Sisseton Wahpeton College facts for kids
| Type | Public tribal land-grant college |
|---|---|
| Established | 1979 |
|
Parent institution
|
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate |
| President | Erica Holmes |
| Students | 250 (80% Dakota people) |
| Location |
,
U.S.
45°33′46″N 97°03′39″W / 45.56271°N 97.06074°W |
| Campus | Rural reservation |
| Nickname | Mustangs |
 |
|
Sisseton Wahpeton College (SWC) is a special kind of college located on the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota. It's a public college that belongs to the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate tribe. This college opened its doors in 1979. It helps students from the Dakota people and others in the community.
About 250 students attend SWC each year. More than 80% of these students are members of the tribe. SWC offers many different programs. Students can learn job skills or study for a four-year degree. They can also transfer to other universities later.
Contents
The History of SWC
SWC first started as a school for learning job skills. It taught things like building and mechanics. As more students wanted to attend, the college added academic programs. These programs helped students study subjects like math and science. SWC is one of the few colleges in South Dakota that offers both types of learning.
Learning at SWC
SWC is officially recognized by the Higher Learning Commission. This means the college meets high standards for education. Students can earn two-year degrees (associate degrees) or four-year degrees (bachelor's degrees).
SWC also works with other universities. This makes it easy for students to continue their studies. For example, students can earn a bachelor's degree in Business and Tribal Governance. They can do this through an agreement with Mount Marty College.
Working with Others: Partnerships
SWC is part of a group called the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group helps tribal colleges across the country. These colleges work together to make tribal nations stronger.
SWC was created to help Native American students get a college education. Many of these students live in areas far from other schools. Tribal colleges like SWC give them a chance to learn and grow.
Institute for Dakota Studies
In 1992, SWC started something special: the Institute for Dakota Studies. This was one of the first times a tribal college created a center like this. Its main goal is to teach, study, and protect the unique history and traditions of the Dakota tribe. It helps keep their culture alive for future generations.
Center for Excellence in Dakota Language
The Center for Excellence in Dakota Language opened at SWC in 2005. It works closely with the Dakota studies programs. The center's main goal is to bring the Dakota language back to life. It hopes to create a plan that other Native American communities can use. This plan would help them save their own languages too.
The College Campus
The SWC campus has grown a lot over the years. One of its most interesting buildings is the Song to the Great Spirit. This is the new Vocational Education Building. It was designed so students could learn building trades. They can even build a whole house inside the building!
The building itself is a work of art. It looks like four Native American figures. They are holding drumsticks and singing a traditional Dakota song. These figures are made of fiberglass. They also serve a purpose inside the building. Two figures hold stairwells, one holds an elevator, and another holds storage areas. This unique design makes the SWC campus a local landmark.
The college has also added more classrooms and offices. There is also an Early Childhood Education Center. The campus also has an auditorium. This auditorium is home to the transmitter for KXSW, a local radio station.
See also
- American Indian College Fund (AICF)
