St Clair County Community College receives grant for student success initiatives

St Clair County Community College (SC4) has received a $2 million grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation that will allow the college to enhance and expand its student success initiatives. The college has been working to make college more accessible and to support the region’s workforce by aligning its offerings with its needs, and this grant will help SC4 to continue working to enhance student support efforts.

According to an article on SC4’s website, Sarah Rutallie, who serves as the school’s Chief of Staff, was quoted as saying, “These initiatives represent a significant investment in our students and the future of our community. By creating clear educational pathways, expanding access to college opportunities, leveraging technology and providing comprehensive student support, we are helping more students achieve their educational and career goals. These efforts also help build the skilled workforce our local employers need while creating greater opportunities for individuals and families throughout our region.”

SC4 is expanding its efforts in many areas of student success, including by creating additional dual enrollment opportunities that align with the needs of the region’s workforce, creating seamless transfer opportunities to institutions that offer bachelor degrees, and helping students identify and begin working toward their goals early in their college education.

One current partnership SC4 has that aligns with these goals is with Saginaw Valley State University through transfer pathways. The two schools have an established Bachelor of Science in Nursing pathway that will help students who gained foundational skills and education at SC4 transfer to SVSU to pursue a bachelor degree in a high-demand field.

Thanks to the grant funding, the college will also invest in tools that will help track student engagement and outcomes, allowing staff and faculty to guide students through their challenges and provide personalized support. The college will also begin to form new opportunities for internships, apprenticeships, and career placement, ensuring students have experiences within their chosen fields.

For more information about St Clair County Community College, visit the school’s website.