Seminole State receives $2 million grant from U.S. Department of Education

Awarded with a Title III Strengthening Institutions Grant from the U.S. Department of Education, Seminole State College of Florida is as ready as ever to help its students GO Far. The $2,238,000 grant will run over five years and be used to bolster student outcomes, specifically in the health and public safety fields.

The Title III Strengthening Institutions grant was created by the Department of Education to help eligible institutions of higher education expand their capacity to serve low-income students. Seminole State aims to use the grant to:

• Enhance student outreach and support services by the development of a guided pathway to assist students in general education gateway courses such as biology and English.
• Strengthen equity opportunities for all students.
• Close achievement gaps in gateway courses where students are at risk of failure or withdrawal.

Dr. Cheryl Cicotti, associate vice president of the School of Business, Health and Public Safety, is serving as project director for the grant. “Ensuring that all students have the support they need to be successful in these early gateway courses is essential not only for building their confidence, but for them to capitalize on opportunities in the nursing, health and public safety programs,” Cicotti said. “The demand for professionals in these fields is on the rise, and this grant helps us better prepare a diverse pool of graduates who will excel in the field.”

The College plans to utilize an activity director to work with deans, faculty and student services for recruitment and retention as well as an outreach/advising developer to assist students in academic and personal concerns that could affect their progression.

The grant will also facilitate the creation of a student learning hub that will act as a physical space for mentoring, tutoring and studying. Faculty can use funds for professional development and will develop further curriculum that incorporates specific career applications of the nursing, health and public safety fields into their courses.