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Central Wyoming College outlines trio, workforce and degree pathways that support reservation students but warns of federal funding risk
Summary
Central Wyoming College officials described multi‑layered supports — TRIO precollege programs, bachelor programs, tribal partnerships and noncredit tribal‑focused seminars — that have raised enrollments and graduation counts, while warning that proposed federal budget cuts to TRIO and NASNTI would threaten the pipeline.
Central Wyoming College officials told the Select Committee on Tribal Relations that the college provides a broad set of pre‑college and college programs that have increased enrollment and graduation among reservation students, but said federal funding cuts could imperil the pipeline.
Why it matters: CWC argued that federal and private grant support underpins its precollege and student‑support programs and that proposed cuts to TRIO, NASNTI and federal work‑study would reduce access and completion among tribal students.
Brad Tindall, CWC president, outlined the college’s approach: extensive TRIO programming (Talent Search, GEAR UP, Upward Bound and Student Support Services) that serves about 650 largely at‑risk students in the pipeline; noncredit tribal seminars and a Tribal Wisdom Society designed as an indigenized leadership program; and new bachelor‑level applied‑science pathways tailored to regional workforce needs and tribal leadership.
Corey Daley, vice president for student affairs, said the college relies on a mix of federal grants, college general‑fund support and private philanthropy. He flagged that about 71% of financial support for tribal students comes from federal sources and that proposed federal budget changes — including raising the full‑time Pell minimum from 12 to 15 credits and cutting federal work‑study — pose risks to participation and completion.
CWC representatives described outcomes: increasing bachelor and associate graduates, growth in CTE and apprenticeship supports, and career pathways worked with Job Corps and tribal employers. The college said it is pursuing private fundraising and partnerships with the University of Wyoming to create clearer transfer pathways for tribal students.
No committee action was taken; members and college leaders discussed coordination with UW and the state to protect grant streams and expand structured transfer pathways.
