December 05, 2025

Tribal Colleges Brace for Disruption as Oversight Shifts to Interior Department

The U.S. Department of the Interior is going to take over managing tribal college funds as the Education Department sheds many of its programs. College leaders are worried.

U.S National Arboretum Internships

Deadline January 19, 2026

EVENTS & WEBINARS TO CHECK OUT

Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF) is accepting applications for the 2026 Summer Internship Grants program! 

Through this grant, Tribal land offices can receive up to $10,000 to host paid high school interns who will gain real-world experience in Tribal land management, mapping, cultural preservation, environmental data collection, and more. 

By hosting interns, your office helps develop the next generation of Native land professionals—those who will carry forward the essential work of protecting and restoring Tribal homelands. 

Anatomy and Physiology I & II Supplemental Program

The AIHEC health initiatives team partnered with Dr. Allison Kelliher (Koyukon Atahabascan, Dena), an Alaskan physician, to create a supplemental educational anatomy and physiology program designed for TCU students. The program is specifically for TCU students enrolled in A&P II to work in partnership with A&P II offered at the TCUs, but is open to anyone interested participating. The FREE virtual program begins January 2026 and meets weekly through the Spring 2026 semester. Students can apply directly through the link or be referred to Maggie Grandon (mgrandon@aihec.org) to answer any questions. 

Applications for the 2026 cycle of the Cobell Fellowship Program opportunities are now open - starting September 1, 2025! More on both the Cobell Graduate Summer Research Fellowship and the Elouise Cobell Dissertation Writing Year Fellowship can be found at cobellscholar.org. Applications will be accepted until January 10, 2026, without exception.

JOB/INTERNSHIP

ANNOUNCEMENTS

City of Atqasuk Supports Development of Iḷisaġvik College’s New Campus

The new campus will bring all operations together in a single, modern facility that will expand the college’s capacity, connectivity, and ability to serve every village within the North Slope Borough.

To Educate American Indians: Writings from the National Education Association, 1900-1904

Skogen’s review of significant policy and practice in the educa­tion of American Indian students through federal archival schol­arship provides a critical context when reflecting on the policies and practices that define American Indian education today.

Tribal College Journal On Campus

Tribal College & University News Round-up

Other News

Land-Grant Universities: History & Native American Colleges

Muscogee Nation sounds alarm as it risks losing two Indigenous languages

Lindsey Schneider uplifts Indigenous students at CSU, beyond

AIHEC Participates at NCAI

Last week, AIHEC participated in the National Congress of American Indians Annual Convention in Seattle, Washington. President Leander McDonald of United Tribes Technical College co-chaired the Education Subcommittee alongside the National Indian Education Association. The convention featured meaningful discussions and the adoption of resolutions aimed at advancing and strengthening Native education.

American Indian Higher Education Consortium's Statement on U.S. Dept. of Education Changes

The Department of Education’s recent changes will have significant implications for the nation’s education system. The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is monitoring this development and remains committed to working closely with the Department of the Interior to ensure stability and continuity for Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and their students. AIHEC will continue to advocate for approaches that uphold the federal government’s trust and treaty obligations to Tribal Nations and protect the vital role of TCUs in advancing Tribal sovereignty and student success.

Tribal leaders say Trump administration failed to consult with them on Education Department changes

Our Stories,

Our Strength,

Our Future.

Available Hotels for the

2026 AIHEC Student Conference