Co-Lin receives $40K women's foundation grant to support students

The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi has announced that Copiah-Lincoln Community College is the recipient of the Bower Scholars Health Care Grant in the amount of $40,000. The funds will be used for a new initiative to help support Co-Lin students, the Helping Healthcare Wolves to Workforce Success Program.

The goal of Helping Healthcare Wolves to Workforce Success Program is to help increase access to quality healthcare in our community by training and graduating nursing and auxiliary medical program students while alleviating financial barriers.

“When faculty, directors, and counselors speak with students about challenges for completing a degree/credential, many times the underlying issue is financial,” said Co-Lin Dean of Academic Instruction Dr. Stephanie Duguid.

Grant funding will potentially assist nursing and auxiliary medical program students on all three campuses including Associate Degree Nursing, Practical Nursing, Medical Laboratory Technology, EMT/Paramedic, Medical Radiologic Technology, and Respiratory Care Technology. The target population for assistance is nursing and related auxiliary medical programs with a focus on women, but men can apply as well.

Using an application process, Co-Lin will make sure that each student has a valid financial need, provides supporting documentation, and shares how the funds will positively impact them. The student must be in good standing with the college to receive financial support. The program will begin with the Fall 2022 semester. Students will be able to apply for financial assistance such as stipends for program fees, books/supplies, uniforms, exam vouchers (for example: NCLEX), and in some cases childcare, transportation, gas, and utilities. We feel this opportunity will support many students toward reaching their goals but do know that there will be a limit on monetary resources available. Through planning and financial literacy guidance, the long-term goal is to encourage and prepare students for independence and success.

CUTLINE: On hand for the grant presentation were from left, Co-Lin Dean of Academic Instruction Dr. Stephanie Duguid; Women’s Foundation of Mississippi Director of Grants Programming Latisha Latiker; and Co-Lin President Dr. Jane Hulon Sims. Photo by Scarlett Hart, Co-Lin Public Relations.