The first and oldest tribal college in Oklahoma has received word of another first  the Comanche Nation College will be able to offer certificates and associate-level degrees.

The Board of Trustees for the North Central Association-Higher Learning Commission voted Nov. 1 to grant Comanche Nation College "the status of candidate for accreditation," according to a letter from NCA-HLC President Sylvia Manning.

With candidate for accreditation status, Comanche Nation College is now approved to offer certificates and associate-level degrees, said Brian Daffron, associate professor of English.

"Comanche Nation College is the first and oldest tribal college in Oklahoma, founded by charter from the Comanche Nation in 2002," Daffron said. "The Comanche Nation College has 195 enrolled full-time students and has awarded seven associate-level degrees."

The granting of candidate for accreditation status is based on a self-study written by Comanche Nation College, a report by an evaluation team appointed by NCA-HLC, a report to the NCA-HLC Institutional Actions Council Hearing Committee, and successful responses by Comanche Nation College to these reports.

"This journey has taken Comanche Nation College four years to accomplish and is indeed an accomplishment as we are now the first Oklahoma accredited tribal college," said Consuelo Lopez, college president. "The accreditation will indeed give us the ability to provide students with financial aid, thereby giving us independence to meet the needs of our community and better serve our students."

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