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Alumni of Tribal Colleges and Universities Better Their Communities

The educational inequality that exists between the American Indian community and the rest of the nation means that many higher education institutions are failing to meet the needs of underrepresented students to help them thrive. Alumni of Tribal Colleges and Universities Better Their Communities, the new report from the American Indian College Fund and Gallup, presents actionable findings colleges and universities can use to develop the experiences students need to enhance their wellbeing, engagement and community ties.

Representing the views of more than 500 American Indian alumni from nine Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), the study measures perceptions of the impact of a TCU education and graduates' current wellbeing and employment outcomes. These outcomes are then connected to crucial student experiences necessary for holistic, long-term success.

Key findings:

  • TCU alumni are nearly two times more likely than their peers nationally to thrive in all elements of wellbeing.
  • TCU alumni give back to their own community. Seventy-four percent report being primarily employed in areas related to American Indian communities or tribal lands, and many work directly with their tribe.
  • TCU alumni are significantly more likely than graduates nationally to say their alma mater prepared them well for life outside of college.
  • TCU alumni benefitted from their campus' unique climate, as they are twice as likely as American Indian graduates nationally to have been supported while obtaining a degree.

Download the report to learn more about these approaches to creating an environment that supports student achievement both during and after college.

Alumni of Tribal Colleges and Universities Better Their Communities

Download the Report

To download the American Indian College Fund and Gallup report Alumni of Tribal Colleges and Universities Better Their Communities, please fill out the form below to receive an email with a link to a PDF of the report. Someone from Gallup may also contact you via email about your interest in this topic.

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