Palm Beach State College (PBSC) has received an $8 million gift that it will use to cover tuition and fees for local middle and high school students who will later attend college.
This gift, the first contribution from the Linked Together Endowment Foundation, will fund college readiness programs for students in grades 7-12 to help prepare them for paths to post-secondary education and career credentials. The Emerging Scholars Program will be named after Related Corporations President and Philanthropist Stephen Ross.
“This gift will accelerate opportunities for West Palm Beach residents and businesses by helping to remove a major barrier to economic growth: the knowledge gap,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker. “What’s amazing about working with Stephen and his vision is that he understands that it’s not enough to tell 12th graders ‘it’s time to go to college and here’s the scholarship.’ He understands that communication and partnership have to start very early in these students’ lives.
Additionally, an Early College Academy will be developed at two West Palm Beach high schools, which will include paid academic advisors and peer-to-peer student mentors, according to the PBSC. The program will focus on the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).
Arkansas
Brightwater: The Center for the Study of Food and a division of Northwest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) recently received a $1.5 million grant from the Walton Family Foundation to support its operations, increase professional development opportunities, and develop new academic and community programs.
Brightwater plans to use the grant to further develop new academic programs focused on artisanal butchery, food entrepreneurship and public health and wellness, as well as registered apprenticeships approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, according to a press release. The funds will also be used to expand community programs, such as basic kitchen practices and fundamentals, and free job training through a five-week restaurant prep boot camp.
“Brightwater provides vital workforce training opportunities in a rapidly growing region,” said Robert Burns, key area program director for the Walton Family Foundation. “Creative programs and state-of-the-art facilities provide unique skills and career paths in the culinary industry.”
New Jersey
Hudson County Community College (HCCC) has received $25,000 from the Ellucian Foundation which it will apply for scholarships to help 22 HCCC students meet needs such as housing costs, tuition expenses and food.
While more than 80% of HCCC students are eligible for federal Pell Grants — with full-time students at the college receiving an average financial aid package of $6,125 — expenses beyond tuition and fees are an ongoing challenge for many students.
“Many of these students are on the verge of academic and career success, and this additional funding will give them the additional support they need to help them succeed,” said Christopher Reber, HCCC President.
Funding comes through the Ellucian Foundation’s 2023 Progress, Achievement, Prosperity, and Hope (PATH) Scholarship Program, which was established in 2020.
New Mexico
Sante Fe Community College (SFCC) will receive a $500,000 federal grant to hire and train workers for community revitalization and cleanup projects.
The funding comes through EPA’s Brownfield Job Training Grant Program, which is supported by a bipartisan infrastructure bill and aims to boost workforce training in underserved and overburdened communities.
“SFCC has long led the way in providing EPA job training at Brownfields to build a skilled workforce,” Becky Rowley, SFCC president, said in a statement. “This vital training program addresses environmental justice issues while leading to sustainable family wage jobs that foster economic growth in our diverse communities. The new grant will allow SFCC to significantly expand our regional partnerships with community and tribal stakeholders in seven northern New Mexico counties.”
SFCC plans to use the grant to train 134 students and place at least 125 in environmental jobs. The training program includes 168 hours of instruction, and students who complete the training will earn up to 11 state or federal certifications, according to the college.
North Carolina
The Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) Foundation recently received grants to support the college’s scholarship and lineworker program.
A $25,000 gift from the Robert P. Holding Foundation will go to the First Citizens Bank Endowed College Scholarship. Houlding was the founder and CEO of First Citizens Bank.
The Robert P. Holding Foundation is proud to continue its commitment to Fayetteville Tech, said Hank Dunbar of First Citizens Bank.
“The holding corporation knows all too well the impact Fayetteville Technical Community College has on students, business, industry and virtually every aspect of our community,” Dunbar said in a statement. “It is proud to support the college’s mission of transforming lives through valuable, affordable and accessible educational experiences.”
FTCC also received a $20,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation to support the college’s lineworker program. The funds will go toward purchasing safety equipment, tools, training materials, recruitment, outreach and scholarships for underrepresented students.
“This investment will not only enable students from underrepresented communities to achieve their full potential, but will also contribute to developing a strong workforce of skilled workers in our region,” said FTCC President Mark Sorrels.
Pennsylvania
HACC, a community college of central Pennsylvania, will receive a $2.3 million Part III Institution Strengthening Program grant.
The federal grant will go toward aspects of the college’s strategic plan and support its work in realizing the dream of improving student outcomes, according to HACC. Specifically, the college said it will use the five-year grant to develop and implement a first-year experience program, create academic and workforce development pathways, provide more comprehensive academic advising, and understand student data to make informed decisions.
“As a result of this funding, HACC staff will have increased capabilities and resources necessary to advance the way we transform lives, destinies and family trees among our diverse community of learners by promoting transformative educational opportunities,” HACC President John J. “Sygielski” said in a statement. “This funding will help us continue to play an important role in removing barriers to students’ access to success and achievement while preparing them for good-paying careers.”
Texas
The Alamo College District has received a $1.96 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education for the Open Educational Resources (OER) Consortium Project.
The project will support the AlamoBOOKS+ Initiative, an innovative dual-investment program that provides Alamo College students with comprehensive access to educational materials, including open educational resources, according to the college.
Over three years, 75 faculty members will complete professional development in OER and develop open content for high-enrollment courses, including five introductory courses in government, history, English, psychology and mathematics, Alamo Colleges said. The open textbook program is estimated to serve approximately 10,000 students.
The district also plans to use the funds to develop a repository for sharing OER and support faculty collaboration across its five colleges.
Vermont
Community College of Vermont (CCV) also received a PATH Scholarship from the Ellucian Foundation. The $10,000 grant will go toward the college’s Life Gap Grants, which are awards of $500-$600 to help students with car problems, laptop repairs, food insecurity, and other small costs Which could disrupt education.
Since 2017, 186 individual donors have given more than $1 million to Life Gap Grants, according to the college.
“Public two-year colleges are at the heart of the U.S. higher education system, serving as educational and career launching pads for students by providing foundational skills and access to a broad range of learners,” said Laura Ibsen, President and CEO of Ellucian. In release. “It is imperative that we support these students by alleviating obstacles that make it difficult for them to stay in school and develop skills that are integral to our workforce and community.”
Wyoming
Union Pacific has provided a three-year, $300,000 grant to Laramie County Community College’s welding and diesel programs for new equipment, hiring, program expansion and more.
“LCCC’s relationship with Union Pacific helps our programs remain relevant and able to grow as industry demands,” Scott VanHorn, coordinator of the Trade and Technical Studies track at Wyoming College, said in a statement.
Expanding the program and training individuals to work in this field also benefits Union Pacific and other companies looking for technicians with these skills.
In the ever-evolving landscape of higher education, community colleges play a crucial role in providing accessible, affordable, and quality education to a diverse range of students. As such, it is essential to stay updated on the funding that supports these institutions and the impact it has on their ability to serve their communities effectively. This funding report aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the financial resources available to community colleges, as well as the implications and potential opportunities that arise from these funding sources. By delving into this report, readers will gain valuable insights into the financial health of community colleges and the implications for the students and communities they serve.