Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) is a tribally controlled, accredited, two-year college located in L’Anse, Michigan. Chartered in 1975 by the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Tribal Council, KBOCC was established as an independent, non-profit educational institution dedicated to serving the unique needs of Native American and local community learners. Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, KBOCC continues to uphold its mission of delivering high-quality, culturally grounded education that promotes student success, self-determination, and community well-being.
Mission:
To support and uplift all learners to achieve their goals through holistic education, while promoting Anishinaabe culture, language, and lifeways.
Vision:
To be an intergenerational center of educational excellence and innovation grounded in Anishinaabe values for community advancement and well-being.
KBOCC offers a wide range of academic and vocational programs designed to prepare students for employment, advanced education, and lifelong learning. Academic offerings include:
Associate Degrees:
Anishinaabe Studies
Anishinaabe Art
Business Administration
Early Childhood Education
Environmental Science (including Sustainability Emphasis)
General Studies
Health Science
Nursing
Psychology
Vocational and Community Enrichment Programs:
Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways
Early Middle College partnerships
Personal and professional enrichment courses
The College also operates a preschool and early learning childcare center, supporting families and early childhood education in the region.
KBOCC received full accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission in 2013 and participates in the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), facilitating credit transfers to four-year institutions like Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University. The College is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), through which students can access additional support services, including scholarships from the American Indian College Fund.
KBOCC is also recognized as a 1994 Land Grant Institution, a designation that enhances its capacity for community-based agricultural, environmental, and educational programming.
With an average student-to-faculty ratio of 7:1, KBOCC emphasizes small class sizes and personalized learning. Students benefit from culturally relevant curriculum, access to supportive faculty and staff, and opportunities for research and leadership. KBOCC also offers on-campus resources including a student cafeteria, events programming, and academic support services.
KBOCC is located in the village of L’Anse, nestled along the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Surrounded by natural beauty—from forested hills to Michigan’s highest point, Mt. Arvon—the campus provides an inspiring and peaceful setting for learning and reflection. Baraga County is rich in history, culture, and outdoor recreation, making it an ideal location for holistic education rooted in place and tradition.
