October 21, 2021 3:40 a.m. 

Umpqua Community College has been awarded a $2 million federal grant.

A release said it’s from the Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Program. The 5-year grant will fund programs to support students in college preparedness, retention and graduation.

The programs will employ two new staff members dedicated to helping students make a transition to college level courses. An enhanced First-Year Experience course will help bridge that gap by providing a student help desk and increased tutoring help.

The release said the college will also establish a writing center in the library to help students master college-level writing in their first year. Technology improvements to be funded include a teaching and learning hub to develop a collaborative space for teaching, a student support center and smart classroom for training and professional development. Cohorts are created within the program so students develop friendships and professional contacts. An early alert software system will help identify students that need extra academic assistance and will prioritize outreach.

Dean of Learning Support Services Danielle Haskett said, “We have a lot of challenges to solve with our first-year students, ensuring that they are ready to start college and able to access technology”. She said the grant will help UCC face those challenges and get them across the finish line and advance with a successful entry into well-paying careers.

The release said the federal Strengthening Institutions Program is designed to assist institutions of higher education in expanding their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability of eligible institutions. The average award amount is $400,000.