ROCKLAND COUNTY, N.Y. — Today, Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY), U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones (D-NY) announced $2,960,808 in federal funding for Rockland Community College (RCC). The funding was allocated through the Title V program, which provides resources for Hispanic-serving institutions to expand educational opportunities and enhance programs, fasciitis, and equipment for students. This is one of the largest grants allocated for RCC in the history of the institution.
“Rockland Community College is leading the pack when it comes to giving Hudson Valley residents the tools and education they need for good paying careers, and now thanks to this major federal boost more underserved students will finish their degrees and succeed in the workforce,” said Senator Schumer. “I am proud to deliver this $2.9 million award to RCC to better prepare students for the future and help the Hawks soar higher than ever before.”
“Investing in our institutions of higher education like Rockland Community College is imperative for providing all members of the community with access to a top-flight education,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “Our state’s institutions of higher learning provide New York and Rockland County with a more highly-skilled workforce that can compete in the global job market, and this kind of federal funding will help bolster our statewide economy in the long term.”
“RCC continues to be a beacon of high quality, affordable education in Rockland County. I’m proud to announce this funding that will bolster important programs to ensure student success in the classroom and in their future ahead,” said Congressman Mondaire Jones.
“What an honor it is for Rockland Community College to receive a third Title V grant. This is testament to our dedicated faculty, staff, and students,” said Dr. Susan Deere, Officer-in-Charge at RCC. “This award will help RCC implement an Accelerated Studies in Associated Programs (ASAP) model, which will support our students by providing services that will help to improve completion rates. This funding will also support our professional development and data infrastructure. I want to thank our federal government partners for their critical work in helping RCC obtain this important funding.”
This grant will be used to fund the Realizar en RCC project, which aims to increase accessibility and improve outcomes for RCC students. The project includes the Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) designed to increase the number of students who complete their degree by 150% over 3 years. With this funding, RCC will expand its student services and career readiness programs, strengthen infrastructure and data-utilization and provide faculty and staff professional development and training opportunities around informed and holistic student advising, and greater data literacy.