By: Submitted Article
news@wbcowqel.com
This week, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $2,008,509 in Title III grant dollars to North Central State College for Advising Across the Continuum, a proposal to increase student success through additional advising.
Advising Across the Continuum seeks to institute intrusive advising and advising support to all students, beginning with new applicants to the College, and including college-ready students in their second semesters, supporting students with career and transfer advising as they near completion of their intended academic plan. The 5-year project seeks to improve the number of full-time degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled, the percentage of full-time degree-seeking students who are retained for a second year and the percentage of first-time, full-time degree-seeking undergraduate students completing their coursework and/or graduating within three years of enrollment. These Title III funds will allow the College to hire additional advisors and provide updated technology in order to strengthen needed advising support to help students achieve academic success. The College will also receive a $150,000 endowment for scholarships.
A significant number of students who come to the NC State struggle with the demands of being first-generation college students, college-readiness deficiencies, and/or being away from the educational system for a significant period of time. The number of low-income students at NCSC has rapidly increased in recent years.
Dr. Dorey Diab, President of North Central State College added, “These funds will be used to assist students who recognize the potential value of a college education, while they labor under the demands of their busy lives each day. These students work full or part time jobs, care for children or other family members, all while pursuing their education. Our mission is to help them achieve their goal, and change their lives.”
U.S. Senator Rob Portman said, “These funds are an important step toward ensuring NC State students have the resources they need to succeed as many of them balance school, work, and family. I look forward to continuing my work with NC State faculty, administrators, and students.”
About Title III Grant Program
The program helps eligible institutions of higher education to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.
Title III Funds may be used for planning, faculty development, and establishing endowment funds. Administrative management, and the development and improvement of academic programs also are supported. Other projects include joint use of instructional facilities, construction and maintenance, and student service programs designed to improve academic success, including innovative, customized, instruction courses designed to help retain students and move the students rapidly into core courses and through program completion, which may include remedial education and English language instruction .
About North Central State College
North Central State is a community college that serves 3,100 students on its Mansfield campus, its Shelby training facility, and Urban Higher Education Center as well as via training and distance learning sites throughout north central Ohio. The College is preparing this area’s work force by offering more than 70 associate degree majors and certificate programs of study, including comprehensive technical education in health sciences, general studies, public service, business, engineering technology, and corporate/community services as well as transfer degrees that prepare students to complete bachelor’s degrees in specific areas of study.