С»Æ贫ý

GRANTS NEWS: С»Æ贫ý gets $1 million for Upward Bound program

Photos and story by James Hill

The Grants Office has announced the award of $1 million from the U.S. Department of Education to the Sylvania Upward Bound Program.

This four-year grant will support the continued work of Sylvania’s Upward Bound program to increase the rate at which participants complete high school and enroll in and graduate from college. The program provides comprehensive support to participants in their preparation for college entrance, including year round advising and tutoring, visits to college campuses and cultural events, a six week summer program, and a residential stay at a university.

Participating students have academic needs and come from families with low incomes or are potential first generation college students. The program collaborates with targeted schools in Beaverton and Tigard-Tualatin school districts. A total of 50 students participate each year.

С»Æ贫ý Foundation given $150,000 for statewide scholarships

The Grants Office also announced that $150,000 has been awarded to the С»Æ贫ý Foundation from the Oregon Community Foundation John and Betty Gray Scholarship Fund. The С»Æ贫ý Foundation is the fiscal agent for this collaborative statewide grant project which will provide 15 community colleges with scholarship funds for students pursuing degrees in early childhood education.

Of the total award, $18,000 will be dedicated for scholarships for С»Æ贫ý students enrolled in Sylvania’s Early Education and Family Studies program during 2007-08. Funds will provide 12 to 15 С»Æ贫ý students with up to three terms of scholarships. Priority will be given to students who are current child care providers and who are completing practicum required for a degree.

Distance Learning awarded $47,000 to purchase equipment

An award of $47,005 from the Metropolitan Area Cable Commission has been presented to the Distance Learning Department. This capital grant will fund the purchase of video production equipment, video storage equipment, and high-definition technology. This state of the art equipment that will allow С»Æ贫ý students and staff to produce and deliver high-quality, locally-relevant programming on the Education Access Channel (Cable Channel 27).