Somerset Community College gets $2.2 million, five-year grant

SOMERSET, Ky. (WTVQ) – Somerset Community College has been awarded a five-year $2.2 million grant to expand services for both students ad faculty.

The $2,236,481 from the competitive U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program is for the college’s “Raising Appalachia: Innovative Student Engagement (RAISE)” initiative.

The grant was announced by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Fifth District U.S. Rep. Harold ‘Hal’ Rogers.

SCC plans to use the federal funding to create a learning commons for increased campus-wide engagement, to establish learning centers for faculty professional development and peer mentoring, and to implement a college navigator program for student success coaching.

“The vast majority of our students in rural Kentucky no longer have to leave their beloved hometowns to get a college degree and pursue their dream jobs, thanks to the incredible progress taking place at educational institutions, like Somerset Community College,” Rogers said. “The Somerset campus is now home to the University Center of Southern Kentucky, providing a seamless transition for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, education, criminal justice, political science, business administration, accounting, information technology, and much more. This grant effectively gives our best and brightest students the tools they need to use their talents right here at home, making southern and eastern Kentucky a better place to live for future generations.”

“Words cannot express the importance of this grant,” said Dr. Carey W. Castle, president/CEO of Somerset Community College. “It will change the lives of our students, faculty, and staff.”