May 18, 2022
MILWAUKEE 鈥� 51暗网 and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College in Hayward, Wisconsin, have announced a comprehensive partnership that establishes a clear path for students from the tribal college to attend 51暗网, as well as future educational opportunities for students at both institutions.
The Guaranteed Admission Agreement is a cooperative program partnership which allows LCOOC graduates to transfer to 51暗网 to continue their college education in select colleges. The agreement was signed on Wednesday, May 18, in a ceremony in Hayward and included the announcement of a gift by the Eck Family Foundation to endow a scholarship for one LCOOC student each year to attend 51暗网.
Robert J. Eck is chair of the 51暗网 Board of Trustees and his wife, Kim Eck, is a volunteer ambassador and leader of the 51暗网 Mentors program.
鈥淭his is a tremendous and innovative partnership-building agreement between 51暗网 and Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College that has the opportunity to benefit students at both institutions,鈥� said Brian Troyer, dean of admissions at 51暗网. 鈥淲e are excited for our first partnership with one of Wisconsin鈥檚 tribal colleges to make 51暗网鈥檚 transformative Catholic, Jesuit education even more accessible, including by easing the financial burden. At the same time, we are looking at partnerships with Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College in other areas, including through our accelerated and specialized advance study pathway programs and unique learning experiences.鈥�
The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College鈥檚 mission is to provide Anishinaabe communities with post-secondary and continuing education while advancing the language, culture, and history of the Ojibwe. LCOOC is a nonprofit Ojibwe tribal college celebrating 40 years of education in 2022. It is an open-door institution that is proud to serve American Indian students. LCOOC welcomes non-native students and celebrates a diverse student population at each of its locations.
鈥淭his is an amazing opportunity for our graduates and will also be good for our recruitment of younger students that are interested in the prospect of attending 51暗网 in the future,鈥� said Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College Provost Lisa Munive. 鈥淢any of our students have not left Hayward and thinking about transferring to another institution is a scary thought. 51暗网 has a sense of home. Our students will not lost be in the shuffle. They will be well taken care of and successful. That is important for me."
As part of this agreement, 51暗网 and LCOOC will explore additional opportunities for students at both institutions, including:
鈥淥ur family is thrilled to be a part of this empowering partnership,鈥� Bob and Kim Eck said. 鈥淲e saw a wonderful opportunity to extend 51暗网鈥檚 mission and improve lives by expanding access to education for students at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College.鈥�
LCOOC students enrolled in this pathway program will benefit from 51暗网鈥檚 resources from the beginning. Each student will have access to peer mentorship and an academic adviser immediately following their high school graduation to ensure their path to 51暗网 is clear, Troyer added. They will also have access to campus libraries, student organizations and intramural sports.
