FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Courtney Davis
Assistant Director for Public Relations
Prince George’s Community College
daviscl@pgcc.edu
TeamBuilders Academy Awarded Emergency Aid Funding from the Apartment and Office Building Association (AOBA)
Funding to strengthen equitable access for workforce development students
LARGO, Md. (December 9, 2021) – Prince George’s Community College’s PGCC Cares Foundation announced today $5,000 in emergency aid funding from the Apartment and Office Building Association (AOBA) Educational Foundation (AEF) in support of the College’s TeamBuilders Academy workforce development program.
Continuing education students at Prince George’s Community College (PGCC) face increased barriers to transportation, broadband access, and other wraparound services due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The emergency aid funding serves to strengthen equitable access, allowing students to pursue careers in construction, real estate, building engineering, maintenance, and more.
“The needs of our student community are vast and require creative solutions to address these barriers. To that end, TeamBuilders Academy appreciates the long-standing partnership with AEF, and this donation is another clear demonstration of their commitment to PGCC and student success,” said John Deadwyler, TeamBuilders Academy program coordinator.
Established in 2009, TeamBuilders Academy, located at the College’s Westphalia Training Center, has served more than 400 students to date and holds an overall 74% employer placement rate with success stories to prove it. TeamBuilders Academy’s diverse group of employer partners offer local matching opportunities for program completers of all occupational tracks.
“At AEF, we understand how everyday life and its related expenses can get in the way of students and their educational and career goals. Unexpected expenses can quickly become an insurmountable hurdle, and we are pleased to spare as many PGCC students as possible from the difficult decision of continuing their program or paying a bill,” said Wes Huffman, executive director for AEF.
“We are pleased to provide this donation to support students and the important work of the PGCC Cares Fund. We look forward to working with the College and TeamBuilders Academy on our shared goal of building sustained pathways for many rewarding careers in our industry,” Huffman added.
TeamBuilders Academy is a Prince George’s Community College Workforce Development Program, offering cohort-based accelerated adult career training. It provides job readiness-related soft skills training combined with occupational trade-related technical skills training.
Registration for spring 2022 is open, with multiple start dates and modalities that allow students to pursue an education on their terms. To learn more, contact apply@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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