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WESSON- Copiah-Lincoln Community College was recently awarded a $50,000 grant from the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi (WFM). The grant funds will be used to support 60 female students through the Complete Co-Lin program during the 2017-2018 academic year.
Each semester, 30 women will be selected for the program. The goal is to increase the completion rate of women who place in developmental classes through an over-placement opportunity. This opportunity enables students to by-pass the intermediate class and place directly in the college credit course of English Composition I and/or College Algebra. To ensure student success, additional instructors and aids will be present in each course. On-campus student organizations will also serve as tutors for program participants outside of the classroom.
Co-Lin’s Dean of Academic Instruction Dr. Stephanie Duguid said offering more individual help will facilitate student success.
“Participants will have two instructors to help them in class, along with tutoring opportunities outside of class with student tutors and at The Writing Center,” said Duguid. “This also creates a network of support for women because they have multiple instructors, tutors, and a go-to person whenever they need help. We’re hoping to create relationships that make women feel at home.”
In addition to college course assistance, grant funding will be used for “Lunch and Learn” seminars featuring career women as guests speakers. The seminars will serve as an opportunity to motivate and encourage participants and expose them to various career paths. Grant Coordinator Dr. Tim Lea says the seminars serve as a way to show participating women that they can achieve their career goals, just like other professional women in the area. In addition, grant funds will be used to promote women’s success through billboards, banners, and digital media.
“The program is created for women of all ages and educational backgrounds,” said Duguid. “Some women may feel as if they’ll be the oldest person in class, or that they’ve been out of school too long to succeed. That is simply not the case. Once they get to class, they will see that there are many women just like them, getting a fresh start on their academic goals.”
“The overall goal is to encourage and empower women toward success. Success can be anything they define it to be. It may be finishing a few classes, getting a job earning a sustainable wage for their family, or showing their children that they were successful. We’re giving them the tools and resources so that they can achieve their goals,” said Duguid.
For more information about the Women’s Foundation of Mississippi visit www.womensfoundationms.org.
