Funding roundup

Dr. Akram Boutros (left), president and CEO of MetroHealth, and Cuyahoga Community College President Alex Johnson following the announcement of a $1 million gift from the health system to the college. (Photo: Tri-C)

MetroHealth System awarded $1 million to Ohio’s Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) to support scholarships and to open a new Tri-C Access Center as part of MetroHealth’s new Institute for HOPE (Health, Opportunity, Partnership and Empowerment).

The investment supports Tri-C’s focus on training residents for jobs with family-sustaining wages in fields with growth potential. Scholarships granted through the donation will benefit students enrolled in more than 30 healthcare programs at Tri-C. The Institute for HOPE will function as a neighborhood hub offering resources to help residents live healthier and more meaningful lives.

“Tri-C and MetroHealth share a deep commitment to connecting people in our community to opportunity,” said Tri-C President Alex Johnson, chair of the American Association of Community Colleges’ board of directors. “This generous gift will help put dreams within reach for countless individuals in northeast Ohio.”

California

The Cerritos College Foundation this week announced the largest donation in its history. The late John Smith. Jr., an alumnus of Cerritos College, left a $2.3 million gift from his estate to support the college’s extensive woodworking program.

The foundation will establish a scholarship fund in Smith’s name to benefit students enrolled in woodworking courses at Cerritos College. Smith also donated his woodworking equipment to the college.

“We are truly humbled and inspired by Mr. Smith and his family’s generosity,” said Jose Fierro, president/superintendent of Cerritos College.

Kentucky

The Appalachian Regional Commission’s Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization awarded $958,000 to Somerset Community College (SCC) to support training for healthcare professionals.

SCC will also open a new licensed practical nurse-to-ADN program and expand its EMS-paramedic degree program. It also will launch an associate degree nursing program at Eastern Kentucky University.

Massachusetts

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded North Shore Community College (NCSS) $640,000 to train students for careers as behavioral health paraprofessionals focused on opioid and other substance use disorders.

In addition to funding students in the addiction counseling certificate program, the grant will provide enhanced addiction-related training to students in programs leading to careers as community health workers, child/youth advocates and recovery coaches.

“Bringing our expertise in educating and training paraprofessionals for the front-line workforce will add great value to the fight to prevent the spread of addiction, as well as treat and help our neighbors recover from substance abuse,” said NSCC President Patricia Gentile.

Hinds Community College agriculture instructor Lee Douglas speaks to high school students at a recent agricultural department recruiting event at McKenzie Arena on the Raymond Campus. (Photo: Hinds)

Mississippi

The Mississippi State Office of Natural Resource Conservation Service awarded Hinds Community College a $249,955 grant to create an agricultural academy.

The academy will promote public awareness of the recently enacted federal Farm Bill, provide training on new methods and technology in agriculture, and expose youths to the numerous career paths in agriculture.

Hinds is collaborating with the Mississippi Department of Agriculture and Commerce on implementing the grant-funded activities.

The college offers programs in beef and poultry production, precision agriculture, veterinary technology, meat merchandising and agribusiness management.

New Jersey

State Assemblyman Jon Bramnick renewed his law firm’s commitment to Union County College with a $5,000 donation to the college’s foundation. The funds will support scholarships to full-time students with financial needs.

North Carolina

RTI International has granted Durham Technical Community College‘s foundation $50,000 to establish a scholarship endowment fund for early childhood education students.

The scholarship will be named the Dr. Phail Wynn Jr. RTI International Scholarship Endowment in honor of the college’s third president.

“This scholarship endowment will provide more students a path to an associate degree and will ultimately create a pipeline of certified pre-K teachers,” said Melissa Chappell, executive director of the Durham Tech Foundation.

(From left) Pioneer Family Auto General Manager Mark Herrington, WSCC President Vicky Wood and Pioneer Family Auto Owner Dick Nourse. (Photo:WSCC)

Ohio

Dick Nourse, owner of Pioneer Family Auto, made a $50,000 contribution to support a partnership with Washington State Community College (WSCC) and Marietta City Schools that will give youths early exposure to college and career preparation.

Students will exit high school with a “Diploma Plus” that includes: an industry credential; college credits, certificate or degree acceptance; or acceptance to the military, an apprenticeship program or employment.

A scholarship established by Nourse will support two $1,000 annual scholarships at WSCC with preference to students in automotive services or diesel truck systems.

Eastern Gateway Community College has received a $15,000 grant from Gene Haas Foundation, an arm of Haas Automation Inc., to support scholarships for students taking noncredit machining technology courses.

About the Author

Ellie Ashford
is associate editor of Community College Daily.
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