Leaders from Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and St. Lawrence College have renewed a program delivery agreement between the College and Iohahi:io Akwesasne Adult Education and Training Centre-MCA.

 The agreement represents continued collaboration regarding educational programming between St. Lawrence College and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, who will work together to meet the unique educational needs of Akwesasne by delivering St. Lawrence College programs at the Iohahi:io Akwesasne Adult Education and Training Centre. Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College, and Grand Chief Abram Benedict of the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne signed the agreement at St. Lawrence College’s Cornwall campus on Monday, February 23, 2016.

 The partnership is a refreshed version of an agreement that has been in place since the 1990s. Iohahi:io currently offers several St. Lawrence College programs including Police Foundations, Business Administration – Human Resources and Computer Networking and Technical Support. Graduating students attend St. Lawrence College convocation ceremonies. Programming delivered at Iohahi:io has varied over the years in response to economic assessments done by Mohawk Council that determine the community needs of Akwesasne. Programs train students to meet these gaps in trades and industry. Part of the new agreement includes an exciting educational pathway designed to benefit Akwesasne students in the future. This articulation opportunity provides Akwesasne students to begin their education by earning an Arts and Science Diploma at Iohahi:io and then continuing their studies in the field of Archaeology at (SUNY) Potsdam, ultimately earning two credentials in four years and becoming career-ready.

 “We are pleased to have renewed our agreement with St. Lawrence College, our relationship between the college and our community is much more than a written agreement, it’s a model of modern day cooperation and partnership” said Grand Chief Abram Benedict, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne.

 “St. Lawrence College and the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne place great importance on ensuring all members of our communities have access to education. The College is committed to meeting the needs of all of the communities we serve and we look forward to a continued partnership with the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne,” said Glenn Vollebregt, President and CEO of St. Lawrence College.