Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) is a Tribal Community College located in Albuquerque, NM. SIPI has partnered with Seva since 2013 through the American Indian Sight Initiative. The Vision Care Technology's comprehensive program offers an Associate Degree of Applied Science and a certificate in Optical Laboratory Technology. SIPI's Vision Care program is designed to lead students into careers as opticians, dispensing opticians, ophthalmic optical laboratory technicians and ophthalmic technicians/assistants. This unique program provides students with hands-on laboratory experience that will open economic opportunities by qualifying them for employment in the optical and ophthalmic industry.

Seva supports SIPI by providing essential equipment and supplies for training in the classroom and student run community outreach events. Additionally, Seva subsidizes expensive certification exams administered by the National American Board of Opticianry (ABO). Many graduates move on to work as vision technicians within Native American communities, which often lack affordable, equitable, and culturally appropriate access to eye care services.