Northwest Indian College facts for kids
 |
|
|
Former names
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Lummi Indian School of Aquaculture, Lummi Community College |
|---|---|
| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
| Established | 1973 |
| President | Justin Guillory |
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Academic staff
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100 (33 full-time, 67 part-time) |
| Undergraduates | 594 (fall 2019) |
| Location |
,
U.S.
48°47′39″N 122°36′51″W / 48.79417°N 122.61417°W |
| Campus | Urban/Suburban Lummi Nation (main campus) reserve, Swinomish, Tulalip, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, and Nez Perce. |
| Affiliations | AIHEC |
Northwest Indian College (also known as Xwlemi Elh>Tal>Nexw Squl) is a special kind of college. It is a public tribal land-grant community college. You can find it in Bellingham, Washington, in the United States.
The Lummi Nation started this college. It is the only accredited tribal college that helps Native American communities. These communities are in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
Contents
College History: How NWIC Began
Northwest Indian College (NWIC) was created for a very important reason. Many American Indians needed more education after high school. This was especially true for those living in faraway places. They often had no other way to go to college.
The college started in 1973. Back then, it was called the Lummi Indian School of Aquaculture. Aquaculture is about raising fish and shellfish. The school trained people to work in fish farms owned by Native American tribes in the U.S. and Canada.
In 1983, the Lummi Nation decided to offer more types of education. They started the Lummi Community College. This new college helped tribal members get a wider range of college degrees.
The Lummi Community College worked hard to become officially recognized. This recognition is called accreditation. The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities gave them this approval in 1993. That's when it became Northwest Indian College.
Just one year later, in 1994, the college got another special title. It became a land-grant college. This means it gets support to teach about agriculture and other useful subjects.
Over the years, NWIC grew and added more programs. In 2008, it gained the ability to offer four-year degrees. These are called baccalaureate degrees.
Since 2012, the president of NWIC has been Justin Guillory. He is from the Nez Perce Tribe in Lapwai, Idaho.
What You Can Study at NWIC
NWIC offers many different types of college degrees. You can earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree. These are usually four-year programs.
The college also offers Associate degrees. These include Associate of Arts and Sciences, Associate of Science, and Associate of Applied Science. These are usually two-year programs.
NWIC is an open enrollment school. This means you don't need to take special tests like the SAT or ACT to apply.
In 2011, NWIC was one of only seven tribal colleges in the U.S. to offer a degree in tribal administration. This degree helps students learn how to manage tribal governments and organizations.
NWIC Campus Locations
Northwest Indian College is a four-year college. Its main campus is on the Lummi Indian Reservation. This is in Washington state, close to the city of Bellingham.
Besides the main campus, NWIC has six other learning sites. These sites are located in different tribal communities. They include Swinomish, Tulalip, Port Gamble S'Klallam, Muckleshoot, Nisqually, and Nez Perce.
Working Together: NWIC Partnerships
NWIC is part of a group called the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group brings together colleges started by tribes and the government. They work to make tribal nations stronger. They also help improve the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Students at NWIC can get help paying for college. Scholarships are available through the American Indian College Fund (AICF). The NWIC Foundation also offers scholarships.
