September 26, 2007 CONTACT:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Alisa Sparkia Moore
Public Information Officer
Ventura College
(805) 654-6462, asmoore@vcccd.edu
Dr. Robin Calote
President, Ventura College
(805) 654-6460
rcalote@vcccd.edu
VENTURA COLLEGE AWARDED MORE THAN $2.8 MILLION
TO ASSIST HISPANIC STUDENTS
VENTURA: The United States Department of Education has awarded Ventura College a five-year Title V grant totaling more than $2.87 million. Title V grants are designed to strengthen Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) and serve to increase the enrollment, graduation and transfer rates of Hispanic students. A Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is defined as a non-profit institution that has at least 25 percent Hispanic full-time equivalent enrollment. The grant will serve to assist all the students at the college through enhanced class offerings, additional staffing and supplemental tutoring and other services. The focus is on improving reading, writing and math skills for all students. The funding is not for Hispanic students specifically, but for colleges with a minimum percentage of Hispanic students.
Ventura College will receive a total of $2,870,055.00 over the five-year grant period, beginning October 1, 2007. The college was one of only five in California to receive an award, and one of only three California community colleges. Nationwide, a total of $17.2 million will fund 30 new development grants in FY 2007 under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program.
This is Ventura College’s third Title V grant since 2001, having received an Individual Development Grant in 2001 and a Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant in 2002 with Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria. There are two types of grants awarded under the Title V program. An Individual Development Grant is awarded to a single, eligible institution. A Cooperative Arrangement Development Grant is awarded to an institution and its partners.
According to Dr. Robin Calote, president of Ventura College, “The Ventura College enrollment is 40% Hispanic and 50% minority overall. We are excited to have the opportunity to assist a substantial portion of our student body with increasing their success rates in two major basic skills areas: mathematics and English. The associate degree requirements will be changing in 2009, requiring college level algebra and a higher level of English writing skills. This grant is designed to support our students in their pursuit of those skills.”
“In addition,” Dr. Calote continued, “ the grant is designed to assist Ventura College in increasing Hispanic student enrollment, retention and persistence. The US Department of Education, through Title V, is providing students with the opportunity to achieve by addressing their specific academic and financial challenges. We will, through this grant, be developing informational programs, recruiting mentors, and strengthening outreach efforts to Hispanic families and communities.”
Ramiro Sanchez, Executive Vice President of Student Learning, said, “The Title V award gives Ventura College an even greater opportunity to better serve all students but in particular Latino students by increasing the variety of services offered. This will greatly enhance the chances of success in higher education for Latino, first generation, and low income students. We will also have the opportunity to increase the visibility and viability of the college’s occupational or career tech programs by developing modular, fast-track programs that lead to high wage employment by partnering with local businesses and industries.”
For additional information, contact Dr. Robin Calote, president, at (805) 654-6460, or by email at rcalote@vcccd.edu. |
