The Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute is a federally funded tribal college in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It was established in 1971 as a vocational training center to provide education and training to Native American individuals from various tribes across the United States. SIPI's primary focus is on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, along with other vocational and technical programs.
President of SIPI
Tamarah Pfeiffer, Ph.D., is Diné of the Bitterwater Clan (To’dichiinii), born for the Metal Hat people (Beesh Bichai). Her maternal grandfather was of the salt clan (Ashiihi), and her paternal grandfather was also of the Metal Hat People. As President of Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Pfeiffer recognizes the importance of leadership, maximizing employees' strengths, motivating, team building and implementing a sound vision to achieve educational success.
Her philosophy focuses on building strong educational leadership to support the teaching and learning of all students.
The most effective educational programs include engaging key tribal and community stakeholders to ensure that the college supports and serves all American Indian and Alaska Native students. Pfieffer enjoys serving SIPI students from across the United States and supporting them as they grow throughout college and become community leaders.
Her career as an educator encompasses more than 48 years, including time as a teacher and an administrator in public, grant and contract schools.
Pfeiffer holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education from the University of New Mexico (1990) with an emphasis on teaching English as a Foreign Language, a Master of Arts in English from the Bread Loaf School of English at Middlebury College in Vermont (1999), and a Doctor of Education with a specialization in Educational Administration and American Indians from Pennsylvania State University (2006).
