Thursday, July 18, 2002 

 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AWARDS STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES GRANT TO MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE

 

(GARDNER)—Mount Wachusett Community College has been awarded a $1.7 million TRIO/Student Support Services Grant from the United States Department of Education. The grant will fund the college’s Visions Program for five years.
The grant award for FY 2003 includes more than $42,000 to be distributed directly to eligible students in the form of special grant aid. Students may use this money to help defray the cost of attendance and/or to assist them with child care, transportation, housing and other expenses which could impact their ability to stay in school. MWCC’s financial aid office determines students’ eligibility using guidelines set by the Department of Education.

The Visions Program provides a variety of support services to help students succeed in college. “This grant will allow our students to continue to have access to the tools they need to achieve their goals,” said Mount Wachusett Community College President Daniel M. Asquino. “We’re especially proud that the Visions Program received a perfect score in the competition, which resulted in the five-year funding as opposed to a four-year award.”

U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy said, "A college education and a college degree should be accessible, affordable, and attainable for all Americans. Mount Wachusett Community College will use these federal dollars to reach out to its students and help them to achieve their academic and career goals." U.S. Senator John Kerry agreed. "This grant is vital to the futures of students taking part in the MWCC's Visions Program. It will be used to help individuals access educational opportunities and job skills training which is the key to enabling them to improve their life chances, provide for their families and power our economy," said Kerry.

Visions serves 225 students each year. At least two-thirds of these students must qualify as income-eligible and first generation college students. In addition, students with documented learning disabilities are also eligible. Services include:

Weekly workshops are offered each semester including topics such as effective study strategies, time management and test-taking techniques.

A major initiative of the Visions Program is the four-week assessment/early warning system. MWCC faculty provide Visions staff with checklists regarding student progress. Support services are then tailor made to meet individual student needs. “This early intervention approach has proven to be very effective,” said Visions Director JoAnn Brooks. “We have been able to help countless numbers of students overcome their difficulties and go on to graduate and/or transfer to a baccalaureate institution.”

Brooks said another effective tool is the Ambassador Program. “We match up returning students with new students to help them become acclimated to college life. A bond is then created between the new student and the program, as well as the college. In fact, research shows that this bond is a major factor in student success and retention.”

The Visions Program also offers students a Technology-Based Enrichment Center featuring computers, AlphaSmart laptop computers available for checkout, large study area and transfer information corner.
Information on the Visions Program is available by calling (987) 630-9297.