The Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) has been very successful in outreach to Indian Country, resulting in good growth in enrollment. The community served, the Omaha Tribe of Nebraska and the Santee Sioux Nation (although any prospective student may apply for admittance), participated in Strategic Planning Sessions, and requested a vocational/technical classroom and training facility for construction and vehicle maintenance. These vocational programs were deemed highly desirable for post-graduation employment opportunities.
The existing facility on the Santee campus did not provide the space required, especially considering the need for overhead doors for vehicle maintenance, including large trucks. With funding from USDA Community Programs’ Tribal College Grant Program and cash match funds from NICC, an element of NICC’s Strategic Plan came to life.
A 4,000 square foot facility was completed that will accommodate the size of the equipment students will be using in their construction and vehicle maintenance classes.
The new Vocational Technical Education Classroom Building on the campus in Santee, Nebraska provides educational facilities to the Native American students in a truly rural area.