United Tribes Technical College facts for kids
| Type | Private tribal land-grant community college |
|---|---|
| Established | 1969 |
| President | Dr. Leander McDonald |
| Students | 885 students, 635 full-time undergraduates, and 250 part-time undergraduates |
| Location |
,
,
United States
|
| Campus | urban/suburban |
| Nickname | T-Birds |
United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) is a special college in Bismarck, North Dakota. It is a private college run by Native American tribes. UTTC helps students learn skills for jobs and earn college degrees. It is also a "land-grant" college, which means it gets support to teach practical subjects. In 2012, about 885 students attended UTTC.
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A Look Back: How UTTC Started
UTTC began in 1969. It was created by Native American tribes in North Dakota. They wanted a place for their people to get a good education.
In 1978, UTTC started working to become officially recognized. This recognition is called "accreditation." It means a school meets high standards. By 1982, UTTC was fully accredited as a technical school. This was a big step!
Later, in 1987, UTTC could start offering two-year associate degrees. In 1994, UTTC became a "land-grant college." This special title helps the college get funding. It also means it focuses on useful studies for the community.
In 2003, UTTC made history again. It was the first tribal college to offer online degrees. This made learning easier for many students.
Who Runs UTTC?
UTTC is owned and operated by five Native American Tribal Nations. These tribes are located in or partly in North Dakota. They include:
- Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
- Spirit Lake Nation
- Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
- Three Affiliated Tribes (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation) of the Fort Berthold Reservation
- Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa
What Can You Study at UTTC?
UTTC offers many different programs. You can earn certificates for specific skills. You can also get two-year associate degrees. Some programs even lead to four-year bachelor's degrees. There are over 20 areas of study to choose from.
Working Together: UTTC's Partnerships
UTTC 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.
UTTC was created to meet the education needs of American Indians. It often serves people in areas that are far from other colleges. This means UTTC provides a way for many to get an education beyond high school.
