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The Council of Independent Colleges (CIC) announced that grants to support college access, success, and retention programming for at-risk students were awarded to four state fundraising consortia of independent colleges in South Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Illinois. These grants are funded by the FIHE/UPS First Opportunity Venture Fund (FOVF) grant program, created to support the “first opportunity” student population which includes low-income, minority, and new American students, as well as those who represent the first in their family to attend college.
A total of $100,000 to fund four grants that require the recipients to raise matching gifts will be administered by the State Fund consortia supporting collaborative programs to benefit under-represented students at their member colleges. Initiatives include programs designed to enhance academic experiences in the sciences; increase target student participation in undergraduate research; provide college readiness preparation for at risk students; and increase first-generation student graduation rates. The program is made possible by support from the UPS Foundation, which has sustained the FOVF initiative for seven years.
The South Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities (SCICU) grant program will focus on increasing the participation of first opportunity students in undergraduate research with an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM). This project addresses a national priority—increasing the number of minority students who pursue studies in STEM fields. Twenty SCICU member colleges will be collaborating on the project, which will culminate with a research symposium.
Data show that students who participate in undergraduate research programs benefit at the collegiate level by enriching their educational experience and encouraging postgraduate studies. Research experience also gives students an advantage in the career marketplace by giving them the experience of presenting their research at state and national levels, as well as positioning them for related internship opportunities. Interest in STEM fields among the general population has not kept pace with increasing workforce demand, giving rise to the importance of providing students with opportunities through STEM undergraduate research programs.
In light of this demonstrated need, an additional grant to support undergraduate research with a STEM emphasis was awarded to the Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges (VFIC). Over 30 fellowships will be provided to first opportunity students for participation in a summer-long research program that will include hands-on experience in the sciences. Research symposia on the regional and national level will be an integral part of this program. VFIC will administer its program through collaboration among its member colleges.
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) was awarded a grant to support the expansion of their college readiness program, Bridges, which provides experiential learning activities in academic, social, and interpersonal skills. This community-based program began four years ago with collaboration among 12 of OFIC’s member colleges, the state treasurer’s office, and church-based youth organizations and it rapidly expanded to include partnering with public school systems throughout the state. This spring, OFIC will celebrate its first Bridges graduating class (students who completed the entire college readiness program from eighth grade through their senior year in high school). Thus far, the program has touched over 2,200 students and its expansion made possible by this grant will greatly increase student support opportunities.
The Associated Colleges of Illinois (ACI) was awarded a grant to develop a strategy to expand its existing college access and readiness programming to include fostering students’ persistence in college and increasing graduation rates. ACI’s member institutions will collaborate with the Noble Street Charter Network to create a model program that provides students with support through graduation. Peer mentoring, financial education, and the development of academic and social skills will be included in the program’s prospectus.