State of the College / Foundation Annual Report

The college received the largest federal grant in its history with $2.7 million (over five years) directed toward supporting students in their efforts to succeed academically and move on to careers and further education. Congresswoman Nita Lowey, ranking member of the House Appropriations Committee, announced the grant had been awarded through the U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic- Serving Institutions (DHSI) Program. “This historic grant provides much needed resources to transform the student experience to meet the real needs of today’s learners. With this tremendous award for Caminos al Exito (Pathways to Success), we will be able to scale effective high-impact, evidence-based practices to support all students, expand academic support, modernize our approach to counseling and advising, and get students to the credentials they need for the future,” Dr. Belinda S. Miles, President, Westchester Community College GRANTSGIVE OPPORTUNITIES In addition to funding these new initiatives, the grant funds also are helping empower faculty, staff and administrators to leverage and build upon the college’s innovative and high impact work that is already underway. The grant is assisting the college as a best in class, high-performing higher learning institution meeting the demands of the 21st century workforce. 1 Implement new First Year Experiences that ensure students begin college with a strong start, enabling them to accelerate their progress toward graduation. This multi-faceted effort includes the implementation of a First Year Experience course, new orientation programs involving peer leaders, and a new advising process that helps beginning full-time students succeed by connecting them with a dedicated advisor. 4 Infuse the latest technology, thereby creating high-performing and efficient systems supporting student success. 3 Redesign the college experience, moving students from access to completion or transfer. This is making it easier for students to apply to the college, navigate their way toward a degree and then move on to careers or four-year institutions. 2 Put students into pathways based upon individual career or transfer interests. This effort will help guide students to their first jobs in new fields after graduation and is helping themmove on to four-year schools. The grant is enabling the college to: This record-breaking grant follows several significant recent investments including public and private grants: Laura and John Arnold Foundation funding for replicating CUNY’s ASAP Program for student completion; CCAMPIS support for student-parents; National Science Foundation grants for STEM students; nearly $1 million from a private donor for technology advancements; and the Westchester Community College Foundation’s recent doubling of scholarship support to $2 million annually. The Department of Education grant will help the college bring several of these efforts to scale in addition to funding new programs. The grant is assisting the college as a best in class, high-performing higher learning institution meeting the demands of the 21st century workforce. www.sunywcc.edu 10 2020 State of the College & Foundation Annual Report 11