MCC garners Women’s Foundation of Mississippi grant
Meridian Community College staffers LaShundra Grady, support services coordinator,
left, and Kimberly Rush, director of advising and retention, will be working with
The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi grant that is earmarked for MCC two-generation
students.
Meridian Community College has received a $25,000 grant from The Women’s Foundation
of Mississippi for a new program, Connect2MCC, geared to help female two-generation
students.
The Women’s Foundation of Mississippi is a public grant-making foundation focused on funding programs that support women and girls across the state.
Kimberly Rush, MCC director of advising and retention, said the idea for the Connect2MCC program was generated after seeing studies showing the need for students to have paraprofessional mentors. “There are many resources, at MCC and in Meridian and Lauderdale County, that those students may not be aware of,” said Rush. Having a mentor who can advise and break down barriers can help students succeed.
The year-long grant is earmarked for female students who are supporting a child. Rush explained participating students will be expected to do monthly online sessions. “These are geared on healthy relationships, financial literacy, being able to balance work, life, school, all those things,” she said.
Students will also check in with the mentor, LaShundra Grady, MCC support services coordinator, once a month. After successfully completing this for a semester, they will be given a stipend of $250, and for maintaining a 2.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale, they will be gifted a laptop as a part of the grant.
Connect2MCC will continue through Nov. 30.