VINHE is a new collective convened by SCHEV that will serve as a conduit of communication and collaboration between higher education and the Commonwealth’s Tribal Nations. The collective is dedicated to supporting Indigenous access and equity in higher education through collaborative instruction, research, engagement, and capacity building activities. Members of the collective include representatives from tribal nations, higher education institutions, and other stakeholders and organizations.

History
VINHE was developed following the first Virginia Native Nations Higher Education Summit in March 2023, where representatives from Virginia’s tribes, higher education institutions, and other partners gathered to build partnerships and discuss how higher education can better meet the needs of tribal nations.

The summit identified six focus areas for the collective:

1. Land and Watershed Management and Conservation
2. Cultural Resources: History, Archives, Justice
3. Preparation for, Access to, and Success in Higher Education
4. Legal Issues, Infrastructure, and Business Development
5. Embracing Tribal History in K-12 Education Standards
6. Tribal Community Health

Annual Summit 
Friday, March 22, 2024 - 2^nd Annual Virginia Indigenous Nations in Higher Education Leadership Summit

• 2024 Agenda
• 2024 Notes
• Virginia Indigenous Knowledge Portal Presentation
• Strategies to Recruit and Support Native Students Working Session Notes
• Collaborations Between Higher Ed Institutions and Tribal Nations Working Session Notes
• Summit Press Coverage

 Friday, March 24, 2023 - Virginia Native Nations Higher Education Summit 

• 2023 Agenda
• 2023 Notes

Resources
Native and Indigenous Resources at Virginia Institutions

• Christopher Newport University
• George Mason University
• James Madison University
• Radford University
• University of Lynchburg
• University of Mary Washington
• University of Virginia
• Virginia Commonwealth University
• Virginia Tech
• Washington & Lee University

Other Resources

• Updated Focus Areas and Suggested Action for Colleges and Universities
•  The Secretary of the Commonwealth - In 2014, the General Assembly passed HB903 directing the Secretary of the Commonwealth to serve as the Governor’s liaison to the Virginia Indian Tribes. 
• The Virginia Tribal Education Consortium (VTEC)
• College Prep Resources for Native American Students

Contact Us 
If you are interested in learning more about VINHE or getting involved in the collective, please fill out the contact form.