A $2.2 million federal Department of Education grant was awarded to Peninsula College September 28, which will enhance student success and academic quality.
The goal of the Strengthening Institutions Program is to help institutions of higher education across the nation by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions. Only six to 10 awards were made this year.
Peninsula College’s goals for the grant are improving student engagement and support, building a culture of equity and inclusion and achieving excellence in teaching and learning.
Activities include:
- Increasing retention, graduation, and transfer particularly for underserved students.
- Establishing a new Career Pathways Center to improve students’ career readiness and employment success.
- Establishing a Veteran’s Center.
- Creating a Center for Teaching and Learning.
A full time Career Pathways Director, Longhouse Director and an Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning positions will be hired as a result of the grant. Part time roles include a Success Navigator, Grants Management Coordinator and peer mentors as needed.
In addition to the new positions, funds will be used toward software and equipment to assist students with disabilities, as well as four construction projects.
The grant period begins October 1, 2018, and the college will receive roughly $450K per year for five years for a total of $2,227,618.
Approximately $85,000 per year from the grant will go toward building an unrestricted endowment, to support expansion of student success programs. The Peninsula College Foundation has committed to matching that amount, dollar for dollar. Over the course of the 5-year grant period, $1,000,000 will be endowed--$425,000 from the grant, $425,000 in matching funds from the Foundation, and an additional $150,000 that the Foundation has committed to raise in support of students and the College. Over 60 percent of the matching funds had already been pledged at the time of the grant submission.
For more information regarding the Title III Grant and Peninsula College, contact Dr. Sharon Buck at sbuck@pencol.edu.
For more information about Peninsula College Foundation’s match fundraising effort, contact Getta Rogers Workman at grogers@pencol.edu, 360-417-6400.