College of Southern Maryland (CSM) received $350,000 from the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund to complete interior renovations and build out its Velocity Center. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan joined Rural Maryland Council Board First Vice Chair John Hartline this month to present the state grant.
The CSM Velocity Center is a unique facility promoting collaboration between CSM and the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Indian Head Explosive Ordinance Disposal Technology Division (IHEODTD). Its purpose is to provide professional development for Navy scientists, engineers and employees to retain talent, offer opportunities for entrepreneurship and experimentation, recruit young talent, and build goodwill among the community outside the gate of NSWC IHEODTD.
“This incredible project is the result of years of collaborative effort and it is a shining example of what is possible when government, our colleges and universities, and the local communities work together,” Hogan said.
Alabama
Wallace State Community College’s 2+2 poultry science program got a boost with a $6,720 grant from the Poultry and Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation. The college will use the funds to make students aware of the 2+2 poultry science partnership between the college and Auburn University.
The grants are made possible through the U.S. Poultry Foundation, through a gift given in part by Peco Foods.
Wallace State President Vicki Karolewics (left) presents Wallace State biology/2+2 instructor Melanie Glasscock with the check from the Poultry and Egg Harold E. Ford Foundation. (Photo: Wallace State)
Florida
Broward College student parents can now get additional support to continue their education without having to worry about the cost of childcare thanks to a $1.5 million Childcare Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The four-year grant provides student parents with subsidized childcare while also supporting the college’s existing Early Childhood Laboratory (ECL) School.
Broward will hire more employees for the school, which has a waitlist due to the high demand, allowing the school to serve more college students with young children. The funding also allows the college to contract childcare providers around the three campuses and in low-income neighborhoods.
“This grant allows us to address one of the major barriers to education affecting some of our students with children,” said President Gregory Adam Haile. “By helping student parents with quality, affordable and accessible learning environments for their children, we are ensuring they can focus on learning and stay on track to completing their postsecondary goals.”
Tallahassee Community College (TCC) is celebrating a $1 million National Science Foundation grant that will provide 60 students with full tuition and fees over the next four years. TCC is the only community college in the nation to receive the NSF award to specifically provide scholarships for the growing number of students seeking associate degrees in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.
New Jersey
Union County College raised more than $225,000 at its 27th Annual Scholarship Gala last month. The gala brought together key community and business leaders to help fund scholarships and emergency funding for Union County College students.
Over the past four years, the college’s foundation has funded more than $4.5 million in scholarship and grant support.
North Carolina
Coastal Carolina Community College can provide more opportunities for students with autism thanks to a $3,000 donation from the Autism Society of North Carolina Onslow Chapter. With the funding, the college will buy career kits, which offer a hands-on curriculum designed for students who have moderate to severe cognitive disabilities, including those with autism, to explore more than 100 entry-level jobs.
Texas
El Paso Community College’s (EPCC’s) Student Government Association (SGA) received $500 from Walmart to support the Tejano Food Pantry. The donation will go toward buying food for students in need during Thanksgiving.
“Food insecurity is an issue that almost half of our student body at EPCC has dealt with. This helps a lot for our student body in conjunction with our Tejano Food Pantry,” SGA President Alex Rodriguez said. “This donation also gives us the opportunity to hand out turkeys on top of our standard basket of goods that the pantry provides.”
The Tejano Food Pantry at El Paso Community College. (Photo: EPCC)
