The U.S. Department of Education will fund a new program at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College aimed at helping 60 high schoolers a year find post-high school education and jobs.
A new program is being launched at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College with the goal of helping low income and first generation American students at five area high schools develop their skills ahead of post-high school education and STEM careers.
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College was awarded an Upward Bound Math and Science grant to fund the program. The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education after a competitive selection process.
The $1.4 million will be distributed to ECTC over the course of five years, starting this year. The school is partnering with Washington County, North Hardin, Thomas Nelson, Nelson County, and LaRue County high schools to find students to participate in the program. Each year 60 students will be enrolled in the program for a total of 300 students over the next five years.
Susan Cooper, who is the Director of Grants and Contacts at Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, was quoted in the News Enterprise on the goal of the program: “Upward Bound Math and Science will provide the tools needed to help students overcome barriers and develop brighter futures. Our goal is to expose high school students to the opportunities available to them, motivate and support them in their classes, and assist them in their transition to college.”
The participating students will receive monthly Saturday sessions with tutors who will also be available at their high schools, a summer program, and several field trips. Students will be allowed to tour college campuses as well as industries and businesses that align with the math and science subjects that they will study in the program such as the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Alabama.
In addition to their tutors, the students will have access to career, academic, and personal counseling. Cooper spoke on this as well, saying, “Students will have knowledgeable, supportive mentors to help ensure they are ready to accomplish their education and career goals.”
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College is currently hiring staff to fill the tutoring and counseling services that are part of the Upward Bound Math and Science program. The job postings can be found here.
More information about Elizabethtown Community and Technical College can be found at the school’s website.