BMCC is one of three tribally controlled colleges in the State of Michigan, and the only community college in Michigan's Eastern Upper Peninsula; it is committed to providing affordable, culturally relevant, accessible, and high quality educational opportunities to all tribal communities in Michigan and their neighbors. BMCC is also committed to providing leadership in the areas of economic and community development for the Bay Mills Indian Community and the Eastern Upper Peninsula (EUP). As a 1994 Land Grant institution, BMCC works closely with land grant partners, such as Michigan State University to provide service and expertise to the Bay Mills Indian Community and the surrounding region. The only other institution of higher education in the EUP is Lake Superior State University (LSSU), which is located 25 miles east in Sault Sainte Marie, Michigan.