The Division of Student Affairs at the College of Charleston has raised $1.4 million for programs and initiatives that will directly serve students and keep them engaged in the campus community. The eight grants will be used to further the division’s mission of facilitating the cultural, social, emotional, physical, ethical and intellectual development of all students.
“We are working hard to develop relationships that will benefit our students, especially in these times,” said Victor Wilson, executive vice president for student affairs. “These new resources will help us to focus on specific issues as well as to meet the changing needs of our students.”
The McNair Scholars Program Grant of $1.1 million over the next four years will establish one of three McNair Scholars programs in the state. It will provide support and funding for students interested in attending graduate school and completing their Ph.D. This program is housed in the Office of the Executive Vice President for Student Affairs.
Public Safety received a $100,000 grant that was used to purchase new radios so officers are better able to communicate with local emergency response agencies in the event of an emergency.
The Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Grant is a total of $200,000 for three years and will be used by Counseling and Substance Abuse Services (CASAS) to prevent and reduce underage and high-risk drinking and the related social harm on campus and in the surrounding community. The goal of the grant is to unify College and community leaders and advocates to jointly plan and support evidence-based policies, programs, and enforcement.
The Crisis Assistance and Response Education (CARE) program received $8,000 from Verizon Wireless for the first NV: No Violence – No Victims Day. The funding allowed CARE to develop NV Day as an annual campus-wide event that has grown into a student-run program that includes petition signing, NV wrist bands, a toy drive and candlelight vigil.
Student life has received $6,000 from the Robert C. and Louise S. Heffron Leadership Fund to support the Student Organizations Summit Series for the 2009-2010 academic year. Through a series of 10 workshops, student organization representatives and advisors will have the tools they’ll need to effectively lead their organizations.
The $4,000 Alliance for Full Acceptance Grant will be used by the Office of Multicultural Student Services and Programs to implement Safe Zone training for faculty, staff and students. The program will help to promote a sense of community with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, queer and questioning (LGBTQQ) students and teaches others about the importance of outreach.
A $2,000 gift from a College of Charleston parent will be used to further support programs and other efforts designed to increase student development services for College students.
The Center for Service Learning received a $10,000 grant to be used for their highly successful Bonner Leaders program. The grant funded orientation, a first and second-year service trip, local summer service internships and an intern.
Ann and Lee Higdon gave $5,000 to the Hidgon Student Leadership Center to offer scholarships to incoming minority students to attend the Center’s weekend leadership retreat, Cougar Excursion. The retreat helps students to begin the transition to the College and since its inception has increased minority student participation by 21%.
For more information, contact Marjorie Thomas at 843.953.4844.
