LCOOU Associate Nursing Program Granted Initial Accreditation by ACEN

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University is proud to announce that the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) has officially granted Initial Accreditation to its Associate Nursing Program. This decision was made by the ACEN Board of Commissioners during its meeting in September 2024.

The Board of Commissioners determined that the Associate Nursing Program has met all the standards required for initial accreditation, which is effective retroactively from March 18, 2022. The next evaluation visit by the ACEN for the Associate Nursing Program is scheduled for Spring 2029, at which time the program’s ongoing compliance with accreditation standards will be assessed.

“This is an exciting and significant milestone for Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, affirming the high quality of education and commitment to excellence in our nursing program,” said Jamie Gohde, Nursing Program Director. “This accreditation ensures that our students receive a rigorous, comprehensive education that prepares them for success in their nursing careers.”

In 2018, the University Nursing program was slated for closure and was engaged in the closeout process. The incoming administration evaluated the feasibility of keeping the program going and moving toward State Licensure and Full Accreditation. They decided it was in the best interest of Wisconsin Indian Tribes and potential and existing students to set the program up to be successful. Tribal communities lack qualified tribal health professionals so this program is critical to serving tribal needs and creating pipeline of workers into their clinics and hospitals and other wellness areas. This change of direction was a costly investment. The right leadership was in place and over several years have become a premier Wisconsin Tribal University Nursing program site. President Swagger gives much thanks and recognition to Jamie Gohde and her team as well as the students that grew with the program and adjusted to much needed changes and improvements.

The University offers many other top quality academic and educational workforce training opportunities available to all. We invite you to visit us and experience the University environment for yourself.

For more information about the ACEN accreditation or the Associate Nursing Program at Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University, please contact Jamie Gohde at Jgohde@lco.edu