Lebanon Valley College has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the American Talent Initiative to support community college students transferring to LVC.
The grant will fund a program aimed at increasing enrollment and graduation rates of community college students pursuing four-year degrees, according to a press release.
The program, announced jointly by LVC President Dr. James M. MacLaren and Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) President Dr. John J. “Ski” Sygielski, will provide individualized support for students beginning their journey at HACC. This support includes a dedicated transfer coach, financial assistance for Pell-eligible students, and the opportunity to take LVC courses at no cost while completing their HACC degree.
“This generous IDEAS Fund grant from the American Talent Initiative will help us strengthen and improve our strong Pell enrollment and graduation rates,” MacLaren said in the release. “Focusing on clear pathways and strong faculty and administrative support, including a new ‘transfer coach’ who will work with students beginning when they are enrolled at HACC, we will provide seamless guidance to enroll – and succeed – at LVC.”
The program emphasizes a seamless transition to LVC, with the goal of accelerating degree completion and fostering student success.
LVC was one of 16 institutions selected for the ATI grant out of a competitive pool of 47 applicants. The ATI Fund, totaling $5 million, is a collaborative effort between the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and Ithaka S+R, funded by Bloomberg Philanthropies.
“LVC eventually will extend the program to other community colleges, inviting them to join us in this critical mission,” said Dr. Susan Tammaro, LVC’s provost and vice president of academic affairs.
The initiative underscores LVC’s commitment to fostering an inclusive academic environment and contributing to national efforts to increase college completion for lower-income students, according to the release.
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