SUQUAMISH — Olympic College, which offers two- and four-year degrees at its campuses in Bremerton, Poulsbo and Shelton, will soon offer college courses on the Port Madison Indian Reservation.

“We are excited to partner with OC to create additional pathways for student success,” Suquamish Tribe Chairman Leonard Forsman said in an announcement of the partnership May 22.

Under the agreement, OC classes are scheduled to begin this fall at Chief Kitsap Academy, a Tribal Compact School, with initial courses for graduating high school students and community members seeking continuing education.

Initial courses scheduled to be offered include computer literacy, math, Northwest art, and history. OC courses offered at Suquamish will be open to the public and standard tuition rates will apply.

The college’s presence will provide another gateway to higher education close-to-home for Suquamish students. Western Washington University, which is based in Bellingham, offers four-year degree programs at Olympic College in Poulsbo, and operates a marine science center on that city’s waterfront. In addition, Northwest Indian College has a satellite campus on the nearby Port Gamble S’Klallam Reservation.

“Having OC here in Suquamish will provide much-needed higher-education opportunities to both the Tribe and surrounding communities,” Suquamish Education Department Superintendent Joe Davalos said in the partnership announcement.

OC President Dr. David Mitchell added, “At OC, we are committed to ensuring that access to our programs is available to all we serve. Through this partnership, members of the Suquamish Tribe will have direct access to college-level courses close to their homes.”