Wayne Community College has been awarded nearly $2 million to improve its ability to guide students toward completion of their academic goals.
The college garnered a $1,886,333 grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program.
“This is a large and significant grant for us,” said Dr. Thomas A. Walker Jr., WCC president. He expressed gratitude and excitement for the enhancements to college processes it will make possible.
WCC will use the funds to implement a “Coaching, Advising, and Planning for Success” (CAPS) project over the next five years.
“The purpose of this grant is to reinforce the onboarding and registration process at the college and establish a ‘Center for Teaching and Learning,’” said Dr. Tammy Bishop, Academic Foundations Department chair. “During the first year, we will be hiring three new achievement coaches, a career pathways admission specialist, and a research specialist.”
As the project progresses, more personnel are slated to be added. The grant also will cover minor equipment purchases and some capital improvements.
The official description of the CAPS project goals includes improving overall student success through “whole student development” including academic, non-academic, and personal factors; improving student retention and graduation rates by strengthening advisor/student relationships; and improving assessment of learning and institutional effectiveness through the development and implementation of a data collection and analysis system.
Wayne Community College is a public, learning-centered institution with an open-door admission policy located in Goldsboro, N.C. As it works to develop a highly skilled and competitive workforce, the college serves 12,000 individuals annually as well as businesses, industry, and community organizations with high quality, affordable, accessible learning opportunities, including more than 70 college credit programs. WCC’s mission is to meet the educational, training, and cultural needs of the communities it serves.