County College of Morris awarded $2,250,000 million-dollar grant to increase student success, retention and equity
U.S. Department of Education Recognizes the College’s Commitment
RANDOLPH TOWNSHIP, NJ (Morris County) – County College of Morris (CCM) is elated to announce it has been awarded a $2,250,000 million-dollar grant to be disbursed over the course of five years as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Part A Programs – Strengthening Institutions.
This substantial $450,000 five-year annual award aims to increase student success, retention and equity by expanding student advising and support services through a new program, called Titans Track.
Receiving this grant will allow CCM to expand its commitment to fostering student success and advancing education for all students. Funds of this magnitude are typically allocated to institutions that play a vital role in serving a significant number of individuals with high economic need.
Dr. Anthony J. Iacono, President of CCM, expressed his enthusiasm about this transformative grant, stating, “This critically important grant will help ensure every student has the support to succeed. It embodies our spirit of changing lives and strengthening Morris County, the diamond of New Jersey. ”
The core mission of Titans Track is to provide additional support to Pell students through holistic advisement, resulting in high graduation rates for recipients. This initiative draws inspiration from the successful model of the Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) at CCM, which has already had a profound impact on student success. Currently, CCM has the highest graduation rates for community colleges in New Jersey and strives to ensure all students are successful. In the past year, graduation rates for EOF students were 5% higher than CCM’s overall graduation rate.
The grant provides funding that supports the expansion of CCM’s current advising model and the lowering of student-to-advisor ratios, resulting in increased advising opportunities and activities, career and transfer coaching, mentoring and counseling.
Reverend Dr. Sidney S. Williams, Jr., pastor of Bethel Church of Morristown, said, “We are excited to support CCM’s commitment to leverage the respective strengths of several community-based organizations like ours to offer improved access to higher education. We believe that this collaboration will set an example for other community colleges, emphasizing the importance of cooperation in building stronger, more vibrant and resilient communities.”
For the 2023-24 fiscal year, CCM has secured $31.4 million in grants thus far, the highest amount in the history of CCM. Securing new grant funding results in expanded opportunities and growth that ultimately benefit students.
“The Morris County Commissioner board has been fully supportive of the many initiatives by CCM to provide career-building opportunities for our residents, who in turn support the skilled workforce our businesses and our nation need,” said County Commissioner Director John Krickus.
