Diverse issues in Higher Education interviews Carrie Billy, a member of the Navajo Nation who serves as president of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium From 1998 through 2001, she served as the first executive director of the White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities.

"Q: What are your hopes for tribal colleges under the incoming Obama administration?

I’m excited about the new administration; it’s a positive change for Indian country, for the United States, for the world. There are new opportunities for us to refocus on academic- and culturally based education and native language restoration. Obama understands the importance of sustaining native culture, languages and traditions. We’re looking forward to working with him on that, in addition to economic development opportunities for Native Americans and higher education issues like increasing the number of Pell Grants.

Q: What is your biggest priority for tribal colleges?

Tribal colleges are so poorly funded. The number one priority is to achieve full and forward funding. Tribal colleges receive funding for their annual operation budgets from the federal government because they are located on trust lands. But the funds always arrive late - colleges don’t receive the funds until six or seven months after the academic year starts. We want to get forward funding (money in advance) in order to have more stability."

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Tribal Colleges’ Top Priority for Obama: ‘Full and Forward Funding’ (Diverse 1/12)