On May 5, 2025, representatives from Nebraska Indian Community College (NICC) visited Bay Mills Community College (BMCC) to formalize an articulation agreement that will allow NICC Early Childhood Education students to seamlessly transfer into BMCC’s bachelor’s degree program. The visit included a campus tour, breakfast, and a signing ceremony, marking a significant step in strengthening educational collaboration between the two institutions.
The day began with breakfast on BMCC’s main campus, followed by tours of the main campus, west campus, Waishkey Bay Farm, and Bay Mills Indian Community. The articulation agreement was then signed by key leaders, including NICC President Michael Oltrogge, NICC Dean of Academics Kristine Sudbeck, BMCC President Duane Bedell, and BMCC Vice President of Academic Affairs Samantha Cameron. Also in attendance were NICC Education Division Head Viji Rajasekar and BMCC Early Childhood Education (ECE) Department Chair Heather Stelzer.
This partnership will enable NICC students who have earned an associate degree in Early Childhood Education to continue their studies toward a bachelor’s degree at BMCC, with the first cohort expected to enroll as early as Fall 2025. The collaboration was initiated last summer when NICC’s Sudbeck and Rajasekar reached out to BMCC’s Stelzer to explore the possibility. After multiple planning meetings, the teams finalized a pathway designed to ensure a smooth transition for NICC students.
This partnership highlights both institutions' commitment to student success and educational accessibility, providing new opportunities for NICC graduates to advance their careers in a critical and growing field.
NICC's ECE program can be viewed here.
For more information, contact BMCC or NICC’s academic offices.