Tohono Oʼodham Community College facts for kids
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| Motto | Nia, oya g t-taccui am hab e-ju |
|---|---|
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Motto in English
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See, our dream fulfilled |
| Type | Public tribal land-grant community college |
| Established | 1998 |
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Academic affiliations
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American Indian Higher Education Consortium Space-grant |
| President | Jane Latane |
| Students | 200+ |
| Location |
,
,
United States
31°59′25″N 111°42′56″W / 31.990247°N 111.715651°W |
| Campus | Rural Reserve |
| Nickname | Jegos |
| Website | www.tocc.edu |
Tohono Oʼodham Community College (TOCC) is a special kind of college in Sells, Arizona. It is a public school, which means it gets money from the government. It is also a tribal college, built to help Native American students.
Most students at TOCC are American Indian or Alaskan Native. About 216 students attend, with more girls than boys. Many teachers and staff members are also American Indian, and half of them are from the Oʼodham people.
Even though anyone can go to TOCC, the college is deeply connected to the Tohono Oʼodham culture. It helps students learn and grow. It also works to keep the Oʼodham Himdag, their traditional way of life, alive. All students learn about the Himdag as part of their classes. This includes many old beliefs and practices of this Native group.
College History
TOCC started in 1998. The Tohono Oʼodham Nation created the college in Sells, Arizona. Before this, the tribe's career center offered some degrees and certificates.
TOCC welcomed its first students two years later. Their classes were officially recognized through an agreement with Pima County Community College in Tucson, Arizona. TOCC became fully accredited in February 2003. This means it met high standards for education. In 2004, it became a land-grant college. This gave it special support, like other tribal colleges.
What You Can Study
TOCC offers different ways for students to learn and get ready for jobs. Students can earn associate degrees. These are two-year degrees in subjects like liberal arts, business, and science. The college also offers many certificates. These show that a student has learned specific skills.
Working Together
TOCC is part of a group called the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group helps tribal colleges work together. Their goal is to make tribal nations stronger. They also want to improve the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
TOCC was created to meet the education needs of American Indians. It often helps students in areas far from big cities. These students might not have other ways to get an education after high school.
More to Explore
- American Indian College Fund (AICF)
- Vivian Juan-Saunders, a former leader at Tohono Oʼodham Community College
