Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College facts for kids
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Former names
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Fond du Lac Community College Center (1987-1989) |
|---|---|
| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
| Established | 1987 |
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Parent institution
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Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System |
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Academic affiliations
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American Indian Higher Education Consortium World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium Space-grant |
| President | Anita Hanson |
| Students | 1,976 (Fiscal Year 2021) |
| Address |
2101 14th St.
,
,
,
U.S.
46°41′25″N 92°26′57″W / 46.6903°N 92.4492°W |
| Campus | Rural, small city, metropolitan area |
| Colors | Orange & black |
Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (FDLTCC) is a special kind of college. It is a public community college that also serves as a tribal college. It is located in Cloquet, Minnesota.
FDLTCC is unique because it was the first tribal college in Minnesota. It is also the only college in the United States that is both a tribal college (set up by federal law) and part of a state-funded education system. This college helps students learn and grow in many ways.
Contents
History of FDLTCC
How the College Started
The Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians wanted to make sure their people could get a good education. In 1979, they realized that college was very important for their future plans. So, in 1985, another college started holding classes at the Tribal Ojibwe School.
Leaders from the Fond du Lac Band worked hard to get support for a new college. They wanted a college that would help both tribal members and people from the surrounding communities. A study showed that a college was needed in the area. This led to a partnership between the Fond du Lac tribal government and a group of community colleges.
Building the College Campus
In 1987, a special group was formed to create the Fond du Lac Community College Center. This center was an extension of another college. It was located in a building in Cloquet, Minnesota.
The State of Minnesota provided money in 1989 to officially start FDLTCC. A brand new college campus was built. It opened its doors to students in 1992. The college's first president, Jack Briggs, wanted a college that supported tribal cultures and values. He also wanted it to welcome all students, whether they were tribal members or not.
Important Milestones
In 1994, FDLTCC was named a land-grant college. This means it received special support to teach about agriculture and other important subjects. The next year, the college became fully independent.
In 1996, FDLTCC joined the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. This system includes many colleges and universities across Minnesota. In 1999, the college received its first ten-year accreditation. This means it was officially recognized as a high-quality college.
In 2012, FDLTCC celebrated its 25th birthday. They made a video about the college's history. It featured people who helped start the college and those who graduated from it.
College Accreditation
Higher Learning Commission Approval
Accreditation is like a stamp of approval that shows a college meets high standards. FDLTCC was first accredited as part of another college system. But since 1997, FDLTCC has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. This commission checks if colleges are doing a good job.
World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium Approval
In 2017, FDLTCC also became an accredited member of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium (WINHEC). WINHEC was created in 2002. Its goal is to help colleges that support indigenous cultures and languages.
WINHEC accreditation helps show that a college is trustworthy. It also encourages colleges to improve their education. This process makes sure schools are working to keep indigenous spirituality, cultures, and languages strong. It also helps them support their homelands and social systems. It is important to know that WINHEC is not recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Athletics at FDLTCC
FDLTCC used to have sports teams. They were part of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference (MCAC). The college had teams for basketball and volleyball. However, after the 2023 school year, the college stopped all sports programs. This happened because not enough students participated, and there were budget reasons.
Student Life at FDLTCC
Students at FDLTCC come from many different backgrounds. As of Fall 2023, about 53% of students were White. About 28% were American Indian or Alaska Native. Other students included those of two or more races, Hispanic, and Black students. The college also helps many students who need financial support. About 66% of students were considered low-income.
