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�ֲ���ý and Pawnee Nation College have entered into a new partnership to expand higher education opportunities in rural and tribal communities. Through a Memorandum of Understanding, �ֲ���ý will share academic resources and expertise to support PNC on its path toward full accreditation.

�ֲ���ý and have entered into a partnership designed to help PNC advance its efforts toward full accreditation while creating expanded opportunities for students in Pawnee Nation and other rural communities.

Leaders from both institutions gathered at the �ֲ���ý West Campus to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that formalizes the collaboration. The agreement allows PNC to operate under �ֲ���ý’s academic and administrative framework as it works toward accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, a critical step for any institution granting fully recognized degrees.

Through the partnership, �ֲ���ý will provide academic resources, faculty collaboration, and student support systems that strengthen PNC’s institutional capacity. In turn, PNC will continue its mission of serving students in the Pawnee Nation and surrounding communities by offering culturally relevant education that connects local traditions with academic success.

“This agreement shows what is possible when institutions work together for students,” said Leigh Goodson, Ph.D., �ֲ���ý President and CEO. “By supporting Pawnee Nation College in its pursuit of accreditation, we are opening the door for more students in rural communities to access the same quality and breadth of higher education opportunities as those in larger cities.”

Founded in 2004, PNC is a tribally controlled college based in Pawnee, Oklahoma, that serves traditional and non-traditional students from the Pawnee Nation and beyond. With �ֲ���ý, it will offer degree programs in Business Administration, Child Development, and Environmental Science and Natural Resources.

“This partnership is a turning point for Pawnee Nation College,” said Staci Burns, PNC President and CEO. “With the support of �ֲ���ý, we are strengthening our foundation and creating new opportunities for our students to thrive. Accreditation is essential to our future, and this collaboration moves us significantly closer to that goal while honoring our community’s vision for higher education.”

The partnership is expected to provide immediate benefits to students, such as access to �ֲ���ý’s advising services, library resources, and academic policies, while laying the groundwork for long-term institutional growth at PNC.

The collaboration represents an important milestone for higher education in Oklahoma, especially for students in rural and tribal communities who have historically faced barriers to pursuing a degree.