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Engineering Studies at Tribal Colleges and Universities (2006) / Chapter Skim
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3 Opportunities and Challenges for Tribal Colleges and Universities
Pages 6-11

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From page 6...
... This phenomenal increase in a relatively short time reflects the strong commitment of Native communities, tribal leaders, faculty, and administrators to the unique mission of TCUs. "Tribal colleges have a dual mission, (1)
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From page 7...
... TCUs are similar to other two-year educational institutions in the United States in that they provide access for local students who might not otherwise receive a postsecondary education. Most tribal college students are first-generation students, and their average age, 31.5, is well above the average age of traditional college students.
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From page 8...
... . Common misconceptions, such as that Native students receive free educations and that Indian casinos fund tribal colleges, mask the stark reality of chronic financial underinvestment and the lack of forward funding for TCUs.
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From page 9...
... Although the college receives about $5.4 million annually in federal funds, the amount has decreased slightly over the years, even as enrollment has increased. New Mexico Senator Jeff Bingaman has asked Congress for more than $410,000 to help meet some of the school's operational expenses and is working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to find ways to close the spending gap and put the institution back on sound financial footing.
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From page 10...
... Retention Rates for Native Students One reason for developing engineering programs in TCUs is that the success rates of Native students at mainstream, four-year educational institutions have historically been very low. In fact, American Indian students have the lowest retention and graduation rates of any ethnic minority group in the country (AIHEC, 1999; Benjamin et al., 1993; Huffman, 1990)
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From page 11...
... First, because TCUs are predominantly teaching institutions, it is difficult for them to attract faculty who are interested in research. Second, the heavy teaching and counseling load of TCU faculty, along with their involvement with the tribal community and the geographic isolation of many campuses, make it difficult for faculty in TCUs to enhance their credentials.
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Key Terms

  • tribal colleges
  • native students
  • tribal college
  • indian students
  • american indians

  • college act
  • educational institutions
  • retention rates
  • college students
  • tcu students

  • core academic
  • school completion
  • engineering profession
  • mainstream institutions
  • tribally controlled

  • federally recognized
  • academic track
  • graduation rates
  • fourth graders
  • recognized tribes

  • eighth graders
  • tribal leaders
  • tribal elders
  • earth tribal
  • entering tribal

  • indian college
  • called tribal
  • fund tribal
  • native fourth
  • native population


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