The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is a nonprofit organization governed by a board of directors, composed of the presidents of the accredited United States-based Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs).

In 1973, the first six American Indian tribally-controlled colleges established AIHEC to provide a support network as they worked to influence federal policies on American Indian higher education.

Today, AIHEC has grown to 37 TCUs. Each of these institutions was created and chartered by its own tribal government or the federal government for the specific purpose of providing higher education opportunities to American Indians through programs that are locally and culturally based, holistic, and supportive.

Through AIHEC, colleges work together to influence policy and build programs in all facets of higher education. The methods include:

• Receiving technical assistance in key areas;
• Networking with one another, federal agencies, other institutions, and potential partners;
• Mentoring new institutions;
• Planning new initiatives to address evolving areas of need.

AIHEC provides leadership and influences public policy on American Indian and Alaska Native higher education issues through advocacy, research, and programmatic initiatives; promotes and strengthens Indigenous languages, cultures, communities, lands, and tribal nations; and through its unique position, serves member institutions and developing TCUs.

AIHEC activities are supported by member dues, grants and contracts.

Resources

Initiatives

TCUs Map

Historical Overview (pdf)

Native Languages Center

FALCON - First Americans Land grant Consortium