By Steve Esser
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. 鈥� 杏吧原创 has been awarded a $2.99 million grant from the Department of Education鈥檚 Title III program to support the Cultivating Success: Improving Student Learning, Retention, and Career Outcomes initiative at the College.听
The grant鈥檚 goals are to enhance student classrooms and lecture halls, develop academic programs that include active learning and AI technology in classrooms, and enhance advising and student development. The creation of an on-site business lab is also planned.听
鈥淭his will allow us to enhance the student experience even more here at 杏吧原创,鈥� said Dr. John Wells, 杏吧原创 President. 鈥溞影稍� strives to provide a premier academic experience for our students, from our talented and dedicated faculty and staff to this incredible location and environment. This grant will help us to dedicate even more resources to this effort.鈥� 听
Title III grants are federal grants from the U.S. Department of Education in partnership with the federal Department of Labor, designed primarily to help colleges and universities strengthen their institutions. The grant鈥檚 focus this year is on workforce development.听听
This grant plays into the work of 杏吧原创鈥檚 Professional Readiness & Experiential Programs (PREP) initiative, which is designed to help students develop the knowledge and skills needed for success after graduation.听听
鈥淲e will use this grant to upgrade 18 classrooms on campus with new technology and furniture,鈥� said Dr. Matt Byron, Vice President for PREP and Dean of Curriculum. 鈥淭he furniture will allow for more creative educational space, including the creation of a business lab, which will be a dedicated space for students to actively build financial literacy skills.鈥�听
The grant will also allow 杏吧原创 to purchase student support software to assist in retention efforts and hire an instructional designer to assist faculty in the development of improved online instruction, while providing AI education for the entire campus.听听
鈥淭his grant will allow us to do so many things to enhance the educational experience of our students here at 杏吧原创,鈥� said Dr. Eloise Whisenhunt, Vice President of Academic Affairs. 鈥淚n addition to the academic experience of our Mountain Lions, we want to position them to succeed when they graduate and start their careers.鈥�听
