Submitted by South Puget Sound Community College
South Puget Sound Community College has received a five-year, $2.25 million Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The grant, the largest single grant in the college’s history, was announced by Congressman Denny Heck, D-10th District, at the college’s Oct. 4 Foundation event, The Experience.
The college will receive $450,000 per year from 2014-2019 to establish the Graduation and Achievement Initiatives, Networks and Strategies (GAINS) program. GAINS is a comprehensive, integrated student success program for all new credit students who intend to earn a degree or complete a program.
“Our students’ ability to persist through their studies and complete their educational journey with us is central to their long-term success and to the overall prosperity of our community,” said Tim Stokes, president of South Puget Sound Community College. “The Strengthening Institutions Grant gives us the resources to build clear pathways to achievement for our students. We are thrilled to be awarded the funds and grateful for the support of the Department of Education.”
Among the program strategies the grant will cover are:
- Student services, advising and career planning
- First-year experience services
- Supplemental instruction/faculty tutoring
- Enrichment of the campus technology environment
- Establishment of a faculty professional learning community for instructional innovation
South Puget Sound Community College is a public, comprehensive, two-year institution and is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. The college serves approximately 6,000 students each quarter.
