REP. MIKE THOMPSON ANNOUNCES $2.65 MILLION GRANT FOR SANTA ROSA JUNIOR COLLEGE

August 22, 2014
Press Release

WASHINGTON D.C. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) today announced a $2.65 million U.S. Department of Education (ED) grant for Santa Rosa Junior College. The grant was awarded under the Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program.

"Everyone, no matter who you are or where you're from should have the opportunity to receive a quality education," said Thompson. "These important funds will support Santa Rosa Junior College's ongoing efforts to increase the education opportunities available to our community's Hispanic population. I am a proud supporter of this program, and I will continue working to make sure our district's colleges and universities have the resources they need to prepare our students for successful careers."

"This is a transformational moment not only for SRJC but for the entire community," said Dr. Frank Chong, President and Superintendent of Santa Rosa Junior College. "We eagerly welcome the grant and what we will be able to achieve with the additional resources to serve the unique needs of the Latino community in Sonoma County and the North Bay."

The purpose of the HSI program is to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the academic attainment of, Hispanic students, and to expand and enhance the academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability of colleges and universities that are educating the majority of Hispanic college students.

In an effort to increase academic opportunity and attainment for Hispanic and low-income students Santa Rosa Junior College is introducing the Multi-cultural Education Transfer Acceleration or Meta4 Program. This grant will support the Meta4 Program.

Meta4 will meet four specific goals:

  • Increase access, retention, and degree or certificate completion for Hispanic and low-income students;
  • Increase the number of Hispanic English Learners students enrolling in, and successfully complete, transfer-level composition courses;
  • Provide Hispanic and low-income students access to new technology advising and planning tools to increase their academic success, retention and graduation rates; and
  • Improve the transition and continuing success of Hispanic and low-income students to the demands of college with an emphasis on improving student support and academic success.

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California's 5th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma Counties. He is a senior member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Rep. Thompson is also a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition and chairs the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus.

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Issues:Education