Little Priest Tribal College


Little Priest Tribal College is a public tribal community college in Winnebago, Nebraska. It is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium and primarily supported by the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. It has an enrollment of 135 students, of which 90 percent are American Indian.

History

The Winnebago Tribal Council, anticipating significant academic growth in Winnebago students, appointed a task to research and evaluate the higher education component of its total education plan. Part of this research was the studying of the general education and major programs at the then existing institution of higher education, Nebraska Indian Community College. The task force determined that the programs of NICC would not meet the needs of future Winnebago students. After exploring several options, the Winnebago Tribal College decided to withdraw from NICC and charter its own college as the educational arm of the tribe: Little Priest Tribal College. The college was named after Little Priest, the last true war chief of the HoChunk people. It began offering academic courses and community education classes in August 1996.

Programs

The college has implemented two-year Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees, certificate programs, and community education programs. It provides a two-year associate degree; the majority of credits will transfer and prepare students to complete a bachelor's major at a four-year institution.

Athletics

Little Priest Tribal College offers Men's and Women's Basketball. It is associated with the Nation Junior College Athletic Association at the Division II level and is a member of the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference in all sports. LPTC became full members of the ICCAC in July 2018.

Partnerships

Little Priest Tribal College has been approved by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and has been accepted for full membership in the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.