a broad spectrum of institutional interests including governance, commerce, education, and natural resource management.
Danny Luecke of Turtle Mountain Community College and Dr. David Sanders of American Indian College Fund Co-author Research on Growing Math and Dakota/Lakota Language Fluency Together
The focus of tribal colleges’ work is to seek connections between the cultures and heritage of the Indigenous communities they serve and mainstream education curricula. Danny Luecke (enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma), a member of the Teacher Education Department at Turtle Mountain Community College, and Dr. David Sanders (enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe), Vice President of Research at the American Indian College Fund, explored the connections between math content, local culture, and the classroom.
College of Menominee Nation Receives Reaffirmation of Accreditation
The College of Menominee Nation (CMN) received a final decision from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) Institutional Actions Council to reaffirm the accreditation of the college for the next ten years. The accreditation shows that CMN is meeting quality standards as an institution of higher education.