The Strengthening Institutions Program grant will allow Washington State Community College to better serve its low income student population.
Two million dollars in Title III grant funding is coming Washington State Community College's way thanks to the US Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program.
Washington State Community College has big plans for the funds, which will be disbursed to them over the next five years. According to an article on Washington State Community College’s website, Dr. Vicky Wood, who is the president of the school, says the work will begin with expanding the school’s Guided Career Pathways, which has been successful. Wood said, “Since 2017 we have been committed to transforming the student experience using the Guided Pathways framework. We have focused on dismantling barriers that stand in the way of our students’ progress and developing innovative solutions to increase their success.”
A large focus of those in charge at Washington State Community College is to provide support services to its students to ensure their success. Some of these efforts include offering free mental health services, food pantries, and tutoring. Building upon these services already in effect, the school plans to improve its communication methods to help students along the way in their support journeys. Washington State Community College is getting a new Customer Relations Management system that will make it easier for support staff to stay on top of communications, as well as provide data and analytics about the students they are helping.
With the incoming grant funding, two more programs will be added to the school’s roster of offerings: Occupational Therapy Assistant and Physical Therapy Assistant. The school will also expand its one-year certificate program into a two-year associate degree program for Processing Engineering Technology. Of these developments, Wood said, The addition of these degrees is based on regional workforce projections. Our students will graduate and immediately be able to move into good-paying, in-demand jobs. That’s not just good for our students, it’s good for our economy.”
The final planned use of the grant funds at Washington State Community College is to increase career readiness and academic enrichment for students. This will entail integrating career skills into general education and career-specific programs and greater collaboration between students, instructors, and program committees to increase internship opportunities and clinical and practical opportunities.
“We will funnel some of our funds directly into faculty and staff development. Investing in their professional development will help us integrate career skills throughout our curriculum, which will enable us to close equity gaps and strengthen career advising and support services,” said Wood.
For more information about Washington State Community College, visit the school’s website.