New York
Westchester Community College’s student parents will benefit from an $800,000 federal grant. Through the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant, 35 families will receive annual stipends. The college will develop a sliding scale based upon student need and the number of credits taken by student parents. The grant also will help the college reach more students to take advantage of the college’s childcare services.
Rep. Nita Lowey announced the funding at the college’s Virginia Marx Children’s Center on June 11.
“It is a special treasure to be able to support our students and their young children at the same time,” said Westchester President Belinda Miles. “This is a unique place where our students come to achieve their academic and career goals while their children take part in an accredited curriculum supporting early childhood development, a distinction among child care centers.”
Florida
Northwest Florida State College’s new Raider Athletics Indoor Practice Facility is closer to becoming a reality thanks to a $50,000 donation from longtime supporter Eileen Arpke. The 10,000-square-foot brick facility will contain five all-purpose tunnels with sports nets, artificial turf flooring, LED lighting inside, exterior lighting for safety and will be fully climate controlled for year-round practice.
In the past, Arpke has established the Charles and Eileen Arpke Scholarship, named the Charles K. and Eileen H. Arpke Conference Room, and supported other areas of the college, including the Northwest Florida Symphony Orchestra, President’s Circle and the Institute of Senior Professionals.
Pennsylvania
Reading Area Community College (RACC) will use a state grant of more than $750,000 to support adult education. The college will use the funds for several programs, including adult literacy and GED preparation programs and training for tutors. The grant also supports the partnership between RACC, the Berks County Workforce Development Board and CareerLink to address the core education needs of the non-English-speaking workforce by providing access to English as a second language classes.
State Rep. Thomas R. Caltagirone announced the grant and lauded its positive impact on the community.
“These are the kinds of public-private partnerships that net results in our community,” he said. “Literacy and continuing education classes are good for families looking to succeed and contribute to the economy. Reading Area Community College is an outstanding resource and ally for those goals, and I’m pleased that the state saw fit to invest in their mission.”
Multi states
Lumina Foundation is awarding a total of $625,000 in grants to 19 colleges and universities from its Fund for Racial Justice and Equity, a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors. Several community colleges are on the list to receive funds to help improve the atmosphere around race on campuses.
Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) in Utah received $25,000 to expand equity programming to reach wider populations, and better ensure that students affected by equity gaps are aware of and connect with appropriate support services.
“Over the past year and a half to two years, Salt Lake Community College has made tremendous strides to develop and advance equity and inclusivity plans,” said Roderic Land, SLCC’s special assistant to the president and chief diversity officer. “However, it has not all been a crystal stair. We have definitely met resistance along the way. Yet, we must continue to press forward to help people see the value in all humanity.”
Illinois Central College (ICC) also received $25,000. The college plans to hire a project coordinator and trained facilitators who will lead staff, students and community members in discussions aimed at discovering racial disparities in college policies and practices. Partnering with Peoria Public Schools and other organizations, ICC will host the Peoria Summit on Racial Justice and Equity conference early next year.
“This opportunity helps us to expand current efforts to close the achievement gap for minority students and increase their participation in high-wage, high-demand career fields,” said ICC Vice President of Diversity and Community Impact Rita Ali.
Other community colleges receiving funds are Iḷisaġvik College (Alaska), Hillsborough Community College (Florida), Lorain County Community College (Ohio), Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and Skagit Valley College (Washington).
The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity was created after last year’s racially motivated violence in Charlottesville on the campus of the University of Virginia.
