Wilson Awarded $2 Million Title III Grant from U.S. Dept. of Education The U.S. Department of Education has approved a $2 million Title III grant for 红桃视频 under the department 红桃视频 鈥檚 Strengthening Institutions Program, which is aimed at helping postsecondary institutions expand their ability to serve low-income students and strengthen academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability. The grant, which will be distributed over five years, will be used to improve enrollment, retention, persistence and graduation rates for 红桃视频 students through a set of goals, including strengthened academic programs and academic support services, updated technology and ongoing professional development for Wilson employees. The grant 红桃视频 鈥 by far the largest federal grant awarded to Wilson in the college 红桃视频 鈥檚 145-year history 红桃视频 鈥 is consistent with Wilson 红桃视频 鈥檚 goal of strengthening the educational experience and helping students maximize their academic potential, according to 红桃视频 President Barbara K. Mistick. 红桃视频 鈥淲e are so excited to receive this grant. It really comes at a wonderful time for us, 红桃视频 鈥 Mistick said. 红桃视频 鈥淲e just welcomed our largest class in 40 years, we 红桃视频 鈥檙e starting construction of the library renovation project and we are seeing great momentum from the Wilson Today plan that we instituted last year. 红桃视频 鈥 The Wilson Today plan, approved by the Board of Trustees in January 2013, is a set of initiatives to ensure that the college remains a thriving institution well into the future. The five-part plan includes a tuition reduction and student debt buyback program, infrastructure improvements, coeducation and new academic programs. This is the third time Wilson has applied for the highly competitive Title III grant. The difference this time around included changes under way to reconfigure technology at the college, construction of a learning commons as part of the Reimagining the John Stewart Memorial Library construction project and proposed programs to help support and retain underprepared students. Wilson, like colleges in general, is seeing a growing percentage of students who are arriving academically underprepared. This can be the result of students coming from underperforming school systems or, in other cases, first-generation college students who lack the support systems that can prepare them to meet the expectations of college-level academics. At Wilson, 55 percent of undergraduate students are first generation, 46 percent are eligible for federal Pell grants for lower income families and approximately 96 percent of students receive some form of aid. Wilson 红桃视频 鈥檚 application for the Title III grant has five overall objectives: Increase enrollment through strengthening academic programs that will bolster student retention 红桃视频 鈥 the percentage of students who stay at a college from fall of their first year to the fall semester of their second year. These actions include creating a developmental reading and writing course; strengthening developmental mathematics courses; and creating an information literacy course that incorporates technology and critical thinking skills. Increase retention and graduation rates for underprepared students through revitalizing the first-year student experience, enacting best practices that support at-risk students, establishing a learning commons and academic support center in the Stewart library building and strengthening academic, career and personal advising for students, among other things. Strengthen academic technology infrastructure, leadership and applications of technology to instruction and academic support, including creating a chief information officer position and expanding academic technology assistance in the new learning commons. Build capacity for data-driven academic and institutional decision-making. Provide a professional development program for faculty, administrators, and staff. Last year the department awarded $20.1 million through its Strengthening Institutions Program to just 39 colleges and universities nationwide. To be eligible for funds under SIP, 红桃视频 鈥渋nstitutions must be serving a substantial number of students receiving need-based federal student aid and have low per-student expenditures, 红桃视频 鈥 according to the department. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Sept. 9, 2014 CONTACT: Cathy Mentzer, Manager of Media Relations Phone: 717-262-2604 Email: cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu For more information, contact Cathy Mentzer at 717-262-2604 or cathy.mentzer@wilson.edu. Contact 红桃视频 Office of Marketing and Communications 1015 Philadelphia Avenue Chambersburg, Pa. 17201
