Metal sculpture of San Francisco, patron of the Missionary Franciscans, designed by Diana Rickerl of South Dakota State University

Planning for the College began in 1990 as a joint effort between the Catholic University of Bolivia, the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception, the Diocese of Coroico, and the sub-central Villa Nilo, the governing body of the Aymara Indian nation. Motivated by the inadequacy of secondary school education for lifting rural people out of poverty, this new college was founded to create skilled professionals who would become sensitive and impassioned leaders, addressing the most pressing needs of their rural communities. The College serves young people from rural communities throughout the Department of La Paz and from the massive urban slums surrounding the capital city of La Paz.

With only 54 students enrolled the first year of operation in 1993, the college has experienced tremendous growth. In January 2007, 700 students enrolled in the school’s five specialized degree programs: Veterinary Science, Sustainable Agriculture (Agronomy), Public Health Nursing, Primary Education (Teaching), and Ecotourism.

In just over 13 years, UAC-CP has become a vibrant catalyst for change in a region where the average family income is only $200 per year. Education is a huge influence on the lives of the people. The first UAC-CP graduates are working to improve life for their families and their communities. In addition, UAC-CP’s community health, research and sustainable economic development projects reach out to the surrounding region. As a result of the strong mandate by both local populations and the indigenous leadership, UAC-CP is deeply rooted in the communities it serves and committed to meeting their felt needs through all of its activities.

UAC-CP Founder-Sister Mary Damon Nolan, MFIC

 

The UAC-CP was conceived through the desire of indigenous leaders to advance the people of their communities through education, in collaboration with Sister Mary Damon Nolan, MFIC, a visionary and gifted Franciscan educator, who has been teaching in Bolivia since 1980. She has been a driving force behind the creation of the College and its ongoing growth. Sister Damon was named the first Director of the College in 1993 and now serves as its Chancellor. To this day, she is the only woman invited to attend the meetings of the Sub-Central Villa Nilo, the local chapter of the indigenous governing body.