Monroe Community College's Transfer and Placement program received a Community College Transfer Program Grant for $38,916 from the State University of New York this fall. The grant specifically supports programs for underrepresented students (defined as African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans). Competition for this grant is becoming more intense among colleges and universities.
MCC received its first SUNY Community College Transfer Program grant in 1989. Over the past decade, the number of underrepresented students who have successfully completed a degree program has increased by 129 percent. Today, approximately 3,400 students from underrepresented populations currently attend classes at MCC; this represents 21 percent of the total student population. Approximately 30 percent of underrepresented students are at the sophomore level in fall 2002.
"We have two goals when it comes to allocating funds from this grant," said Chris Belle-Isle, director, Transfer and Placement. "One is to increase the number of underrepresented students completing degrees at MCC and the other is to better prepare those students to successfully transfer and pursue a bachelor's degree."
Belle-Isle has partnered with Patricia Kennedy, director, Student Support Services, to meet the needs of underrepresented students. Each year, the two offices combine resources and grant monies to improve programs and services to underrepresented students.
"Our graduates are ready to compete at the four-year colleges," said Belle-Isle. "If you compare the ratio of underrepresented students who transfer to four-year institutions to results within the traditional student population, the ratio of underrepresented students who transfer successfully is equal to or greater than the traditional student population. We need to continue to survey this population in order to truly measure the success of our program and compete for future grants," he said.
Rosanna Condello
Public Affairs
11/05/2002 |