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 |
Haivana Nakya (Sells mailing address)
,
,
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 located in Haivana Nakya, Arizona. It's a public college, meaning it's open to everyone. It is also a tribal college and a land-grant college. This means it has a strong connection to the Tohono Oʼodham Nation.
In the fall of 2023, most of TOCC's students, about 96 percent, were American Indian or Alaskan Native. The college serves around 1,174 students. In 2012, more than half of the college's teachers and staff were American Indian, and many of them were Oʼodham people.
Even though TOCC is open to all students, it deeply values the Tohono Oʼodham culture. As a tribal college, TOCC focuses on helping local students, especially those from the Tohono Oʼodham Nation. It also works to keep the Oʼodham Himdag, which is their cultural way of life, alive and strong. All students learn about the Himdag as part of their classes. This includes many traditional beliefs and practices of this native group.
Contents
College History
TOCC was started in 1998 by the Tohono Oʼodham Nation in Sells, Arizona. Before TOCC, the tribe's career center offered associate degrees and different certificates. TOCC began accepting students two years later. Its classes were officially recognized through an agreement with Pima County Community College District.
In February 2003, TOCC became fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. This means it met high standards for education. The next year, TOCC was named a land-grant college. This designation helps the college get support for its programs.
What Students Can Study
TOCC offers students the chance to earn associate degrees. These are two-year degrees that can help students start a career or continue their education. Students can study liberal arts, business administration, or science. The college also offers many certificates for specific skills.
College Partnerships
TOCC is part of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). This group includes colleges that are run by tribes or the government. AIHEC works to make tribal nations stronger. It also helps improve the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives.
TOCC was created to meet the higher education needs of American Indians. It often helps people in areas that are far away from other schools. For many, TOCC is the only way to get an education after high school.
Notable People at TOCC
Some important people have worked at Tohono Oʼodham Community College:
- Gabriella Cázares-Kelly: She used to be an academic adviser at TOCC. She later became the Pima County Recorder in 2021.
- Vivian Juan-Saunders: She was a vice president at Tohono Oʼodham Community College. She also served as the tribal chair for the Tohono Oʼodham Nation from 2003 to 2007.
See also
- American Indian College Fund (AICF)
