Our Vision
KBOCC aspires to be an intergenerational center of educational excellence and innovation grounded in Anishinaabe values for community advancement and well-being.
Our Mission
As a tribal land grant institution, Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College supports and uplifts all learners to achieve their goals through holistic education, while promoting Anishinaabe culture, language, and lifeways.
Our Values
We hold steadfast to the guiding values of our ancestors, the Seven Grandfather Teachings, to help us with the concerns of today as we look forward to preparing the following seven generations:
- Dabasendizowin – We embrace humility, fostering a culture of continuous learning and openness to new perspectives.
- Debwewin -We prioritize truth in our academic integrity and pursuit of knowledge, ensuring transparency and authenticity.
- Zoongide’iwin – With courage, we support bold innovation, critical thinking, and advocacy for social justice.
- Gwayakwaadiziwin – We uphold honesty, promoting integrity and trust in all interactions and scholarship.
- Manaaji’idiwin – We honor respect, valuing diverse cultures, perspectives, and fostering inclusive dialogue and collaboration.
- Zaagi’idiwin – We practice love, creating a compassionate and supportive community where everyone feels valued.
- Nibwaakaawin -We cultivate wisdom, integrating knowledge and experience for thoughtful and ethical decision-making.
Through these values, KBOCC prepares students to be thoughtful, compassionate, responsible leaders and achieve Mino-Bimaadiziwin.
Our History
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College was chartered by Ordinance No. 75-1 of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community as a non-profit educational corporation, allowing the College to establish and operate institutions granting post-secondary degrees and certificates, and to coordinate and regulate higher education on the L’Anse Indian Reservation. The College was developed upon the principle that American Indian students deserve an educational system that is responsive to their needs and concerns. Its basic purpose is to provide an educational program in which students experience success and enhance their self-image, dignity, and independence while preparing for their chosen career paths.
Programs are offered that prepare students to become gainfully employed, encourage them to pursue advanced degrees, and enable them to meet their personal aspirations. Students can find offerings for associate degrees, personal and professional enrichment, and lifelong learning. Transfer credit agreements exist between Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College and the following institutions: Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University.
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC). Through AIHEC, the College is able to provide students with increased educational opportunities including scholarships from the American Indian College Fund.
In October 2009, the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools approved the College as a candidate for accreditation. In December 2010, the Department of Education approved Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College to receive funds under Title IV for federal student aid. In addition, the Bureau of Indian Education approved the institution to receive funding under the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act.
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College was granted full accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools on June 27, 2013. The revised business program was approved by the Commission on October 27, 2014, and the new Anishinaabe studies program was approved on October 26, 2015.
The College joined the Michigan Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers in 2013 and became a signatory to the Michigan Transfer Agreement in 2014. The Agricultural Act of 2014 (Public Law 113–79—FEB. 7, 2014, Sec. 7402 Equity in Educational Land-Grant Status Act of 1994) gave Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College status as a 1994 land grant institution.