"At Central Carolina, we have learned that proactive coaching and counseling is a key to helping students succeed," said Bud Marchant, the college president. "We began the College Success Center in 2012 to provide individual support for students. Since its inception, we have increased student retention by 13 percent."
Central Carolina serves Lee, Harnett and Chatham counties. Its program focuses on coaching students in danger of falling behind in class work. The school provides individualized academic and personal support for students.
"It's not enough to get students into college," said Ted Mitchell, under secretary of education, in making the announcement. "We must do all we can to help them succeed, to reach that finish line."
Funding starts Oct. 1 and will be spaced over four years. Nationally, 17 of these "First In The World" grants were announced, totaling $30 million.
Only Central Carolina Community College and Spelman College in Atlanta received grants for existing programs. These larger validation grants are awarded to test programs on a larger scale.
Central Carolina's first task will be to refine its program for use at other colleges, said Vice President of Student Learning Brian Merritt.
Colleges chosen are: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Carteret Community College, Cleveland Community College, College of the Albemarle, Isothermal Community College, Pamlico Community College, Randolph Community College, Roanoke Chowan Community College and Southwestern Community College.
Jobs for the Future will work with Central Carolina and serve as an advisor and advocate for the project. The organization designs education and training systems nationwide.
©2015 The Fayetteville Observer (Fayetteville, N.C.) Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
