FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MIAMI DADE COLLEGE RECEIVES $1.1 MILLION GRANT TO ASSIST FINANCIALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS
MIAMI, July 14, 2005 – Miami Dade College has received a $1.1 million grant that will allow the college to remain at the forefront of targeting economically disadvantaged students who will be the first in their families to graduate from college.
The Student Support Services Program grant was awarded to Miami Dade College’s North Campus by the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). It is part of the Federal TRIO programs which offers assistance to help motivate students from underprivileged backgrounds.
“Access and retention are cornerstone elements of MDC’s commitment to availing educational opportunities to students,” said MDC North Campus President Dr. José A. Vicente. “Through this TRIO Student Support Services grant funding, the North Campus will be ideally positioned to establish and nurture a special learning community of students toward their educational development and success.”
Some 200 eligible participants will be enrolled in the program, which will offer support and enrichment services such as tutoring, academic, career and financial aid advisement; personal counseling, assistance in transitioning to upper division studies, mentoring, supplemental instruction and special accommodations for students with disabilities, services for students with limited English proficiency, as well as cultural education and leadership development. The goal is to increase the retention and graduation rate of students and to facilitate the process of transition from one level of higher education to the next.
Eligible participants must be a citizen or permanent legal resident of the United States, and be enrolled or accepted for enrollment at Miami Dade College, North Campus. The learning community will consist of full-time students, low-income, first generation, and students with disabilities. Students who meet more than one eligibility criteria will be given special consideration to participate in this program.
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The TRIO programs began with the Upward Bound initiative, which emerged out of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 in response to the government’s War on Poverty. In 1965, the second outreach program called Talent Search was created as part of the Higher Education Act. In 1968, Student Support Services, originally known as Special Services for Disadvantaged Students, was authorized by the Higher Education Amendments and became the third in a series of educational opportunity programs. By the late 1960's, the term "TRIO" was coined to describe these federal programs. Over the years, the TRIO Programs have been expanded and improved to provide a wider range of services and to reach more students who need assistance.
For more information on the TRIO Program, contact: Malou C. Harrison,
Dean of Students (305) 237-1565.
Media contacts: Manolo Barco (305) 237-3081 or Beverly Counts Rodrigues, Director of Media Relations (305) 237-3949
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This and other news releases from MDC’s Media Relations Department are available on the web at <www.mdc.edu>.