History – Fort Peck Community College

History

Fort Peck Community College is a tribally controlled community college, chartered by the Tribal Executive Board of the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of Fort Peck Indian Reservation in 1978.

This charter followed a 1977 Tribal Executive Board resolution creating the Fort Peck Tribal Education Department, which in turn set the foundation for establishing the college. These two actions secured the Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes as national leaders for tribally controlled education, and placed the college on its path to becoming an effective and successful community based institution of higher learning.

A nine member Board of Directors, of which seven must be enrolled members of the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes, governs the college. The Board of Directors is committed to advancing institutional development through critical thinking, strategic planning, and the application of resources consistent with fulfillment of its mission. This commitment, joined with the inclusion of faculty and staff in establishing policy and performance standards, and institutional assessment criterion, has resulted in a creative approach to addressing student success and community involvement.

The college is recognized for outstanding academic and vocational education offerings, innovative student services initiatives, and comprehensive community service programs. All of which began when higher education courses were initiated through extension services offered by Dawson Community College, Glendive, Montana in 1969. A cooperative agreement between the Tribal Executive Board and Miles Community College, Miles City, Montana in 1977, provided for the first reservation based courses. This arrangement was funded through a Title III Grant for Developing Institutions.

Significant FPCC milestones include the 1987 acceptance by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges, Commission on Colleges for accreditation candidacy, followed by full accreditation in December of 1991. Accreditation was reaffirmed following the 2001 Interim Report, and site visit. Tribal Colleges received United States Department of Agriculture Land Grant status in 1994. As a 1994 Land Grant Institution, FPCC has successfully administered agricultural programs designed to enhance agriculture and community services throughout the area.

Recent years has witnessed extensive campus growth and development, with acquisition, construction and renovation of campus facilities in both Poplar and Wolf Point. The Wolf Point campus facility was completed for the start of Fall semester, 2003. The new facility provides 12,000 square feet of classroom, office, and multi-purpose space, all of which is equipped with the finest in technology and distance learning capability. This beautiful structure graces the Wolf Point community from its location at the corner of Third and Benton Streets.