Strengthening Faculty Development at Tribal Colleges and Universities: A Critical Review and Three‐Tiered Framework

ABSTRACT Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) play a critical role in Indigenous nation‐building and postsecondary access, yet faculty development within these institutions remains chronically under‐resourced and inconsistently supported. This critical literature review examines faculty development across TCUs that function primarily within the community college sector, with attention to the structural and policy conditions shaping professional growth. Drawing on peer‐reviewed scholarship, institutional data, and cross‐institutional examples, the analysis identifies persistent challenges related to chronic underfunding, faculty workload, limited professional infrastructure, and misalignment between prevailing faculty development models and the missions of Indigenous‐serving institutions. The review synthesizes evidence from 37 TCUs serving approximately 28,000 students annually and examines how faculty development is supported at institutional, consortial, and federal levels. Although TCUs receive substantially less federal funding per student than other public community colleges, the literature documents meaningful innovation in faculty development when culturally grounded approaches and sustained resources are available. Building on this synthesis, the article advances a three‐tiered framework for faculty development that distinguishes near‐term institutional strategies from mid‐ and long‐term consortial and federal actions. The framework offers practical guidance for institutional leaders, policymakers, and intermediary organizations seeking to strengthen faculty capacity while honoring tribal sovereignty, community accountability, and the teaching‐centered missions of community college‐functioning TCUs.