Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU) is pleased to share its successful bi-annual accomplishments supporting the 2021/2024 Strategic Goals. The following are notable accomplishments from July 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022.
1. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University will continue to implement our mission by expanding our services and strengthening our relationships to meet the needs of the communities we serve.
• LCOOU received HLC approval to offer a Master’s in Management and a Master’s in Human Services.
• LCOOU transitioned from Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College to Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University; press conference held and new logo announced.
• LCOOU secured $5 million Congressionally Directed Spending from Senator Baldwin as part of the campus expansion project.
• LCOOU hosted a 40th anniversary celebration, over 200 attendees
• LCOOU hosted the 2022 Seven Generations Inter-tribal Leadership Summit, over 200 attendees
• LCOOU hosted an in-person Thanksgiving Feast and Elder Giveaway with over 100 Elders in attendance.
• Financial Aid Coordinator, Kathy Baker, was elected to the Hayward Area Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
• LCOOU Extension:
o Hosted 79 workshops with 547 participants.
o 13, 14/15-year-olds completed an 8-week summer leadership series and earned 3 academic credits and completed a geospatial technology component in conjunction with the Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ILTF)
o 20, 6-9th graders completed a 3-week National Summer Transportation Institute
o The hemp research project moved to the Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University Research Farm; approximately 1 acre was cultivated with 16 unique cultivars. Currently staff are looking for an opportunity to amend the tribal code to include cannabis production for seed and fiber
o Farm hosted 11 community education workshops and served 150+ participants
o Family Farm Day Barbecue and Community Resource Fair on 8/4/22 served 76 participants and brought together 10+ community resources to provide in-person outreach to participants
o Farm served 168 youth through in person visits to area schools visits and Youth in Agriculture programs
• LCOOU Advancement:
o Hosted campus expansion briefings with regional partners.
o Hosted donor meetings on campus.
o Transitioned all materials from “College” to “University.”
• LCOOU hosted recruitment events including College Fairs, Apply in July, Color Run and One Stop Registration events at all sites.
2. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University will practice ethical and responsible conduct by continuing to develop and care for those in its employ.
• LCOOU implemented an Educational Assistance Plan.
• LCOOU implemented a Travel Policy
• LCOOU implementing Ellucian/Colleague development in Financial Aid, Accounts Receivable, CORE Development, Payroll/HR. Creating and implementing policies and procedures. Finance Module went live.
• LCOOU disbursed gas and food vouchers to employees
3. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University will proactively pursue innovative ways to enhance current support services and create new opportunities for its students and alumni.
• LCOOU’s TRIO Student Support Services was awarded $338,836.00, an increase over the previous year. Improvements to TRIO main office and computer lab to enhance participant area ambiance
• LCOOU received $120,000 Grant for Holistic Student Support through Achieving the Dream.
• LCOOU Applied and Received Micro Grants
o AICF Preview Day - $2,000
o AICF Bridge - $3,000
o WE-Energies - $1,000
• LCOOU improved student support:
o Launched the Eagles Nest Closet with food, supplies, clothing, toiletries, winter gear, and more available in all locations.
o Revamp the Transportation Loyalty program – 78 gas cards for 31 students at LCOOU Main Campus- 322 enrichment activities completed
o Disbursed 35 Emergency Aid Applications for a total of $14,333 in help with needs like Rent, Childcare, Utilities, Auto Repairs, and Medical Bills
o Internship Program placed 20 interns through fall semester; 95% of interns had a GPA of 2.0 or above; 100% persistence rate (fall to spring)
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• LCOOU refreshed the Learning Center and stocked it with current textbooks available for references and studying
• LCOOU Student Organizations:
o American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) Chapter took 3rd Place in the TCU Business Plan Writing Competition at the National Conference in Palm Springs, CA
o 14 students and 3 facstaff attended the AISES National Conference in Palm Springs in October
• LCOOU articulation agreement with Marquette University guarantees admissions and full scholarship for Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University graduates with Marquette University.
• LCOOU articulation agreement with the University of Minnesota Mankato for the ADN to BSN program.
• LCOOU Advancement:
o Implemented relationship management software.
o Developed a general brochure
o Partnered with donors to create 4 new institutional scholarship opportunities.
o 17 teams participated in this year’s golf outing with President Swagger sponsoring two alumni teams. The event raised almost $6,000.
o Revamped the Admissions packet.
• LCOOU acquired Touch Net program for online payments, payment plans, and student billing
• LCOOU processed & applied COVID waiver to Spring 2022 and Summer 2022 outstanding balances
4. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will continue to evaluate current academic offerings and develop new programs to meet the needs of the tribal and surrounding communities we serve.
• LCOOU was awarded ATD Straightening Professional Learning for Native American Student Grant
• LCOOU nursing program developed a partnership with Sawyer County Health and Human Services
5. Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe College will continue to develop relationships to increase the capacity to accomplish its goals and meet the needs of its students.
• LCOOU’s Lac du Flambeau Outreach Site moved to a larger location in the Adaawe Mall to provide better services to students and engage/increase community education offerings
• LCOOU created relationships with Lac du Flambeau community partners to increase capacity and meet needs of LDF students through internships, AISES, Youth Funds Committee Member, LakesFest Sponsorship, Adaawe Place Grand Opening Event Participant, Wild Rice Festival Sponsorship, Halloween Event Sponsor, Wisconsin Native Vote Host
• LCOOU continues a partnership with Bad River Early Headstart, Bad River Youth Services; rebuilding a positive relationship with the Bad River community and attending community events (Health Fair, Registration Events, Tabling at the Bad River Pow-wow)
• LCOOU collaborated with the College of Menominee Nation to submit a USDA-NIFA NEXTGEN grant proposal.
• LCOOU Farm worked to develop relationships with LCO K-12 Schools, Hayward, Winter, Northern Waters to promote sustainable agriculture education
• LCOOU Farm developed deeper connections with GLIFWC, WTCAC, Spooner Ag Station, UW FoodWise Program, and other UW Extension programs
• LCOOU Financial Aid Counselor assisting students with the 2022-2023 FAFSA Applications and discuss scholarship opportunities
• LCOOU connected with master students at with scholarship & fellowship opportunities for Spring 2023 and the 2023-2024 academic year.
• LCOOU continue to look for grant and scholarship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students.
• LCOOU completed the process to change our name with the IRS to Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University
About Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University
The Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University’s mission is to provide Anishinaabe communities with post-secondary and continuing education while advancing the language, culture, and history of the Ojibwe.
Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University (LCOOU) is a non-profit Ojibwe tribal college. We are an open-door institution that is proud to serve American Indian students. LCOOU welcomes non-native students and celebrates a diverse student population at all of our locations.
Learn more at http://lco.edu