Affirmative Action - 1961

Established in Executive Order 10925, signed by President Kennedy in 1961, Affirmative Action required:

government contractors not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, or national origin as well as to take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, creed, color, or national origin (Executive Order 10925, 1961).

Following the Civil Rights Act of 1964 it was concluded that African American children would benefit from attending integrated schools; thus began affirmative action as known today.

Blacks have a 375-year history on this continent: 245 involving slavery, 100 involving discrimination, and only 30 involving anything else.
— Historian Roger Wilkins

Civil Rights Act: Title VI - 1964

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was landmark legislation for the United States.  Title VI of the act says that any agency found discriminating against anyone can lose their funding they receive from the federal government.  This includes colleges and universities.  This tied with Brown v. Board of Education changed the landscape of America's higher education system.    

Higher Education Act - 1965

Lyndon B. Johnson signed this act into place on November 8, 1965 as a part of the Great Society agenda.  Johnson wanted the legislation, "to strengthen the educational resources of our colleges and universities and to provide financial assistance for students in post secondary and higher education.”  The bill strengthened institutions that had not been accredited, more funding for continuing education programs, providing more scholarships and lowering interest rates on loans for students.  The bill has been amended numerous times as well after the landmark legislation in 1965.

Navajo Community College Act - 1968

In 1968 the first college was established that was controlled by Native Americans.  It opened as the Navajo Community College and is now known as Dine College.  Being controlled by Native Americans their educational philosophy is different then schools (with Navajo tradition involved).