College Receives $230,084 in Perkins Grant Funding

Published 03.16.2009

News

Pennsylvania College of Technology is the recipient of a $230,084 grant for 2008-09 funded by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Technical Education Act.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Vocational and Adult Education, the federal grant provides Penn College with the financial support to invest in state-of-the-art instructional equipment and academic-support services for students.

Through the Perkins Grant, Penn College purchased instructional equipment for academic majors within six of the college's eight academic schools that have been identified as high-priority occupations.

The majors supported by Perkins funding are carpentry, diesel technology, welding technology, physical fitness specialist, graphic communication and automotive services technician.

"Students enrolled in these programs directly benefit from our Perkins Grant," said Carolyn R. Strickland, assistant vice president for academic services and Perkins Grant manager for the college. "The opportunity to gain hands-on experience on equipment that is currently being used in the field is invaluable to our students as they prepare for their professional careers."

The impact of the Perkins Grant extends beyond the classroom to fund academic-support services critical to students' academic success. Among the Perkins-supported activities are supplemental instruction in math and English, professional tutoring, and services for students with documented disabilities.

Project Success, a free, seven-week program offered to all Penn College students, introduces study and life skills including note-taking, test preparation, time management and communication.

A focus is also placed on improving student participation in nontraditional career majors through workshops, a SMART Girls (Science and Math Applications in Real-World Technologies) program, Counselor Day and other initiatives to inform high school students about nontraditional major options.

"We are extremely grateful for the financial support we receive from our Perkins Grant," Strickland added. "The programs and services the grant enables us to provide significantly enhance our students' learning and overall educational experience."

For more information about Penn College, visit online , e-mail or call toll-free (800) 367-9222.

For more information about grant-funding opportunities, faculty and staff may contact the Grants and Contracts Office at ext. 7562 or through its Web portal.