Press Releases 2009

CONTACT:  Jana Marcus, Marketing & Communications
(831) 479-5744
jamarcus [at] cabrillo.edu

October 13, 2009

Cabrillo College Awarded $2,874,895 Title V Grant From the U.S. Department of Education
Grant Funds High Engagement Practices for Transitioning Students At Hispanic Serving Institutions

APTOS, CA - Cabrillo College has been awarded one of the most competitive grants in the country— the Title V Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI) grant, awarded through the U.S. Department of Education. The grant will fund close to $2.9 million in projects at the college over the next five years. The Title V grant program helps eligible institutions of higher education enhance and expand their capacity to serve Hispanic and low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional stability, management and fiscal capabilities of eligible institutions. Cabrillo College gained HSI eligibility three years ago.

“With these grant funds we will be able to develop innovative programs and curriculum designed to increase student retention and success,” stated Renee Kilmer, Vice President of Instruction at Cabrillo. “Our Title V project will lead more students to their degree or transfer goals, by providing additional student support such as tutoring and counseling, while the students are enrolled in the new Summer Bridge and First Year Experience programs supported by this grant,” said Dr. Kilmer, summarizing the impact the grant will have on the college and its students.

Many staff and faculty across campus were involved in the development of the grant proposal by filling out Title V surveys in spring 2009 or attending committee meetings over the last two years of the grant proposal’s development. The Title V Oversight Committee and the Proposal Development Task Force had broad college representation from all components and shared governance groups, making this effort a genuine exercise in collaboration.

Rachel Mayo, Cabrillo’s Dean of Education Centers, worked on obtaining the HSI eligibility for the college, which in itself took many years, and once HSI status was gained, she led the various meetings and focus groups and compiled all draft materials for the grant writers, all of which has led to the success of the grant application.

“The college community is looking forward to making all the improvements for students that this grant will provide,” said Dr. Mayo. “This year we will equip more smart classrooms, order more books for the library, set up a database to track student achievement and design our Summer Bridge and First Year Experience program to start in summer 2010. Faculty and all others involved are excited about these projects and eager to begin planning to make them successful.” Dr. Mayo will be the Title V project director, and will be guiding the college through the five year grant implementation.

The Title V grant, “High Engagement Practices for Transitioning Students,” began October 1, 2009 and ends September 30, 2014. The funds will come in installments over the next five years, with the key activities identified in Cabrillo’s grant proposal as follows:

• Provide new students a strong foundation for success with a Summer Bridge and First Year Experience program for 80 participants per year.
• Improve curriculum by redesigning courses to be more effective with Basic Skills students, particularly in the subjects of English as a Second Language, Early Childhood Education and math.
• Implement a new tutoring model based on in-class learning assistants and after-class discussion groups.
• Increase the number of multimedia-equipped classrooms and classroom labs.
• Implement a faculty inquiry database to allow instructors to evaluate effectiveness of teaching methodology and curriculum.
• Provide an electronic information kiosk for a student Welcome Center.
• Provide a leisure reading collection at the college library to increase the amount of reading in the student population.
• Provide federal matching funds for gifts raised through the Cabrillo College Foundation to continue these projects once the grant period is over.

About Cabrillo College
Cabrillo College is a leading California community college serving Santa Cruz County with locations in Aptos, Scotts Valley and Watsonville. It is ranked #1 in transfers to UC Santa Cruz. Founded in 1959, the college offers more than 100 academic and career technology programs that serve multiple educational goals such as A.A. and A.S. degrees, certificates of achievement, skills certificates, transfer to four-year institutions or for lifelong learning and personal enrichment. Its mission is to enhance the intellectual, cultural and economic vitality of its diverse community by assisting all students in their quest for lifelong learning and success in an ever-changing world.