Delaware County Community College receives $ 1.4M grant

Delaware County Community College has received a $ 1.4 million, fiveyear grant from the U. S. Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions program. The grant will help the College provide and coordinate new and existing services and activities designed to increase retention and completion by first- generation students, who are at higher risk of not completing their programs of study at postsecondary institutions due to challenges, including lack of preparedness for college, financial issues, lack of self- esteem, issues with college adjustment, and family support.

In addition to utilizing the wide range of supportive student services already in place at the College, such as counseling, academic advising, tutoring and assisting with emergency needs, the College will use the grant to assemble a staff to work directly with students using a case management model to provide ongoing follow- up to ensure that students are aware of the supportive services available to them. The College also will develop enhanced College entry processes that focus on application, registration and financial aid through the use of enrollment navigators who will provide intensive support through the enrollment process, including financial literacy and orientation of first- generation students.

Retention specialists will provide intensive case management, track academic progress, provide academic advising and coordinate referrals to existing College services to increase student success. Facilitators will support students’ increased awareness of financial literacy through workshops, one- on- one appointments and sessions held during Transition to College activities. Professional development activities for College faculty and staff will increase awareness of students’ needs and provide assistance for improving services and focusing on the needs of first- generation students.

“Funding from this important federal grant will enable the College to increase, upgrade and enhance the educational and supportive services the College offers first- generation students, who are an evergrowing part of our student demographic,” said Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, president of Delaware County Community College. “While the College has offered excellent education and training programs for decades, it is critical that we also continue to offer first- generation students, many of whom are unfamiliar with the college experience, supportive services so that they can successfully achieve