Press Releases
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) announced today Somerset Community College (SCC) received a total of $2,236,481 over five years from the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program.
Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers contacted U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in support of SCC’s competitive federal grant application for its “Raising Appalachia: Innovative Student Engagement (RAISE)” initiative. SCC plans to use the federal funding to create a learning commons for increased campus-wide engagement, to establish learning centers for faculty professional development and peer mentoring, and to implement a college navigator program for student success coaching.
“Somerset Community College has a strong record of educational development and student success. With my friend Congressman Rogers, I am proud to support its transformative work for Kentucky students,” said Senator McConnell. “As the only one of the four congressional leaders not from New York or California, it’s my job to look out for Middle America and my favorite state, Kentucky. I’m constantly looking for opportunities to draw national attention to Kentucky and to deliver for families and workers. It was a privilege to support Dr. Castle and the SCC team as they help students fulfill their potential.”
“The vast majority of our students in rural Kentucky no longer have to leave their beloved hometowns to get a college degree and pursue their dream jobs, thanks to the incredible progress taking place at educational institutions, like Somerset Community College,” said Congressman Rogers. “I was proud to work with my friend Senator McConnell to help secure this monumental grant for SCC, which will help prepare students in our rural Appalachian region for greater educational and career opportunities. The Somerset campus is now home to the University Center of Southern Kentucky, providing a seamless transition for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, education, criminal justice, political science, business administration, accounting, information technology, and much more. This grant effectively gives our best and brightest students the tools they need to use their talents right here at home, making southern and eastern Kentucky a better place to live for future generations.”
“Words cannot express the importance of this grant,” said Dr. Carey W. Castle, President/CEO of Somerset Community College. “It will change the lives of our students, faculty, and staff and I am grateful to Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for helping make this happen. At Somerset Community College, we are serious about making sure all our students have the opportunity and the support they need to reach their academic and career goals. This grant will be a catalyst to helping achieve student success.”
Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers contacted U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in support of SCC’s competitive federal grant application for its “Raising Appalachia: Innovative Student Engagement (RAISE)” initiative. SCC plans to use the federal funding to create a learning commons for increased campus-wide engagement, to establish learning centers for faculty professional development and peer mentoring, and to implement a college navigator program for student success coaching.
“Somerset Community College has a strong record of educational development and student success. With my friend Congressman Rogers, I am proud to support its transformative work for Kentucky students,” said Senator McConnell. “As the only one of the four congressional leaders not from New York or California, it’s my job to look out for Middle America and my favorite state, Kentucky. I’m constantly looking for opportunities to draw national attention to Kentucky and to deliver for families and workers. It was a privilege to support Dr. Castle and the SCC team as they help students fulfill their potential.”
“The vast majority of our students in rural Kentucky no longer have to leave their beloved hometowns to get a college degree and pursue their dream jobs, thanks to the incredible progress taking place at educational institutions, like Somerset Community College,” said Congressman Rogers. “I was proud to work with my friend Senator McConnell to help secure this monumental grant for SCC, which will help prepare students in our rural Appalachian region for greater educational and career opportunities. The Somerset campus is now home to the University Center of Southern Kentucky, providing a seamless transition for students who want to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing, education, criminal justice, political science, business administration, accounting, information technology, and much more. This grant effectively gives our best and brightest students the tools they need to use their talents right here at home, making southern and eastern Kentucky a better place to live for future generations.”
“Words cannot express the importance of this grant,” said Dr. Carey W. Castle, President/CEO of Somerset Community College. “It will change the lives of our students, faculty, and staff and I am grateful to Senator McConnell and Congressman Rogers for helping make this happen. At Somerset Community College, we are serious about making sure all our students have the opportunity and the support they need to reach their academic and career goals. This grant will be a catalyst to helping achieve student success.”