Arizona State University selected ƹƵ (RCBC) to participate in a national project aimed at increasing the opportunity for students to have real-world work experience before they graduate.
RCBC is the only community college among eight institutions included in this initiative called the Work-integrated Learning Accelerator. It is funded by a $1.75 million investment from JPMorganChase and a $280,000 investment from Strada Education Foundation. RCBC will receive $50,000 initially, with the potential to earn up to $100,000 more if it meets certain objectives.
“ƹƵ has always prioritized classroom and hands-on learning to ensure that our students are career-ready for future employers in a rapidly changing economy,” RCBC President Dr. Michael A. Cioce said. “Although we have not yet been able to reach every student and every program with career opportunities, this is a chance to discover meaningful ways to meet our goal of providing all students with real resume experience before they graduate, while meeting the needs of our many employer partners.
“I commend the members of the RCBC team who successfully applied for this grant and thank our friends at Arizona State, JPMorganChase, and the Strada Education Foundation who made this important work possible.”
Several RCBC programs provide real-world experience as part of the curriculum. Within five years, the college aims to offer all students that hands-on experience before they graduate. As part of the grant, the college’s team will work with students and employers this fall to identify workforce needs and current barriers that prevent students from gaining that experience while in college. The grant intends to develop plans to fulfil these needs in ways that can serve as a national model for institutions across the country.
Jarrett Kealey, dean of Advising and Career Preparation and Dr. Taziah Kenney, associate dean of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are leading the RCBC effort along with core team members Dr. Karen Archambault, senior vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Success, Dr. Christopher Gazzara, associate professor of English and Dr. Martin Hoffman, chief information officer.
