Leech Lake Tribal College

Programs

LLTC offers programs of study including:

Location

LLTC is located on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in north central Minnesota, three miles northwest of the town of Cass Lake. The campus houses two academic wings, library, two technical training buildings, and a community garden, among other facilities. The campus covers approximately 22 acres of leased land.

LLTC is also the administrator of the Red Lake Nation College as it undergoes accreditation processes. RLNC is an extension site of LLTC and graduates receive their diplomas conferred by LLTC.

History

The College was established out of necessity to improve the quality of life for the people living in the Leech Lake Reservation. Larry P. Aitken, described the lack of law enforcement response on the reservation and the lack of protection for the people of Leech Lake. Dubbed "brown faces in blue uniforms", Aitken and others approach the RTC to start a College to train peace officers.

LLBO established LLTC by Tribal Resolution in July 1990. For two years, courses were offered in extension from the University of Minnesota Duluth, Bemidji State University, Itasca Community College and Central Lakes College (then known as Brainerd Community College). In the fall quarter of 1992, LLTC began offering its own courses leading toward the Associate of Arts and the Associate of Applied Science Degrees.

The first LLTC student was Sean Fahrlander, graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in Anishinaabe Language and Culture in the spring of 1993. In 1994, the College was accorded status as a Land Grant Institution by the United States Congress. The College had its first and only graduate in 1993. Also, in 1994, seventeen graduates completed their Associate of Arts degrees and Associate of Applied Science degrees. By the spring of 1995, the number of graduates had increased to twenty-four. The 2007–08 academic year saw record student enrollment; the 2008 graduating class was the largest in LLTC history.

Campus

The College held classes in available buildings throughout the city of Cass Lake and towns throughout the Leech Lake Reservation. Initially in an log cabin adjacent to MN HWY 2, it expanded to an old church and houses in Cass Lake.

The College moved classrooms and administration to the former Cass Lake High School building in the fall of 1994, resulting in greatly increased enrollment of 196 students. These students were enrolled in two-year Associate of Arts transfer degree programs, or in two-year technical programs leading to an Associate of Applied Science degree, or in one-year vocational programs. Today, LLTC includes approximately 70 faculty, staff, administrators, and 250 full-time students. Most of our students come from the Leech Lake Reservation and the surrounding Reservations in Northern Minnesota. In addition, approximately 8% of the students enrolled at the College are non-Native American.

In 2005, the College moved to its current location 3 miles west of Cass Lake. In 2015, the College opened its new $2.7 million community library, Bezhigoogahbow Library, named after the College founder and first president, Larry P. Aitken.

Partnerships

The College was accredited as a vocational school in 1993. The College was awarded candidacy status with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association in 2002, and awarded continuing candidacy status in 2004. After a final site visit in April 2006, the Higher Learning Commission bestowed full five-year accreditation on LLTC, further cementing LLTC's status as an educational leader, and providing a springboard to tremendous growth in the ensuing years. LLTC is currently in the process of applying for continuing accreditation. According to an article published on Tuesday, September 14, 2010 in The Bemidji Pioneer, a review team from the North Central Association will meet from October 4–6, 2010 with LLTC President Ginny Carney and other administration officials to study the college’s governing documents, strategic plans, marketing information, student enrollment, academic standards and other materials.

The LLTC is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), which is a community of tribally and federally chartered institutions working to strengthen tribal nations and make a lasting difference in the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives. LLTC was created in response to the higher education needs of American Indians. LLTC generally serves geographically isolated populations that have no other means accessing education beyond the high school level.

The LLTC is a member of the National Association of Land Grant Institutions. The LLTC receives its base funding from the Bureau of Indian Affairs under the authority of the Tribally Controlled Community College Act (Title I, P.L. 95-471).

The College has articulation agreement and partnership with Bemidji State University, Augsburg College, University of Minnesota Duluth, Metropolitan State University, Hibbing Community College, University of North Dakota and others. The College is regionally accredited by HLC.

Governance

LLBO adopted the original LLTC Charter in 1999 and established an independent Board of Trustees; in 2002, the LLBO revised the LLTC Charter. In 2003, Leech Lake Tribal College separated from the LLBO and assumed its own accounting and human resources functions, and the LLBO formally transferred all bank accounts, equipment, and some property to LLTC. Also, the IRS granted 501(c)(3) status to LLTC as a non-profit educational entity. While separately incorporated today, LLTC still enjoys a vital relationship with LLBO, and receives about 11% of its annual funding from the Band.

Athletics

LLTC competes as the Lakers within the Northern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Presidents

Dr Leah Carpenter

Board of Trustees

The 2016-2017 Board of Trustees members includes:

2009-2012

2005-2008

2003-2005

2002-2003 (Tribal Council)

1998-2002 (Tribal Council)

1994-1998 (Tribal Council)

1990-1994 (Tribal Council)

Notable Staff, Faculty, and Alumni