Pima Community College has received a $3 million grant over the next five years to help Hispanic and other low-income students obtain college degrees online. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Education.
47% of students enrolled in Pima Community College in spring 2023 were of Hispanic or Latino descent. Officials say the five-year grant would help the college develop and expand online student support to include academic coaching and virtual engagement.
Jacqie Allen is the college’s director of online student success.
“We also have a new program that we’re wanting to include to build communities within a virtual environment so looking at how can students talk to each other outside of the classroom in the digital era, in a digital environment," she said.
Michael Amick is the college’s vice president of distance education.
“The primary focus is to increase the success rates in courses for the students that are taking online learning," he said.
The grant will also fund the development of online faculty and support staff.
