Oglala Lakota College facts for kids
Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, South Dakota
|
|
|
Former names
|
|
|---|---|
| Motto | Rebuilding the Lakota Nation through Education |
| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
| Established | 1971 |
|
Academic affiliations
|
AIHEC, Space-grant |
| President | Dawn Frank |
| Students | 1,400 |
| Location |
,
,
United States
|
| Campus | Urban/suburban reservation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation |
| Nickname | Bravehearts |
| Website | www.olc.edu |
Oglala Lakota College (often called OLC) is a special kind of college located in Kyle, South Dakota. It is a public college that serves the Lakota people and is part of a group called tribal colleges. These colleges are created to help Native American communities. OLC also has a "land-grant" status, which means it gets support from the government to teach about agriculture and other useful subjects. About 1,456 students attend OLC, either full-time or part-time. The college mainly serves the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, a large area in southwestern South Dakota where about 26,000 people live.
Contents
College History: How OLC Started
Oglala Lakota College was officially started in 1971. The Oglala Sioux Tribal Council, which is the governing body for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, created it. This was an important step to provide higher education for the people on the reservation. In 1994, OLC became a land-grant college. This special title means it receives federal funding to offer programs that benefit the community, especially in areas like farming and science.
How OLC is Managed
OLC is run by a group of 13 people called a board of trustees. These trustees make important decisions about how the college operates and what it offers to students.
OLC Campuses: Learning Across the Reservation
Oglala Lakota College has a unique setup. Instead of one big campus, it has many smaller learning centers. These centers are spread out across the nine districts of the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. This makes it easier for students living in different areas to attend classes. There are also OLC learning centers in Rapid City and on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. This helps even more students get an education close to home.
What You Can Study at OLC
Oglala Lakota College started as a community college, offering basic courses and certificates. Over the years, it has grown a lot! Now, students can earn bachelor's degrees, which are four-year degrees. They can even get a master's degree in Lakota Leadership, which helps students become leaders in their communities.
- Accreditation: OLC is approved by the Higher Learning Commission. This means the college meets high standards for education.
- Teacher Training: If you want to become a teacher, OLC's education programs are certified by the South Dakota Division of Education.
- Nursing Program: OLC also has a nursing program. Graduates are certified by the South Dakota State Board of Nursing. This allows them to take an exam to become a registered nurse.
- Social Work: The social work program at OLC is also approved for bachelor's degrees.
Working Together: OLC Partnerships
Oglala Lakota College is part of a group called the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group includes many tribal colleges and universities. They work together to make tribal nations stronger and improve the lives of Native Americans. OLC was created to meet the education needs of Native Americans, especially those in areas far from other colleges. It helps people get an education beyond high school when they might not have other options.
