The Roanoke Higher Education Center (RHEC) has received a $75,000 grant from the American Electric Power Foundation as part of the “Social and Racial Equity: Diversity in Partnerships” initiative. This partnership creates opportunities for educational access and job training throughout the Roanoke Valley. Funding will support scholarships for need-based minority students; new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training for area businesses; and a new summer math camp for 50 low-income students.
The scholarships will open doors to career advancement by offering access to new job skills, training, and certification programs. Adult learners are often trying to juggle home responsibilities, work, and family life, and need financial assistance to attend college. Scholarship funds will support tuition, certification fees, and assistance with books or technology.
Additionally, the RHEC plans to offer DEI training to area businesses and industries. Educating the workforce is crucial to building a safe and equitable workspace for all employees. Workshops will create awareness of unconscious bias, cultural competence, or other barriers to DEI. Participants will come away with tools and techniques that address affirmative DEI practices for the workplace.
The RHEC will also offer a new summer math camp for 50 low-income students in grades 1-7. Studies indicate that many students have difficulty retaining math concepts during the summer months. Due to the pandemic, students may need academic strengthening to get back up to speed. The camp will address these skills gaps by offering a four-week summer math enrichment camp at no charge.
With these new opportunities, the RHEC is demonstrating its commitment to social and racial equity, providing educational opportunities to all, and serving first-generation, low-income, and minority students.
The new grant builds upon the partnership started last year with initial funding of $50,000. These funds provided awards to the first class of scholarship recipients and supported a partnership with Virginia State University, a Historically Black College and University.
