Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute facts for kids
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
|
|
| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
|---|---|
| Established | 1971 |
|
Parent institution
|
Bureau of Indian Affairs |
|
Academic affiliations
|
Space-grant |
| President | Dr. Sherry Allison |
| Undergraduates | 488 |
| Location |
Albuquerque postal address
,
,
United States
|
| Campus | urban/suburban reserve |
The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) is a special college in New Mexico. It's a public college that serves Native American students. SIPI is located near Albuquerque.
The United States government helps run SIPI. It gets money from the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Students from over 120 different Native American Tribes attend SIPI.
Contents
How SIPI Started
A School for Native American Students
The idea for SIPI came from the All Pueblo Council of Governors. They wanted a college for Native American people. Many tribal leaders and public officials worked together.
SIPI officially opened in 1971. The first classes began on September 16, 1971. At first, students could start and finish their training at their own pace. The Bureau of Indian Education provided money for the school.
Growing and Getting Recognized
In 1974, SIPI received an award for its excellent service. By 1975, the college was officially recognized. This meant its programs met high standards.
In 1994, SIPI became a "land-grant college." This special title helps the college get more support. It joined 31 other tribal colleges with this status.
Accreditation Journey
SIPI lost its official recognition in 2010. This is called losing "accreditation." But the college worked hard to get it back. On March 12, 2014, SIPI was officially recognized again. This means its education is high quality.
SIPI's Campus and Location
Where Students Learn and Live
SIPI's campus is about 164 acres big. It is in the northwest part of Albuquerque. The campus is in a great spot for learning. It's near important technology centers. These include Los Alamos and Sandia National Laboratories. Intel Corporation is also nearby.
Modern Learning Spaces
SIPI has a modern Science and Technology Center. This center has 12 labs for research and teaching. There are also 10 classrooms. Students can use two rooms for distance learning. The center also has a large auditorium. It can hold 500 people.
Working with Other Colleges
Helping Students Transfer
SIPI has special agreements with other universities. These include the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University. These agreements make it easier for students. They can transfer to four-year colleges. This helps more Native American students earn degrees.
Part of a Bigger Community
SIPI is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group helps tribal colleges work together. Their goal is to make tribal nations stronger. SIPI helps students who live far from other colleges. It gives them a chance to get a higher education.
See also
