Oglala Lakota College facts for kids
Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, South Dakota
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| Motto | Rebuilding the Lakota Nation through Education |
|---|---|
| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
| Established | 1971 |
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Academic affiliations
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AIHEC, Space-grant |
| President | Thomas Shortbull |
| Students | 1,400 |
| Location |
,
,
United States
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| Campus | Urban/suburban reserve on the Pine Ridge Reservation |
| Nickname | Bravehearts |
| Website | www.olc.edu |
Oglala Lakota College (OLC) is a special kind of college located in Kyle, South Dakota. It's a public college that serves the Oglala Lakota Nation on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. OLC is also a tribal college, meaning it's run by and for the local Native American community.
About 1,450 students attend OLC, either full-time or part-time. The college helps people on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation get a good education. This reservation is home to about 26,000 people and covers a large area in southwestern South Dakota.
Contents
History of Oglala Lakota College
OLC was officially started by the Oglala Sioux Tribal Council in 1971. This was a big step for the community.
In 1994, OLC became a land-grant college. This means it gets special support from the government to offer education, especially in agriculture and engineering. OLC was one of 31 tribal colleges to receive this important status.
How OLC is Managed
Oglala Lakota College is guided by a group called the Board of Trustees. This board has 13 members who make important decisions for the college. They help make sure OLC runs smoothly and meets the needs of its students.
OLC's Campus Locations
Unlike many colleges with one main campus, OLC has a unique system. It has many smaller learning centers spread out. There are OLC centers in each of the nine districts across the Pine Ridge Reservation. This makes it easier for students living far away to attend classes.
OLC also has instructional centers in Rapid City and on the Cheyenne River Indian Reservation. This helps even more students access higher education close to home.
What You Can Study at OLC
Oglala Lakota College started as a community college, offering basic courses. Today, it has grown a lot! You can now earn different types of degrees at OLC.
Students can get certificates, associate's degrees (A.A. degrees), and even bachelor's degrees. OLC also offers a master's degree in Lakota Leadership. This program helps students become leaders in their community while learning about Lakota culture.
Accreditation and Certifications
OLC is officially recognized by the Higher Learning Commission. This means the degrees you earn at OLC are respected and valuable.
- Teaching: If you study education at OLC, you can become a certified teacher in South Dakota. You can teach in elementary schools (kindergarten through 12th grade) or work in school administration.
- Nursing: OLC's nursing program prepares students to become registered nurses. Graduates can take the state exam to become certified nurses.
- Social Work: The social work program at OLC is also accredited. This means students get a high-quality education to help people and communities.
Working with Others: OLC Partnerships
OLC is part of a group called the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group includes many tribal colleges. They work together to make tribal nations stronger through education.
AIHEC helps improve the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives. OLC was created to meet the education needs of Native Americans. Many students at OLC live in areas where there are no other colleges nearby. OLC gives them a chance to continue their education after high school.
