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MCC Daily Tribune Archive

Wednesday Message


In his All College Days address, American Association of Community Colleges CEO Dr. Walter Bumphus spoke about the AACC report “Empowering Community Colleges to Build the Nation’s Future.” In many ways, MCC is meeting and exceeding the recommendations in the report. Through October 15, members of the President’s Cabinet are using the Wednesday Message to highlight and celebrate those MCC initiatives that align with the report’s seven recommendations. This week's message comes from Diane Shoger, executive director, MCC Foundation.

The report’s sixth recommendation is:  Target public and private investments strategically.

To make sure our community college remains affordable, MCC is making the most of every available funding stream – an effort that involves private philanthropy and advocacy for sustainable public funding.

Dr. Bumphus urges us to find innovative ways to diversify our revenue streams while recognizing the very real challenge of managing resources in ways to achieve better outcomes at lower cost.

How is MCC doing this work?

· We have an engaged, active presence with our elected officials at the local, state and federal levels.  We have regularly invited our elected officials to tour our campuses.  Their ability to meet with our students puts a real face on our advocacy.

· We lobbied our state officials for increased FTE funding.

· We send monthly position papers to all elected officials to keep MCC front of mind.

· We have advocated with congressmen for the restoration of summer Pell and expanded Pell funding.

· The MCC Foundation launched
Every Bright Future Needs a Strong Foundation in fall 2010; EBF is an initiative to fund scholarships and grow our academic endowment.  Since inception, more than $3.1 million has been transferred to support student scholarships and the Foundation’s endowment now exceeds $12 million.  

· As part of a collaboration between the MCC Association and MCC Foundation, we launched Scholarships Online on September 1.  Already, 371 students have accessed the system and 284 have completed applications.  Scholarships Online is going to increase access to, and awareness of, scholarships available to support student success. 

· We have involved our federal delegation in our efforts to secure federal grants.  Our success with TAACCCT and NIH is partially attributable to our advocacy.

· By being the first community college to gain Start-Up NY approval, we have signaled to our governor that we welcome our role in job creation and economic development.

· We have partnered with 12 Colleges & Universities across NY and in PA in a unique program which enhances seamless transitions for MCC students and also raises critical unrestricted revenue for us.

· Partnerships with business and industry support programs which support dual enrollment, college readiness, career and technical education and summer programs for youth.  Traditional gifts and pledges from private sources are augmented with gift-in-kind goods and services and public funding sources to create a truly diversified and creative revenue stream.

Collaborations within the college have increased productivity and renewed public and private investment in MCC.  At the same time, our intentional strategies to advocate with state and federal are reaping benefits which benefit our students and programs.


Comments and suggestions? Leave them on the blog.

Diane L. Shoger
MCC Foundation
10/08/2014