Cankdeska Cikana Community College

What Cankdeska Cikana Community College does

Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) is a federally supported comprehensive land-grant tribal community college located in Fort Totten, North Dakota, serving the Spirit Lake Reservation community and broader North Dakota region. Founded circa 1974 and named after Paul Yankton Sr. (Dakota name: Cankdeska Cikana, meaning "Little Hoop"), the institution operates as a nonprofit with 11-50 employees and offers 12 academic programs spanning Associate of Arts degrees (Business Administration, Indigenous/Dakota Studies, Early Childhood Education, Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Social Work), Associate of Science degrees (Natural Resource Management, Pre-Engineering), and certificate programs (Carpentry, Professional Driver Training/CDL, Dakota Language, Administrative Assistant). The college also operates a Registered Apprenticeship Program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor and employer sponsors, alongside an Evelyn Greene Learning Center providing GED preparation as an official Pearson VUE Testing Site.

The institution runs on standard educational infrastructure including Moodle for learning management, Empower SIS for student information, Microsoft Office 365 for communications, and Akademos/TextbookX for the online bookstore. Notable physical technology assets include an E-F Truck Driving Simulator with 2 degrees of freedom motion platform for CDL training, and a Valerie Merrick Memorial Library with 18,923 books, 30 magazines, 7 newspapers, and 1,263 DVDs. Research activity includes a bladder cancer biomarker research collaboration with the University of North Dakota School of Health and Medical Sciences using digital PCR, mRNA isolation, cDNA creation, and western blotting techniques.

CCCC's business model combines tuition revenue ($150/credit hour, ~$1,800/semester full-time tuition plus $175 fees), federal land-grant appropriations, and distribution of federal Pell grants, SEOG, work-study, state aid, and tribal/BIA aid (Federal School Code 015793). Distribution channels include direct campus instruction at the Fort Totten campus, articulation agreements with Mayville State University and the University of North Dakota (Silver Certificate under NDUS GERTA), and FMCSA-registered CDL training pathways. Marketing relies on direct community engagement, the littlehoop.edu website, Facebook and Twitter presence, campus visits, and partnerships with Spirit Lake Nation.

Name

Cankdeska Cikana Community College

Legal name

Cankdeska Cikana Community College

Website

https://littlehoop.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a federally supported land-grant tribal community college in Fort Totten, North Dakota, serving the Spirit Lake Reservation community with 12 associate degree and certificate programs, apprenticeship pathways, and GED preparation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community College Higher Education

NAICS

Junior Colleges (6112), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Community/Tribal Two-Year Colleges (Associate Degree–Granting) (EDAHANAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Tribal Land-Grant Institutions (1994 Land-Grant TCUs) (EDAHANAC)

Keywords

• Community college education
• Tribal college programs
• Associate degree programs
• Career technical education
• Workforce training certificates

Headquarters

HQ city

Fort Totten

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from student tuition at $150 per credit hour, with full-time students (12+ credits) paying approximately $1,800/semester in tuition plus $175/semester in fees. Additional course fees apply for specific programs.
2. Federal Land-Grant Funding: CCCC is a federally supported comprehensive land-grant institution with principal responsibility in North Dakota, providing education, cultural activities and information with emphasis on the Spirit Lake Reservation community.
3. Financial Aid Distribution: CCCC distributes federal Pell grants, SEOG, work-study programs, state aid, tribal/BIA aid, and institutional scholarships to eligible students. Federal school code is 015793.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a federally supported land-grant tribal community college delivering two-year Associate of Arts and Associate of Science degrees (in Business Administration, Indigenous/Dakota Studies, Early Childhood Education, Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, Social Work, Natural Resource Management, and Pre-Engineering), one-year certificate programs (Carpentry, Professional Driver Training/CDL, Dakota Language, Administrative Assistant), and a Registered Apprenticeship Program combining paid work-based learning with degree completion. Student support services include the Valerie Merrick Memorial Library, Evelyn Greene Learning Center for GED preparation and Pearson VUE testing, financial aid administration, tutoring, and career coaching.

Product overview

Cankdeska Cikana Community College is a federally-supported land-grant tribal college offering a portfolio of undergraduate degree programs, certificate programs, and workforce development services. The institution provides two-year Associate of Arts degrees in Business Administration, Indigenous/Dakota Studies, Early Childhood Education, Fine Arts, Liberal Arts, and Social Work, as well as Associate of Science degrees in Natural Resource Management and Pre-Engineering. Vocational certificate programs include Carpentry, Professional Driver Training (CDL), Dakota Language, and Administrative Assistant. The college also operates a Registered Apprenticeship Program in partnership with employers and the Department of Labor. Digital services include a Student Portal (integrating Office 365, Moodle LMS, and Empower SIS) and Staff Portal, while student support services encompass the Valerie Merrick Memorial Library, Evelyn Greene Learning Center (GED preparation), financial aid services, tutoring, and career services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Associate of Arts in Business Administration Two-year degree program providing foundational business education covering accounting, business law, statistics, economics, and management. Designed for career entry or transfer to four-year business programs. Target students: prospective undergraduates seeking career entry or transfer to Mayville State / UND business programs.
• Associate of Arts in Indigenous/Dakota Studies Two-year degree focusing on Native culture, history, language, and values of Dakota people. Provides understanding of tribal nations' political status, rights, and responsibilities. Target students: prospective undergraduates from reservation communities and those interested in Indigenous studies.
• Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education Two-year degree preparing students for careers in early childhood care and education. Combines academic base with methods courses for four-year transfer or entry-level employment. Target students: prospective early-childhood educators and transfer-seeking students.
• Associate of Arts in Fine Arts Two-year degree providing studio art curriculum for transfer to four-year institutions or professional art careers. Includes drawing, painting, crafts, and art history. Target students: prospective artists and transfer students.
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts Two-year degree creating a broad educational foundation in social sciences, humanities, mathematics, and sciences. Recommended for students exploring academic options. Target students: prospective undergraduates exploring academic options before specialization.
• Associate of Arts in Social Work Two-year degree preparing students for baccalaureate social work programs. Covers prerequisites in biology, mathematics, English, and social sciences. Target students: prospective social workers pursuing further education.
• Associate of Science in Natural Resource Management Two-year science-based degree focusing on environmental science, biology, and resource management with emphasis on tribal land sovereignty and sustainable practices. Target students: prospective environmental and natural-resource professionals.
• Associate of Science in Pre-Engineering Two-year degree designed for students intending to major in engineering. Covers calculus, chemistry, physics, and engineering fundamentals for transfer to four-year programs. Target students: prospective engineers preparing for transfer to four-year programs.
• Carpentry Certificate One-year certificate program preparing students for entry-level positions in residential and commercial construction. Covers carpentry processes, safety, blueprint reading, and hand/power tools. Target students: prospective construction workers seeking entry-level employment.
• Professional Driver Training Certificate (CDL) Entry-level driver training program certified through FMCSA Training Provider Registry. Covers CDL preparation with simulator training and over-the-road instruction using an E-F Truck Driving Simulator (2-DOF motion platform, OEM steering wheel, pedals, gearbox, LCD dashboard, 5.1 surround sound). Target students: prospective commercial drivers seeking CDL licensure.
• Dakota Language Certificate Certificate program providing intensive study of Dakota language for fluency. Includes courses in Spirit Lake culture, history, and constitution. Target students: community members and students seeking Dakota language fluency and cultural knowledge.
• Administrative Assistant Certificate Two-semester certificate program providing foundation for entry-level administrative assistant and office manager positions. Covers technology, communication, and office procedures. Target students: prospective office professionals seeking entry-level administrative employment.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program (Tribal College Apprenticeship Program - TCAP) Partnership program between CCCC, employers, and the Department of Labor allowing students to earn degrees while working 16-20 hours weekly. Covers Early Childhood Education and Social Work pathways; meets DOL requirements of 144+ hours technical instruction and 2,000+ hours work-based learning. Target students: working students pursuing degrees with employer sponsorship.
• Evelyn Greene Learning Center (GED Preparation) Adult education center providing classroom and online GED preparation, computer literacy, and serving as an official Pearson VUE Testing Site for high school equivalency credentials. Target students: adults seeking GED/high-school-equivalency credentials.
• Valerie Merrick Memorial Library Academic/public tribal library serving students, faculty, and community residents. Holdings include 18,923 books, 30 magazines, 7 newspapers, and 1,263 DVDs with Native American special collections. Provides access to ODIN (Online Dakota Information Network) for interlibrary loan and database research. Target users: students, faculty, and Spirit Lake Nation residents.
• Student Portal Online portal providing student access to Office 365 email, Moodle LMS (classroom.littlehoop.edu), Empower SIS student information system (cnk.empower-xl.com), and the online bookstore. Target users: enrolled CCCC students.
• Staff Portal Online portal for faculty and staff providing access to Office 365 email, Moodle, and the ESS (Employee Self Service) payroll portal (cankdeska.ess.visualgov.com). Target users: CCCC faculty and staff.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Mayville State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement enabling students to transfer credits seamlessly to Mayville State University for bachelor's degree completion. CCCC is formally recognized by NDUS as a Silver Certificate institution under the General Education Transfer Agreement (G.E.R.T.A.).
• University of North DakotacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArticulation agreement for credit transfer to University of North Dakota. Students can pursue bachelor's degrees in business and other disciplines through this pathway.
• North Dakota University SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCCC is formally recognized by NDUS as a Silver Certificate institution under the G.E.R.T.A. (General Education Transfer Agreement) adopted in March 1994, facilitating credit transfer across the 11 North Dakota University System institutions.
• Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCCC is registered as an Entry Level Driver Training Facility in the FMCSA Training Provider Registry, enabling students to obtain CDL licenses and endorsements.
• Department of LaborcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegistered Apprenticeship program partnership following federal Department of Labor regulations. Programs must provide at least 144 hours of related technical instruction and minimum 2,000 hours of work-based learning.
• Employer Sponsors (Apprenticeship)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner employers sponsor apprentices who work 16-20 hours weekly while attending classes. Employers pay majority of college expenses through Tribal College Apprenticeship Program in exchange for work commitment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Turtle Mountain Community College: Turtle Mountain Community College is a tribal college in Belcourt, North Dakota serving the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. It is a fellow NDUS-recognized tribal institution offering associate degrees and certificates under the same federal framework as CCCC.
• Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College: Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (formerly Fort Berthold Community College) is a North Dakota tribal college serving the Three Affiliated Tribes. It operates as a land-grant TCU with associate degrees and workforce programs analogous to CCCC.
• Sitting Bull College: Sitting Bull College is a federally supported tribal college in Fort Yates, North Dakota, also serving a Sioux reservation. It offers associate degrees, bachelor's degrees, and certificate programs — directly comparable to CCCC in mission, governance, and funding structure.
• Diné College: Diné College is the first tribal college, located on the Navajo Nation in Arizona. It is a fellow 1994 Land-Grant TCU offering associate and bachelor's degrees, providing a reference point for CCCC at a larger scale within the same institutional framework.
• Nebraska Indian Community College: Nebraska Indian Community College is a tribal college serving multiple tribal nations in Nebraska with multiple campuses. It is a comparable land-grant TCU offering associate degrees, GED preparation, and community-based programming similar to CCCC.
• Stone Child College: Stone Child College is a tribal college on the Rocky Boy's Reservation in Montana, offering associate degrees and certificates. As a fellow 1994 Land-Grant TCU, it is directly comparable in mission, scale, and funding structure.
• Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College: Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College in Minnesota is a combined tribal and state community college serving the Fond du Lac Band. It offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training with similar land-grant positioning to CCCC.
• Little Priest Tribal College: Little Priest Tribal College is a federally funded tribal college in Winnebago, Nebraska, serving the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. It offers associate degrees and certificates under the same 1994 Land-Grant framework as CCCC, making it a directly comparable regional TCU peer.
• Chief Dull Knife College: Chief Dull Knife College is a tribal college on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation in Montana. It offers associate degrees and certificates under the same federal land-grant framework as CCCC, serving a comparable rural reservation community.
• Aaniiih Nakoda College: Aaniiih Nakoda College (formerly Fort Belknap College) is a Montana tribal college serving the Gros Ventre and Assiniboine tribes. It is a 1994 Land-Grant TCU offering associate degrees and community programming comparable to CCCC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cankdeskacikana
• Facebookfacebook.com/168992406771
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cankdeska-cikana-community-college

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles27 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cankdeska Cikana Community College