In Massachusetts, Cape Cod Community College students in the aviation technology maintenance program will benefit from Cape Air’s latest donation to the college: a Cessna 402C, nine-passenger, twin-engine aircraft. The program now has two identical aircraft on campus that provide four engines for students and faculty to work on.
“Supporting aviation education and the cultivation of new talent is something we are extremely proud to be a part of,” said Cape Air President Linda Markham.
Also in Massachusetts, Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) received a $296,904 state grant to support a new, affordable professional development program for early childhood educators. The funding will allow STCC to roll out its child development associate-plus program this fall, which will help early childhood educators obtain certification and become better qualified to teach infants, toddlers and preschool-aged children.
“A lot of early childhood educators have been teaching for a long time without having any college credit,” said Richard Greco, dean of liberal and professional studies. “What this program will allow is for people to get a nationally recognized credential. With the credential, they will earn college credit that they can apply toward an associate degree from STCC.”
New Jersey
Raritan Valley Community College (RVCC) will provide apprenticeship opportunities for high school students and adults in advanced manufacturing with a $167,645 Pre-apprenticeship in Career Education (PACE) Grant is from the New Jersey Department of Labor. The grant will provide training for 15 high school students and 15 adults.
The PACE program is offering 120 hours of training this summer to local high school students. The four-week program includes information about:
- the advanced manufacturing industry
- OSHA, first aid, CPR and other certifications
- assistance with job readiness, career guidance and soft skills
- employer panels
- an overview of RVCC programs and community support services
The grant also covers a one-year, part-time retention specialist placement coordinator position. Students participating in the program receive a $150 per week stipend.
Union County College’s foundation raised nearly $75,000 at its 4th Annual Close the Gap Cocktail Reception in July. The Close the Gap initiative, established by community leaders and elected officials, supports the college’s strategic initiative to accelerate the pace of African-American student graduation rates.
Since the start of the campaign in 2015, more than $200,000 has been invested in scholarships, support, student programming and emergency funding to help African-American students who are on course to graduate but need additional financial assistance.
Ohio
Clark State Community College has received an $899,228 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to train more counselors to help fight opioid abuse.
Clark State’s grant proposal noted that rural areas of southwest Ohio have high rates of opioid abuse but local access to treatment is limited. The college will use the grant to create, in partnerships with local employers and agencies, paraprofessional certificates to help launch careers in chemical dependency, addiction and mental health services.
“Clark State wants to be a problem-solver, and knowing the excellent education provided by our social services faculty and the strong support we get from our partners, we knew we had to jump at this opportunity,” said Clark State President Jo Alice Blondin.
Virginia
Patrick Henry Community College will use a $30,000 grant to provide students with more project-based learning opportunities. The funding, which comes from the Community Foundation Serving Western Virginia, will support both the college’s construction trades “tiny house” project and a new advanced manufacturing mobile training lab.
Tidewater Community College received a $2,500 gift from the REECH Foundation to help women working toward degrees in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). Recipients of TCC’s STEM Promise scholarship have tuition covered for two years and graduate ready to enter a career or transfer to a four-year college to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The goal is to increase the number of STEM degrees awarded to women and minority students, who are underrepresented in the workforce.
