Tohono O'odham Community College Campuses

The San Xavier District Instructional Site of Tohono O'odham Community College extends educational opportunities to the San Xavier community near Tucson, focusing on accessible, community-based learning. This site primarily offers lower-division and certificate programs, with a strong emphasis on workforce development and cultural preservation. Courses are scheduled to accommodate working adults and families, promoting higher education without relocation. The site delivers core general education requirements alongside specialized vocational training, ensuring alignment with the main campus curriculum for seamless credit transfer.

Central to the offerings is the Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, featuring courses in English, mathematics, social sciences, and fine arts. Students explore topics like critical thinking, statistics, psychology, and art history, often incorporating Tohono O'odham viewpoints to enhance relevance. Business programs include introductory accounting, entrepreneurship, and office management, tailored to support local enterprises and tribal governance. Early Childhood Education remains a key focus, with classes on child psychology, inclusive teaching strategies, and Tohono O'odham storytelling in early learning settings, addressing the district's childcare needs.

• Health and Wellness: Certificate in Community Health Aide, covering first aid, nutrition, diabetes prevention, and traditional healing practices integral to O'odham wellness.
• Information Technology Basics: Courses in Microsoft Office, internet safety, and basic programming to bridge the digital divide in rural areas.
• Cultural Studies: Tohono O'odham history, language immersion, and environmental stewardship, emphasizing the San Xavier area's unique heritage and mission history.
• Vocational Skills: Short courses in customer service, basic welding, and agricultural techniques suited to the region's farming and tourism sectors.

This site fosters a close-knit learning community, with instructors who are often local residents providing mentorship. Partnerships with nearby institutions like the University of Arizona facilitate dual enrollment options. Enrollment supports around 100 students per semester, with flexible online-hybrid formats. The programs aim to build skills for employment in Tucson-area jobs while strengthening cultural ties, empowering residents to contribute to both the Nation and broader society through education that honors their roots.

Situated in the remote Santa Rosa District, the Instructional Site at Tohono O'odham Community College provides vital educational access to the Sif Oidak community, emphasizing practical skills and cultural continuity. This smaller outpost focuses on certificate and foundational associate-level courses, designed for flexibility to serve ranching families and seasonal workers. Instruction integrates hands-on, place-based learning, drawing on the desert landscape for real-world applications in agriculture and environmental studies.

The site offers essential general education courses such as developmental English, basic mathematics, and introductory sciences, building academic readiness for degree pursuit. Liberal Arts components include cultural anthropology, U.S. government, and communications, with discussions centered on tribal sovereignty and O'odham governance. Business Administration courses cover small business operations, financial literacy, and leadership, supporting entrepreneurial ventures in rural settings. A highlight is the Early Childhood Education track, featuring modules on play-based learning, family engagement, and incorporating O'odham legends into curricula for young learners.

• Agriculture and Natural Resources: Courses in sustainable farming, livestock management, and water conservation, vital for the district's arid ranching economy.
• Health Sciences: Basic nursing aide training, mental health awareness, and traditional herbal medicine, promoting community health resilience.
• Tohono O'odham Studies: Language classes, oral history projects, and arts like song and dance, preserving intangible cultural heritage.
• Practical Trades: Certificates in auto mechanics, solar energy installation, and emergency response, addressing remote living challenges.

With intimate class settings, the site encourages peer support and elder involvement in teaching. Collaborations with extension services provide resources like computer labs and fieldwork. Serving approximately 50-75 students yearly, the programs prioritize retention through culturally sensitive advising. Graduates often return as community leaders, applying knowledge to improve local conditions while upholding traditions. This site exemplifies TOCC's commitment to equitable education across the Nation, blending academic rigor with the spirit of O'odham self-reliance.

Tohono O'odham Community College's Sells Main Campus serves as the primary hub for higher education within the Tohono O'odham Nation, offering a comprehensive array of associate degrees, certificates, and foundational courses tailored to the community's needs. The curriculum emphasizes culturally relevant education, integrating Tohono O'odham language, history, and traditions with standard academic disciplines. Students can pursue the Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts, which provides a broad foundation in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences, preparing graduates for transfer to four-year institutions. Key courses include English composition, college algebra, introductory biology, and American history, all delivered with an emphasis on indigenous perspectives.

In addition to liberal arts, the campus offers vocational and professional programs. The Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration covers accounting principles, management strategies, marketing, and computer applications, equipping students for roles in tribal enterprises and local businesses. Early Childhood Education programs focus on child development, curriculum planning, and culturally appropriate teaching methods, addressing the need for qualified educators in reservation schools. Health sciences are prominent, with certificate programs in Nursing Assistant and Community Health Worker, including anatomy, patient care, and cultural competency in healthcare. Information Technology courses introduce computer literacy, networking, and software development, fostering digital skills essential for modern employment.

• Environmental Science and Natural Resources: Courses on sustainable land management, water resources, and ecology, reflecting the Nation's arid environment and agricultural heritage.
• Tohono O'odham Language and Culture: Immersive classes in O'odham grammar, oral traditions, basketry, and ceremonial practices to preserve cultural identity.
• General Education: Mathematics, communications, and physical education to build core competencies.
• Workforce Development: Short-term certificates in construction trades, hospitality, and administrative support for immediate job placement.

With small class sizes and dedicated faculty, the campus supports student success through tutoring, advising, and community partnerships. Programs are designed to empower Tohono O'odham people, promoting self-determination and economic development. Over 300 students enroll annually, benefiting from hands-on learning and field experiences on the reservation. This holistic approach ensures graduates are well-prepared for careers, further education, or leadership roles within their communities, blending traditional knowledge with contemporary skills in a supportive environment.