The Collective Spirit and Unifying Voice of our Nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities | | AIHEC Statement on FY 2025 Federal Funding Increase for Tribal Colleges and Universities | | | | | The American Indian Higher Education Consortium would like to congratulate President Stephen Schoonmaker on his formal inauguration ceremony at Tohono O'odham Community College! We thank him for his leadership and wish him all the best! | | | | Updates from the U.S. Department of Agriculture | | |
This week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it will be holding a Tribal Consultation on the USDA Department Reorganization Plan. The Department released its 2025 reorganization plan through a Secretarial Memorandum (SM) 1078-015 on July 24, 2025. This plan announced bold steps necessary to achieve improved effectiveness and accountability, enhanced services, reduced bureaucracy, and cost savings for the American people.
This consultation series will be held on the following dates, times, and locations:
Date: October 14, 2025
Time: 2:00-5:00 P.M. Eastern Time
Location: Washington, D.C. (exact address to be announced)
Registration Link:
VIRTUAL: Click to register for the consultation virtually.
N PERSON: Click to register for the consultation in-person.
Date: October 16, 2025
Time: 12:00-3:00 P.M. Mountain Time
Location: Denver, CO (exact address to be announced)
Registration Link:
VIRTUAL: Click to register for the consultation virtually.
IN PERSON: Click to register for the consultation in-person.
More Information. USDA will publish more information, including Framing Papers for this consultation series, at a later date on the Office of Tribal Relations Consultation website. These documents are intended to guide and not limit discussion on areas where USDA requests input.
| | **Next Week, the Department will be hosting two (2) Tribal Consultations. Please find the background and registration information below for the two (2) sessions.** | | |
Tribal Consultation on
Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Priority Development
Tuesday, September 23, 2025 | 2:30–5:30 p.m. ET
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) will conduct consultation on the Department’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request to the President. The purpose of this consultation will be to receive meaningful input from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to ensure that Tribal leader views inform the development of budget priorities. The Department remains committed to upholding the federal trust responsibility as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, executive orders, and court decisions. This consultation will be conducted by the Office of Indian Education (OIE) and facilitated by the Tribal Consultation Official for the Department.
Venue: ZoomGov
Date: September 23, 2025
Time: 2:30–5:30 p.m. ET
Registration Link: Click Here
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Tribal Consultation on
Comprehensive Implementation of Executive Orders
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 2:30–5:30 p.m. ET
The U.S. Department of Education will conduct a consultation on Presidential Executive Order(s) related to public education since January 20, 2025. The purpose of this consultation will be to receive meaningful input from American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities to ensure that Tribal leaders' views inform how the Department can comprehensively implement both the President’s orders while upholding federal trust and Treaty obligations. The Department remains committed to upholding the federal trust responsibility as set forth in the Constitution of the United States, treaties, executive orders, and court decisions. This consultation will be conducted by the Office of Indian Education (OIE) and facilitated by the Tribal Consultation Official for the Department.
Venue: ZoomGov
Date: September 24, 2025
Time: 2:30–5:30 p.m. ET
Registration Link: Click Here
| | EVENTS & WEBINARS TO CHECK OUT | | 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. | | Calling all teachers and educators! Want to connect directly to science experts who study our planet? NOAA offers opportunities to "Connect with NOAA" and bring real-world science to life. Schedule a virtual school talk with U.S. National Weather Service, find guest speakers, professional development opportunities, and more all at https://www.noaa.gov/education/back-to-school. | | Registration is now Open for the AIHEC Fall Board Meeting! | |
2025 National Conference
October 2-4, 2025 - Minneapolis, Minnesota
The Annual AISES National Conference is a unique, three-day event focusing on educational, professional, and workforce development for Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers.
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JOB/INTERNSHIP
ANNOUNCEMENTS
| | | | Institute of American Indian Arts Raises $1.2 Million for Scholarships | Celebrities and supporters of the Institute of American Indian Arts gathered recently in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the Scholarships Shape Futures—2025 IAIA Benefit and Auction. | | | | The award-winning author from the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe stresses the importance of storytelling and sharing our varied experiences. | | New Report: Tribal Colleges Boost the Economy | | | AIHEC TCU Economic Impact Study Briefing Highlights | | Two Indigenous College Presidents Among 2025 Aspen Ascend Fellows Advancing Family Well-Being | | | Institute of American Indian Arts Announces the Launch of Alum Database! | | |
We’re proud to announce the launch of the IAIA Alum Database—a new resource celebrating the identities of our more than 4,000 graduates. This searchable database highlights IAIA alums by name, graduation year, and Tribal affiliation, showcasing the breadth and diversity of our community. From celebrated artists and cultural leaders to educators and changemakers, IAIA alums continue to carry connections forward and our mission in powerful ways.
Explore the database to see how our alums represent over 90% of the 562 federally recognized Tribes, shaping the future through their creativity, scholarship, and leadership.
Browse the database at https://iaia.edu/introducting-the-new-iaia-alum-database/
If you do not see your name in the database, or if the information we have is incorrect, please use this photo release from the link to enter your info: https://iaia.wufoo.com/forms/zcp78t41do0xuw/
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Tribal Consultation on
Comprehensive Implementation of Executive Orders
Wednesday, September 24, 2025 | 2:30–5:30 p.m. ET
The U.S. Department of Education (Department) will conduct a consultation on Presidential Executive Order(s) related to public education since January 20, 2025. The purpose of this consultation is to receive input from Tribal leaders on helping the Department identify flexibilities where possible under existing law (this includes Treaty obligations) to improve educational outcomes, address specific needs of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities, and reduce duplicative functions across government to ensure Tribes are better served.
The following resources below can be used to help Tribal leaders prepare for the upcoming consultation:
· EO 14191: Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-02233 (February 3, 2025)
· EO 14279: Reforming Accreditation To Strengthen Higher Education https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-07376 (April 28, 2025)
· EO 14242: Empowering Parents, States, and Communities https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-05213 (March 20, 2025)
· EO 14277: Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2025-07368 (April 28, 2025)
Additional Executive Orders are available on the National Archives’ Federal Register Executive Order Index website at: https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025.
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