Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University facts for kids

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU) is a special kind of college in Hayward, Wisconsin. It is a public college that serves Native American communities. LCOOU is one of only two tribal colleges in Wisconsin. About 550 students attend LCOOU. The main campus is in Hayward. Many students also study at four other locations. These are Odanah, Bayfield, Hertel, and Lac du Flambeau.

How the College Started

The Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians started the college in 1982. They wanted to help their tribe and the Hayward community. LCOOU is one of two tribal colleges in Wisconsin. These colleges are owned and run by American Indian tribes. In 1994, LCOOU became a "land-grant" college. This means it gets special support to teach about farming and science. Diane Vertin was the president until 2017. Barbara Lundberg then became the interim president.

What Students Learn

LCOOU offers many different programs. Students can earn associate degrees. They can also get technical diplomas and certifications. The college also has adult education programs. These programs focus on careers, culture, and liberal arts. More than 70 percent of students are American Indian.

Learning Environment

The college welcomes all kinds of students. This includes both traditional and non-traditional learners. The average age of a student at LCOOU is 34. Class sizes are small, which means more help for students. The student-to-teacher ratio is usually ten-to-one.

College Recognition

The Higher Learning Commission has officially approved LCOOU. This means the college meets high standards. LCOOU has agreements with other colleges. Students can easily transfer credits to the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota. LCOOU is part of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group helps tribal colleges grow stronger. It also helps American Indian and Alaska Native people. LCOOU helps people in isolated areas get an education.