A partnership between Achieving the Dream and Lumina Foundation will support 20 institutions in their efforts to improve enrollment of adult students, especially Black, Latinx, and Native American students. The average student attending a community college is 28 years old; adult learners are more likely to have more demands on their time, whether through employment, parenting, or other commitments.
The grant, called Prioritizing Adult Community College Enrollment (PACCE), will provide technical assistance, offering support in personalized feedback, office hours, and a monthly curriculum.
“The colleges who will be the recipients of this grant already show that they have a deep understanding of the needs of adult students and include racial equity as an explicit goal. This direct support will help them accelerate, scale, and sustain their efforts,” said Dr. Monica Parrish Trent, vice president of Achieving the Dream.
Two-year institutions in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Michigan, New York, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia, along with 35 Tribal Colleges and Universities are eligible for funding. Applications are due by September 17.