The partnership between Lemoore College and the Tachi Yokut Tribe has entered a new and meaningful chapter.
What began with a historic endowment and a shared commitment to educational opportunity has grown into a deeper relationship centered on access, cultural understanding, and student success.
During the 2025-2026 academic year, that work progressed significantly, from the development of the Ethnic Studies curriculum to the first college course offered directly at Tachi.
For Dr. Kris Costa, Vice President of Educational Services at Lemoore College, one of the year's most important accomplishments was creating the college's land acknowledgment.
"The land acknowledgment was a critical first step to cement our commitment to the tribe," Costa said when reflecting on the partnership's progress this year.
That acknowledgment helped set the tone for a broader effort to honor the history, presence, and contributions of Native communities while strengthening the college's relationship with the Tachi Yokut Tribe.
Lemoore College also made significant progress in developing the Ethnic Studies program. Courses in Introduction to American Indian Studies, Introduction to African American Studies, and Introduction to Chicanx and Latinx Studies moved through the curriculum process and are expected to be offered in the coming year. An Introduction to Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies course is planned for future development.
Together, these courses will help lay the foundation for a future transfer pathway aligned with Fresno State while creating opportunities for students to explore diverse histories, cultures, and perspectives.
Leading much of that effort is Dr. Brandi Loera-Mendiola, a faculty member in Lemoore College's Ethnic Studies program, who has worked closely with Fresno State and representatives from the Tachi Yokut Tribe to ensure the curriculum reflects both academic standards and community voices.
"Ethnic Studies creates opportunities for students to see themselves, their communities, and their histories reflected in what they learn," Loera-Mendiola said. "As we develop these courses, it is important that we honor the voices and experiences of the communities we serve while creating pathways that help students succeed both at Lemoore College and beyond."
Costa said the work has been intentional from the beginning.
"Brandi has been doing a ton of work with Fresno State and with the local Tribal Council just to make sure that the American Indian Studies class is capturing the intent, but also transfers to Fresno State and fills the needs there," Costa said.
The work is both academic and deeply relational.
It is about creating courses that meet transfer requirements, but also about ensuring that students see their histories, cultures, and communities reflected in the classroom. For Lemoore College, the development of Ethnic Studies is part of a larger commitment to belonging, representation, and educational access.
That commitment extended beyond campus this year when Lemoore College offered a College Success course at the Tachi Education Center for the first time.
The course enrolled 17 students and was held during the first eight weeks of the spring semester.
For the college, the course represented more than a new location. It was a new way of meeting students where they are.
"It is giving them an opportunity to access education together as a cohort," Costa said. "People who might have traditionally thought education isn't for them, we're bringing education to them and showing them that it is."
The first course also opened the door for future offerings. Lemoore College plans to continue offering courses at the Tachi Education Center, including another College Success course and future general education opportunities.
For Costa, the purpose is clear.
"It is really about letting these students know, you can do this. You have a community around you. We're going to get you started, and then you come here and finish your degree," Costa said.
The partnership has also strengthened engagement between the college and the Tribe through professional development activities, Native American Heritage Month events, and ongoing collaboration around educational opportunities and cultural awareness.
The work ahead includes continued curriculum development, future Ethnic Studies offerings, expanded classes at Tachi, and the exploration of transfer pathways that align with both Fresno State and the educational goals of the Tachi Yokut Tribe.
At its heart, the partnership is about opportunity.
It is about honoring culture, creating pathways to education, and helping students see college as a place where they belong.
Through the Tachi partnership, Lemoore College is demonstrating what is possible when education is built on relationship, respect, and a shared vision for the future.