CRANFORD – Union County College is the recipient of $2.9 million in federal funds over the course of five years under the Title V, Individual Development Grant, which will commence this fall. On June 26, the U.S. Department of Education announced that 13 Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) would receive a total of $12.2 million to strengthen and expand educational opportunities for Hispanic students.
The HSI program provides grants to make college more attainable for Hispanic students and allows institutions to enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability. The grants assist schools in furthering educational opportunities for students through faculty development, curriculum development, academic tutoring and mentoring, and other services.
Beginning this fall, Union County College will implement LEAP (Learning Enhanced through Accelerated Paths) to improve the academic success and increase the persistence and retention of Hispanic and other low-income first year students who are enrolled in developmental mathematics, developmental English, or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. The accelerated paths will provide students with the opportunity to complete their developmental or ESL 5/6 level courses within a year.
To meet the goals established by the program, the college will establish course redesign within a learning community model. An enhanced student development program will be unveiled that includes professional and peer tutoring, academic/career counseling, on-line advisement, a student orientation program, and leadership development. As well, an expanded cutting-edge professional development program for faculty and staff will be offered that focuses on innovative pedagogy, and student retention and persistence.
