Bay Mills Community College facts for kids
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| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
|---|---|
| Established | 1981 |
| President | Duane A. Bedell |
| Students | 531 |
| Location |
,
,
United States
46°27′17″N 84°36′23″W / 46.4548°N 84.6063°W |
| Affiliations | American Indian Higher Education Consortium |
Bay Mills Community College (often called BMCC) is a special kind of college in Brimley, Michigan. It's a public community college that serves the Bay Mills Indian Community. This college helps students get a great education after high school.
BMCC is unique because it's a tribal college. This means it was created by a Native American tribe. It also has a "land-grant" status, which helps it offer programs that benefit the community. About 500 students attend BMCC, both in person and online. Many students come from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and about 60% are Native American.
BMCC is part of a group called the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group helps tribal colleges work together to make Native American communities stronger. BMCC offers online classes, so students from far away can also learn. If you are a member of a U.S. Federally recognized Tribe, you can even get free tuition!
Contents
Discovering BMCC's History
BMCC holds a special place in Michigan's history. It was the first tribal college in Michigan to be officially recognized. This college is located right on a Native American reservation.
How BMCC Began
The college started in 1981. At first, it offered job training programs. This was to help with the economic needs of seven Native American communities. The U.S. Department of Education provided the first funding.
Becoming a Chartered College
In 1984, the Bay Mills Indian Community officially created the college. This was done under special rules for tribal colleges. BMCC is a non-profit school. This means it uses all its money to help students learn.
Growth and Land-Grant Status
When it first opened, only eleven students attended. Today, over 700 students learn at BMCC each year. They can take classes on campus, off campus, or online. In 1994, BMCC became a land-grant college. This happened along with 31 other tribal colleges. This status helps the college get support for its programs.
Who Guides the College?
A group called the Board of Regents leads BMCC. They choose the college president and set the rules. Even though many students are Native American, anyone can attend BMCC. The college wants to help all people learn and grow. BMCC uses technology to offer online classes across North America.
What Can You Study at BMCC?
BMCC offers different types of programs. You can earn:
- Associate degrees (which are two-year degrees)
- Certificates for special skills
- Diploma programs
They also have an online bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. This helps students become teachers for young children.
Working Together: BMCC's Partners
BMCC works with other colleges and universities in Michigan. This is through an agreement called MACRAO. This agreement makes it easier for BMCC students to transfer their credits. So, if you start at BMCC, you can easily move to another college later. Your general education classes will count!
Images for kids
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The Michael Parish Administration Center at BMCC.
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The Bay Mills Community College Library.
