PGCC Selected to Receive NASA Grant Totaling More Than $256,000
Article by: Tabresha B. Langham
For Immediate Release
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LARGO, Md. (Aug. 1, 2018) – Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) was selected as a NASA grant recipient for the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovations in Space Technology Curriculum. The award amount totals more than $256,000 and will be used to revitalize engineering curriculum for first and second year engineering students so that they are better prepared to enter and complete four-year engineering programs at faster rates and with lower costs.
The college is one of five minority-serving institutions selected to receive the cooperative agreement award, which requires the college to work with NASA over a 15-month period to develop curriculum that educates and trains a workforce that will continue achieving the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) goals.
Prince George’s Community College is an optimal grant recipient because of its location near the Capital, and its proximity to and strong relationship with the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC).
The award provides the college with a unique opportunity to contribute to a minority increase in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). The minority population that the college serves will benefit from enhanced engineering curriculum, courses that incorporate avionics technology, and open free online textbooks, lab manuals, and other materials that students at the college can use to successfully complete the program and transfer to a four-year program.
In addition, the cooperative agreement will create and strengthen partnerships with GSFC and NASA. These partnerships will establish research internships for students and increase student interest in NASA avionics development, space science, and engineering in general.
Planning for the new curriculum will begin in October 2018 and will conclude in December 2019.
About Prince George’s Community College
Named a National Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security (2015-2020), Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) provides high-quality education and training for the progressive and career-oriented residents of Prince George’s County. From new high school graduates and career seekers to more seasoned professionals and senior citizens looking to enhance their skillsets, PGCC is comprised of students who represent a wide range of ages, backgrounds, and goals. Serving nearly 40,000 individuals annually, the college is the first choice for higher education for residents of Prince George’s County. Collaborative partnerships, responsive degree and training programs, and a commitment to student success enable PGCC to address diverse education and workforce development demands. For more information, visit the college website at www.pgcc.edu. Prince George’s Community College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104; (267-284-5000); www.msche.org.The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.