April 4, 2012
ImPACT funding helps increase college and university access for underrepresented
SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah System of Higher Education (USHE) is pleased to announce the 2012 recipients for the ImPACT (Improving Preparation, Access & Communities Together) Subgrant. These subgrants are funded by a grant received by the Board of Regents from the U.S. Department of Education. Its efforts aim to increase the number of low-income and underrepresented students who are prepared to enter and succeed in postsecondary education by fostering and supporting programs and partnerships with institutions of higher education. This year, 10 projects have been awarded to eight institutions, seven of which are USHE colleges and universities.
Through the ImPACT Subgrant, Utah’s colleges and universities are funded to establish “access and outreach” programs to strengthen or encourage collaborations between higher education, K-12 schools and communities. Applicants were asked to submit for one of three grant levels including planning, startup, or expansion in order to promote higher education to groups of students who may not necessarily consider postsecondary education an option. A selection committee comprised of USHE staff, institution, and community representatives have approved and funded the following proposals:
| Institution | Department | Program | Grant Type |
| Salt Lake Community College | School Relations | SLCC/Horizonte College Access Scholars Program | Expansion Grant |
| Snow College | Office of Admissions & Communication | Smart Choices | Expansion Grant |
| University of Utah | College of Education | Adelante: A College Awareness and Preparatory Partnership | Expansion Grant |
| University of Utah | Office of Equity & Diversity | Diversity Scholars Transfer Initiative | Startup Grant |
| University of Utah & Dixie State College | Continuing Education & Advisement | Utah College Advising Corps in Washington County | Expansion Grant |
| Utah State University | Teacher Education and Leadership | College PASS Initiative | Startup Grant |
| Utah Valley University | Student Affairs & Enrollment Management | Educational Leadership Program | Startup Grant |
| Weber State University | Education Access & Outreach | Creating a Pathway to College | Expansion Grant |
| Weber State University | Continuing Education | The Gateway Center and El Grito De La Prosperidad (The Cry for Prosperity) | Startup Grant |
Westminster College also received an Expansion Grant for their Westminster College Access Summer Camp.
The Board of Regents was originally designated in 2008 by Governor Huntsman and then again in 2010 by Governor Herbert, as the state agency to apply and receive the College Access Challenge Grant Program (CACG) from the U.S. Department of Education. The CACG, is a formula grant and was created and funded as part of the College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007, and was extended two years ago through the Healthcare and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act with the purpose of helping low-income student and families learn about, prepare for, and finance postsecondary education.
About The Utah System of Higher Education: USHE includes all of Utah’s eight public colleges and universities: The University of Utah, Utah State University, Weber State University, Southern Utah University, Snow College, Dixie State College, Utah Valley University and Salt Lake Community College. For more information on the Utah System of Higher Education, visit our website at http://www.higheredutah.org.
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To download .pdf of this news release, click here.
Posted by: psilberman
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