American Indian College Fund honors Dr. Michael Oltrogge

President, Nebraska Indian Community College, the 2022-23 Tribal College and University Honoree of the Year

DENVER – The American Indian College Fund named Dr. Michael Oltrogge, President of Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy, Nebraska, as its 2022-23 Tribal College and University Honoree of the Year. President Oltrogge received a $1,200 honorarium sponsored by The Adolph Coors Foundation for his dedication to tribal college education.

Dr. Oltrogge grew up in a reservation border town served by the college and began his career there as a first-generation student from 1995-1998.

“I was one of six kids. Mom and Dad bought a bowling alley and before that both of my parents drove a school bus, and before that Dad was an over the road truck driver,” Oltrogge said. It was through the bowling alley that his family made lifelong connections in the Umonhon community.

While a student at Nebraska Indian Community College, he took a full-time job as a peer mentor and tutor, and working with students sparked an interest in education as a career. That led to roles as a program coordinator and eventually the director for the Student Success Services program at the college.

“I fell into the educational workplace,” he said. He was the first in his family to get a bachelor’s degree. He earned an Associate of Arts degree in liberal arts and an Associate of Science degree in general science before earning a bachelor’s degree in management from Bellevue University. From there he earned a master’s degree in education administration, a doctorate degree in higher education, and a post-graduate certification in nonprofit administration from Capella University.

“When I started working at the college, it was tough the first year,” he said. But after his first year, he said there was a deluge of people wanting to work with him. It took a long time to build trust because people often came and went from the tribal college. Having grown up near the reservation and been a student at the college, he said one person told him people figured Oltrogge was in it for life and termed him a “lifer.”

Looking back, Dr. Oltrogge agrees. When the board asked him in 2004 to step into the role of president of the college, he said, “I wondered if I could and if I wanted to do it. But I knew I couldn’t say no to working for the college that had given me so many opportunities.”

“Working with students was and is the most fun part of my job,” Dr. Oltrogge says. Knowing the challenges students face when graduating with large college debt, he has made it his mission to use resources to make sure students graduate from Nebraska Indian Community College with no bills.

Dr. Oltrogge’s work focuses on the good of the community. In addition to making sure students graduate without debt, he worked with superintendents at the local K-12 schools and other officials to bring people together for a project to increase broadband access for two reservations, the Santee Nation and Umonhon Nation. He also identifies students who want to stay in the community after graduation and tries to hire them to fill roles at the college. The human resources director, registrar, chief financial officer, and many more are all past graduates hired by the college.

“People with community connections tend to stay at the college,” he says, “and they understand the cultures of the Umonhon and Santee Nations that the college serves.”

In addition to his career at Nebraska Indian Community College, Dr. Oltrogge enjoys riding his motorcycle, construction work, woodworking, camping, hunting, and fishing. He is a private pilot, has a drone pilot certificate, and is currently researching building an e-bike. He also enjoys spending time with his wife, Kristan, and his young daughters, Dezirae and Faith, who are both of Dakota descent.

Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said, “We are so honored to recognize President Oltrogge for his many years of service to his college and to the tribal college movement. We often hear of people who are dedicated but I can personally attest that Dr. Oltrogge’s heart is focused on the well-being of students and their families. His perseverance and creative approach to educational success and access makes it possible for tribal citizens to take full advantage of their college. We join his community and his family in celebrating his contributions.”

About the American Indian College Fund—The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 33 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided $14.45 million in scholarships and other direct student support to American Indian students in 2021-22. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $284 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of academic and support programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators and is one of the nation’s top 100 charities named to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit www.collegefund.org.

Reporters: The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

Photo: Dr. Michael Oltrogge, President, Nebraska Indian Community College.

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