Alabama’s Wallace State Community College recently received two contributions that will benefit students.
A $5,000 donation from the family of the late Kay Barnett establishes the Kay Barnett Memorial Scholarship fund. Barnett passed away March 2 at the age of 82. He was a longtime support of Wallace State. After retiring from the Navy, he attended the air conditioning and refrigeration program at the college, and his wife taught there.
Barnett’s family brought one of his most treasured keepsakes to the check presentation to Wallace State President Vicki Karolewics: a framed Navy Jack, the official U.S. jack of the Navy, bearing the phrase “Don’t Tread on Me.” The flag flew over the U.S. Capitol and on the USS Mullinex DD 94, the last vessel on which Barnett served.
In addition, Hanceville Nursing and Rehab Center continued its tradition of supporting the college by presenting $5,000 of a $25,000 pledge to establish the Jim D. and Mattie Moody Endowed Scholarship for nursing students. The center and the college’s nursing program have worked together for decades, with the center serving as a clinical site for students, as well as employing many Wallace State graduates.
Arizona
Central Arizona College (CAC) will use a $1.3 million Upward Bound grant to assist first-generation and low-income students to prepare for college. The U.S. Department of Education grant will allow CAC to offer academic enrichment and summer program opportunities for 60 high school students. They will receive tutoring assistance and attend workshops on time management, transitioning to college and academic success. CAC also is offering a new Steps to College Summer Institute. It’s a free, six-week program with several activities, including a five-day residential living component to help prepare students for college.
Ohio
WSCC President Vicky Wood (center) accepts a contribution from AT&T Foundation. (Photo: WSCC)
Washington State Community College’s (WSCC) student success efforts got a boost with a $8,000 contribution from the AT&T Foundation. WSCC will continue the College Ready Project, coordinated through the college in partnership with the Ohio Valley Educational Service Center. The project helps high school students gain the skills needed to enter college without requiring remediation.
Pennsylvania
Montgomery County Community College will put more residents on the path to good-paying jobs, thanks to a $10,000 donation from the TD Charitable Foundation, the charitable giving arm of TD Bank. The funding will support tuition assistance for students enrolling in the college’s Fast-Track to Employment programs, which aren’t eligible for regular financial aid.
The college offers 14 Fast-Track to Employment programs, including training for jobs in healthcare, manufacturing, public safety, and scientific and technical services.
“Completion of these programs not only prepares students for immediate employment, but also positions them for more advanced education,” said David DiMattio, vice president of workforce development and continuing education at MCCC.
Tennessee
Five Tennessee community colleges received Tennessee Promise Forward grants from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC). The colleges will work to develop and expand innovative student success and retention programs.
“From parent engagement pilots to service learning, THEC is excited to see the impact that this year’s Tennessee Promise Forward grants have on student success,” Mike Krause, executive director of THEC, said in a release.
Chattanooga State Community College was awarded $200,000 to enhance its Success Coaching model. Tennessee Promise students get support from a success coach during their first 24 credit hours to help develop a strategy for success. The college also will hire service-learning coordinators and a Tennessee Promise student transfer assistant to help graduating students enroll in a four-year degree program.
Dyersburg State Community College will use its $200,000 grant to develop a success coaching model. The college will use a student success platform to identify at-risk students and enable success coaches to provide timely interventions. Tennessee Promise students at DSCC also will get opportunities for mentoring.
Roane State Community College, which received a $91,940 grant, will create an Office of Parent Engagement (OPEN), that will include a parent portal to keep parents informed of important deadlines and decisions, including course selection and enrollment.
Southwest Tennessee Community College will expand student retention approaches using its $142,900 grant. The college’s Saluqi Success Pathway (SSP) will include more advising and an early alert system, as well as supplemental instruction for math and English courses.
Volunteer State Community College, which received $124,200, will expand advising in the first semester and mandate second-semester advising for students who do not successfully complete minimum milestone course requirements. VSCC also will provide qualifying faculty with up to 20 hours of training to become advising “generalists” who can provide advising services.
