SIC Awarded $62,905 in CTE Improvement Grants From Illinois Community College Board
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Southeastern Illinois College has been awarded $62,905 in grant funding to support its continued improvement and innovation of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming.
Southeastern Illinois College will provide high-touch advising and support to CTE students. They will work with area high schools, the financial aid office, and students, particularly those with barriers to success, to provide seamless transitions into and through the postsecondary process.
“The CTE Improvement Grant will allow us to hire a CTE Navigator that will assist all CTE students in overcoming barriers to success,” said Lori Cox, associate dean of workforce and community education at SIC. “We look forward to offering this new support system to make a difference for our students’ education and lives.”
The community college system offers over 4,300 high-quality, affordable CTE programs across the state. As many Illinoisans struggle with COVID-19 related job loss, community college CTE programs provide an avenue to high-skill, in-demand jobs across a number of career fields.
“This funding will support student success in high need industries, including information technology and education,” said Dr. Brian Durham, executive director of the ICCB. “The grants allow colleges to make a significant investment in advising, coaching, and mentoring CTE faculty and students, at a time when the need for a connection between teachers and students is paramount.”
Statewide, 21 community colleges received nearly $1.7 million in CTE Improvement Grant funds in 2020. Grant recipients can use the funds in one of three ways: to enhance student transitions, to provide student-centered support services, or to strengthen the CTE educator pipeline.
CTE grants are funded through the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act.
Southeastern Illinois College in Harrisburg with an extension center in Carmi was founded in 1960 and offers more than 80 degree and certificate programs. At $106 per credit hour, SIC boasts one of the lowest tuition rates in the region, saving transfer students more than $20,000 during their first two years of college. Additionally, more than 70% of students receive some form of financial aid or scholarships.
SIC has provided online classes since 2001 and offers dual credit for area high schools, accelerated courses, night classes and community education opportunities. With approximately 4,000 full or part-time students per year and more than 200 employees, SIC is a top employer in Southern Illinois. For more information, visit www.sic.edu. Registration for fall is going on now. Classes begin Aug. 17. Email advising@sic.edu to register.
About the Illinois Community College Board
The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is the state coordinating organization for the Illinois Community College System – the third largest in the country and the leading public workforce development trainer in the state. The ICCB has statutory responsibility for administering state and federal grants to community college districts and adult education providers and managing high school equivalency testing for Illinois. Illinois community colleges serve over 600,000 residents each year in credit, noncredit, and continuing education courses. Illinois is home to 48 colleges in 39 community college districts which provide high quality, accessible, cost-effective educational opportunities to the entire state.
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