FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Courtney Davis
Assistant Director of Public Relations
Prince George’s Community College
daviscl@pgcc.edu
Prince George's Community College Awarded $2.6 Million Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund Grant
College represents only awarded project in the state of Maryland, funds to aid COVID-19 recovery
LARGO, Md. (August 24, 2021) – Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) announced today that it has received $2,696,680 of additional funding under the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund FIPSE competitive program. The College is the only awarded project in Maryland, receiving one of the larger grants in the nation.
The grant program, managed by the U.S. Department of Education, provides emergency federal funding to colleges and universities to aid COVID-19 recovery efforts and promote widespread student access and success. See the full list of awardees here.
“The project funds will allow us to implement transformative strategies on a broad scale to strengthen and expand learning opportunities for students and professional development for credit and continuing education faculty and staff,” said Dr. Mara Doss, grant principal investigator and associate vice president for Teaching, Learning, and Student Success at the College.
“We are filled with energetic excitement and enthusiasm to be able to employ significant resources to become more resilient in mitigating the ongoing impacts of an unprecedented global pandemic and create optimal conditions for success,” she added.
Prince George’s Community College’s project focuses on executing a series of transformational practices to increase resilience in student outcomes, maintain affordability, and increase enrollment, especially among dual enrolled students. The grant is expected to renew for an additional year.
In accordance with the terms of the grant, funds will be used to advance three focus areas: support the creation of a Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning; improve technical access, course design, and support; and expand dual enrollment offerings.
The grant will allow for broadened professional development for faculty, including establishing an online certification; a 24-7 help desk to assist students completing coursework across modalities; and increased opportunities for dual enrolled students, especially those in the southern part of the county, to take Prince George’s Community College courses at their home schools.
Prince George’s Community College serves a high percentage of low-income students, and 75 percent of current students identify as Black or Hispanic. Local, state, and national data show a higher unemployment rate and lower than average incomes in select areas from which the College recruits students.
The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund provides resources for the College to remove barriers in order to enhance and expand its efforts to address need-based aid for students, provide pathways for individuals from a variety of backgrounds to retrain in response to the pandemic, and promote equitable outcomes for all learners, including those from underrepresented groups.
The fall 2021 term at Prince George’s Community College is underway, with multiple start dates and flexible learning options that allow students to pursue a degree or credentials on their terms. Scholarship opportunities are available for first-time and returning students. To learn more or to register, contact enrollmentservices@pgcc.edu.
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 35,000 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 enables 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.
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