Ozarks Technical Community College’s (OTC) Veterans Day ceremony was extra special this year. The Missouri college announced it has received a $1.3 million U.S. Department of Education Veterans Upward Bound grant to help veterans access higher education.
“Members of our military have dedicated their lives to our country. Their sacrifice meant putting their educational and career opportunities on hold,” said OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon. “This grant will help veterans prepare for college and provide the academic and financial aid guidance necessary to earn a college credential and enter the workforce.”
OTC plans to serve at least 125 veterans each year over the life of the five-year grant. Veterans will receive advising, academic support, referrals to resources, financial aid guidance and veterans’ benefits counseling to help them enter the college or university of their choosing. The program aims to help veterans who are low-income or first-generation college students.
Connecticut
Gateway Community College (GCC) will use a $10,000 grant from the Connecticut Healthy Campus Initiative to help combat the opioid and prescription-drug epidemic. The grant funds the Campus Opioid Education & Awareness Program.
“This is a critical and important initiative focused on increasing awareness and educating our students to combat the issue of opioid dependence,” Professor Cheryl A. Shannon said in a release. Shannon coordinates the college’s drug and alcohol recovery counselor program.
GCC will create and distribute printed materials intended to raise awareness of the dangers of opioid abuse and highlight resources available to those seeking help. The college also will host educational programs on addiction and recovery and will provide training to GCC security personnel and faculty/staff in overdose prevention and the use of naloxone.
New Jersey
Rowan College at Burlington County’s (RCBC) Workforce Development Institute was selected by the N.J. Department of Labor and Workforce Development to oversee the state’s Transportation, Logistics & Distribution Talent Development Center. This distinction comes with a $1.2 million grant. The center will create new career pathways and provide training for people to advance in the field.
“Our Workforce Development Institute has developed partnerships with some of the region’s leading employers that have led to new training programs and high-paying careers for residents in Burlington County,” said RCBC Acting President Michael Cioce. “This grant provides the opportunity to build upon our success and develop a statewide training program to fill the demand for skilled workers in transportation, logistics and distribution.”
North Carolina
Cape Fear Community College will use a grant to help student veterans in the truck driver training program. (Photo: CFCC)
Cape Fear Community College will use a $97,607 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to help a group of students earn a commercial driver’s license (CDL) certificate. The funding will be used to award scholarships to veterans and active duty military in the college’s truck driver training program.
“The demand for licensed CDL drivers continues to grow, and this grant will help area veterans and their families to pursue a high-paying in-demand career immediately after graduation,” Mark Council, dean of vocational and technical education, said in a release.
The scholarships can cover the cost of student fees and expenses above the amount covered by veterans and active military educational benefits for qualified students, based on need. Spouses and children of these service members also will be eligible to apply for scholarships.
Additionally, a portion of the grant funding will support the hiring of a program-specific recruiter and job placement specialist, who will help program graduates connect with employers.
Virginia
Tidewater Community College’s (TCC) collision repair technology programs are getting a makeover, thanks to a $25,000 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover Grant from the Collision Repair Education Foundation. TCC is one of two postsecondary institutions in the nation to receive the grant. The college will purchase state-of-the-art tools and equipment with the funds.
