The Case for Two-Year College and Career Certificate Programs
The road to higher education is paved with decisions that guide — and sometimes reroute — students to their destination. Finding the right path might seem overwhelming, but breaking the miles into smaller steps can help, and for many students, starting at a two-year school is a solid beginning.
Benefits of community college
While cost and distance can be barriers to attending universities, local community colleges offer numerous affordable programs, from college degrees in arts and sciences to certificates in numerous fields. According to the U.S. Department of Education, the country’s 1,022 community colleges enroll about 44 percent of U.S. undergraduates, many of them part time.
Community colleges are traditionally two-year institutions that offer a variety of associate degrees. Now some have begun to offer select four-year degrees, as well as non-certificate technical programs and trainings. Most of these schools also offer certificate programs, focused on specific, job-ready skills, that are often shorter and more affordable than a full degree program.
For students who want to go on to a four-year school, community colleges often provide a direct way to transfer credits. With 90 percent of the U.S. population living within commuting distance of a community college, students can save money they would otherwise spend on room and board. The accessibility of community colleges also creates a supportive environment for students who have responsibilities such as working, parenting, or caregiving.
Get a college jump-start
Dual enrollment programs that allow high school students to take college courses and earn credits, along with widely accepted advanced placement testing, can offer a faster path to a degree. Additionally, students can get an academic boost from CLEP, the College Level Examination Program, offered at most community colleges. Through CLEP students earn credits for knowledge they already possess via prior coursework, independent study, or on-the-job training. These standardized tests offer students a flexible way to earn college credits.
In addition to options for accelerating a degree path, community colleges often offer bridge programs for extra academic support. Specifically designed to help learners transition into their college experience, bridge programs incorporate offerings tailored to meet specific learner needs. A bridge program might acquaint incoming first-year students with college-level coursework or offer remedial support to help build skills.
The TCU advantage
Tribal colleges offer the benefits of a community college, plus they incorporate Indigenous culture throughout the campus experience. Dr. Duane Bedell, president of Bay Mills Community College in Michigan, highlights this mission. “TCUs offer more than just an education — they offer belonging and are often the hub of their communities,” he says. “At BMCC, we work to provide accessible, culturally grounded, and community driven learning experiences.”
Online learning has proven vital to students as careers increasingly move toward incorporating remote models, and many tribal colleges have pioneered virtual offerings. Kendra Voris dean of distance education at BMCC, says the school has offered remote learning for more than 25 years. “Our students can pursue their educational goals without leaving their families or tribal communities, expanding access to quality higher education for Native American students wherever they call home,” she explains.
Another tribal college embracing technology and online learning to propel students into impactful careers is Turtle Mountain College in North Dakota. The college has a robust IT program with a focus on cybersecurity. With certification as a Center of Academic Excellence for its cyber defense program, as well as its NC-SARA designation, TMC has found great success using hybrid and fully online course models. Students in the Cyber Center programs can pursue bachelor’s and associate degrees as well as certificates, with the program aiming to add a master’s degree soon. Michael Selburg, TMC’s IT director, says, “The goal is to get our students certified, graduated, and employed. Of our certified students, 75 percent have found jobs, and 85 percent of tribal businesses in our community employ TMC grads.” The program has built partnerships with companies that provide internship opportunities, giving graduates a straight path to employment. “These partnerships build the roads that give our students hope,” says cybersecurity instructor Marlin Allery. “They see other TMC students succeeding and believe they can do it too.”
Reach for what you need
Knowing where to find support for your post–high school education can be just as important as deciding where to enroll. AISES provides numerous academic scholarships as well as scholarships for students enrolled full time in vocational or certificate programs. One is the AISES Indian Motorcycle Vocational Trade Scholarship, which offers $2,000 per academic year. More information can be found at aises.org /scholarships. There you’ll also find resources for Indigenous students in STEM, including college readiness and student success help and connections to mentorships, research opportunities, and internships. Moreover, AISES College Chapters on many campuses provide ongoing community and support.
The American Indian College Fund also offers numerous resources. Kelley Mitchell, senior program officer for college access and success, understands firsthand the value of support for Indigenous students. After feeling out of place at a large university, her eyes were opened to tribal colleges when she visited the Institute of American Indian Arts in New Mexico. “Being there changed my mindset about college,” Mitchell recalls. “I wanted to show up and share my voice. That’s where things changed for me as a Native woman — I was no longer making myself small.” Mitchell’s experience as a TCU student shaped her career trajectory, and now she works to ensure that other Indigenous students enroll and thrive in college.
Visit collegefund.org to access resources like the free Native Pathways Guidebook for help choosing a college and knowing what to expect once enrolled. The TCU Exploration Guide gives students a detailed breakdown of all the schools. On the College Fund’s YouTube channel, you can learn about scholarship programs, get career advice, and listen to talking circles. To keep up with the latest information, follow the College Fund on social media at Native Pathways.
Choosing a college will be easier if you learn about your options and know you have support. As Mitchell notes, the most important thing is knowing you can find confidence in yourself, supported by community, as you explore new worlds of opportunity. “Going to college gives you pride in yourself and where you come from,” she says. “It shows you that you can be an empowered member of your tribal community as a college student. A community college is just as great as an Ivy League school, and you should choose the space that makes you happy.”
