American Indian College Fund’s 12th Annual Tribal College and University Faculty Convening Celebrates Culturally Responsive Education
Sessions Highlight Importance of Native Students’ Belonging and Academic Success
Speaker panel at the 12th Annual Tribal College and University Faculty Convening.
Denver, Colo., July 14, 2026 — The annual Tribal College and University (TCU) Faculty Convening held by the American Indian College Fund (College Fund) offers faculty the rare opportunity to share their research and best practices with each other and to make valuable connections with peers across the TCU system. TCUs have a unique dual mission to provide a quality higher education to their students while maintaining the Native cultures of the Tribes who run them. The convening gathers faculty in person for deeper discussions on how they can help advance this dual mission.
The 12th annual convening saw a record number of attendees despite federal budget cuts to TCUs over the past two years. Breakout and plenary sessions covered a multitude of topics essential to Native higher education, such as Native-centered teaching practices, innovations in student research, collaborating for student success, and ethical use of AI for the more than 150 education professionals that gathered in May for the event. Attendees said the conference emphasized the importance of Indigenous-centered teaching practices serving as the foundation for every course taught at TCUs.
A record number of attendees participated in the TCU Convening.
The convening further highlighted the value of faculty connection and shared learning across tribally led higher education institutions. The culturally grounded sessions reminded those attending that student success is not only about productivity or academic achievement but relationships, representation, and community. Despite the distance between TCUs, faculty made valuable connections to overcome isolation as they prepare students to lead their tribal communities and in their careers.
American Indian College Fund President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull said, “The College Fund is honored to support TCU faculty as they build their skills and network so they can serve Native and rural students at our institutions with the best content knowledge, teaching skills, and cultural competencies. We appreciate our faculty and the work they do to strengthen our communities’ self-determination.”
About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 37 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided more than $23 million in scholarships and other student support for higher education in 2024-25. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $391 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (Guidestar), and the “Best in America Seal of Excellence” from the Independent Charities of America. The College Fund was also named as one of the nation’s top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit collegefund.org.
Journalists — The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.
Photo 1 – Speaker panel at the 12th Annual Tribal College and University Faculty Convening.
Photo 2 – A record number of attendees participated in the TCU Convening.
