September 27, 2010
Project Proposal Request
Phoenix Rotary 100
501 E. Osborn Road
Phoenix, AZ85012
Dear Phoenix Rotary 100,
On behalf of PhoenixCollege, we are pleased to submit the Phoenix College Achieving Academic Success Endowment Fundfor 2010 funding consideration. In addition to the completed Project Request Form, we are providing this letter of explanation which includes the following: Project Background, Purpose, Populations Served and Services Providedand Recognition of the Phoenix Rotary 100.
Project Background
The Phoenix College Achieving Academic Success Endowment Fund was established in 2009 as part of a capacity building grant awarded to PhoenixCollege by the U.S. Department of Education. Entitled “Strengthening Hispanic Serving Institutions/Title V Grant”,the $2.3 million-dollar grant seeks to achieve and maintain institutional self-sufficiency by focusing on increasing student academic success so that students complete college level courses and continue from semester to semester.
The terms of the grant include federal seed monies to partially establish a scholarship endowment in the amount of $75,000 spread over a five year period. The dollars are released incrementally over the five year term contingent upon PhoenixCollege and its partners establishing matching funds. Financial giving goals for the first two years of thistimeline have been successfully met to date.
Purpose
The program enhances College level “gatekeeper” courses by developing or obtaining resources to address deficiencies in skill mastery and content knowledge. Gatekeeper courses are generally found in discipline areas that are taught sequentially and are required pre-requisites for other higher level courses in the same disciplines as well asmajors in other areas. Hispanic students have lower rates of success in biology, chemistry and mathematics gatekeeper courses than non-Hispanic students. For instance, only 43% of Hispanic students in chemistry gatekeeper courses complete with the grade of C or better, as compared to 64% of non-Hispanic students. In mathematics, 51% of Hispanic students complete gatekeeper courses with a grade of C or better as compared to 60% of non-Hispanic students. The grant is also designed to increase student access and interest in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) careers, and to build new programs for the future (including new Environmental Science courses)and increase the number of more online and hybrid courses.
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Project Proposal Request
Phoenix Rotary 100
According to the Helios Education Foundation (helios.org), it is estimated that two-thirds of the jobs of the future will require a college degree or some level of advanced training with an emphasis in the areas of STEM). This includes careers in medicine, computer information systems, aerospace, biotechnology, electrical engineering, financial services and healthcare.
For the past 90 years, Phoenix College has built a reputation for providing quality educational opportunities to students from all walks of life. Weprepare them to be skilled and productive contributors to the workforce. Our degree and certificate programs currently offer options in over 200 areas of study. Many of our academic programs (e.g., business, computer information systems, chemistry, engineering, physics, physical science, and nursing)prepare students for careers in a myriad of STEM-related fields.
The Phoenix College Achieving Academic Success Endowment Fund will provide a permanent source of student scholarships for students who demonstrate an interest in pursuing a STEM-related area of study as well as financial need. Furthermore, as previously mentioned, the grant provides a dollar-for-dollar match provided for all private contributions made to the Endowment Fund over a five year period.
Populations Served and Services Provided
Phoenix College (PC) is a large, public, two-year Hispanic Serving Institution that provides post-secondary education for an ethnically diverse student population in central Phoenix, Arizona. As of the fall 2010 semester, enrollment exceeds 13,000 students. Hispanics make up 32% of total enrollment and are the fastest growing ethnic group at the college. Minority students comprise 48% of total enrollment. Census data indicates that many of the residents in the college’s vicinity are from low -income households. Most entering PC students are underprepared for college level courses because of reading, mathematics and english skills deficiencies. An estimated 50%of the entering students score below college level on English, reading and mathematics placement testsdeficits that make it more difficult for them to succeed in college level content areas. The placement test results for Hispanic students are even bleaker: 61% scored below college level in both reading and writing and 53% scored below college level in mathematics. Grant money is available for PC faculty to develop resources which enhance the academic quality and increase successful completions and persistence in the gatekeepercourses. Several resources already have completed and are available to the students.
Additionally, freshmen students receive training in academic, career and professional development. Subsequently, a select group of sophomore students serve as peer mentors to incoming freshmen. All students receive personalized assistance and guidance from the Title V Math and Science Specialist.
The Phoenix College Achieving Academic Success Endowment Fund will make it possible for students to pursue a STEM-related course of study by increasing the number of scholarships available to them and increasing the pipeline of students pursuing STEM-related areas of study.
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Project Proposal Request
Phoenix Rotary 100
Recognition of the Phoenix Rotary 100
Private donors have provided the catalyst to student success at PhoenixCollege, particularly with regard to student scholarships. Phoenix Rotary 100 would be recognized for their contribution among the following ways:
- Donor Recognition Wall: Donors of $10,000 and above will be permanently listed on this stylish, contemporary art-inspired piece that will be part of the new HannellyStudentServicesCenterBuilding. This building will be the “heart of the campus” and slated to open/be completed on/ in 2013.
- President’s Newsletter: This monthly online publication/communication contains the latest news and information about PC and is distributed electronically to more than 3,500 alumni, donors, partners and community members.
- BearTales: The Generations Project: Thiswebsite recognizes donors of PhoenixCollege (completion date: spring 2011).
We appreciate your time and consideration in reviewing our proposal. If you require additional information or clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact us anytime at (602) 285-7667.
Warm regards,
Anna Solley, Ed.D.Frank Luna, Director
PresidentDirector
PhoenixCollegeAlumni and Development
1. The “Strengthening Hispanic Serving Institutions/Title V Grant” provides matching funds for the Phoenix College Achieving Academic Success Endowment Fund over a five-year period from 2009-2013 totaling $75,000. This translates to a total permanent Endowment Fund of $150,000 by 2013.