Sterling College

Sterling College recently received a Strengthening Institutions Development Grant from the United States Department of Education in the amount of $363,411. The grant is renewable for five years, making it potentially worth $1,754,675.

"We are very pleased to have received this grant this year," stated Sterling College President Al Anderson. "This grant will assist us as we continually strive to improve our academic programs in order to equip young men and women for service in today's world."

Sterling College began pursuing this particular grant under former President Ed Johnson. In order to apply for the grant, the College first had to prove they were eligible to receive the grant.

"In order to even receive an application for the grant, we had to prove that we had a high percentage of students receiving financial aid and a lower-than-average operation cost based on our student population," said Troy Peters, a faculty member in SC's education department who oversaw the grant process this past year.

In order to prove they were eligible, the College was required to draft a comprehensive development plan in which improvement needs in academic programs, fiscal stablity and institutional management were identified.

The plan identifed 14 areas that need improvement; 11 of those areas will be addressed with these grant monies.

During the first year with this grant, which starts October 1, the College will focus on the teacher education department. Any program or academic department that trains elementary and secondary teachers will see benefits of the grant through curricular redevelopment to include up-to-date technology, the development of new and innovative teaching practices, and the weaving of servant leadership and social entrepreneurship throughout every aspect of the curriculum.

"The teacher education program impacts the majority of our students and was one of the reasons we were able to secure the grant," said Peters. "In the years following, we will focus on science, computer science and business, and the possibility of developing master's level programs."

The College can apply for a renewal of funds for four more years, creating a grant total of $1,754,675.

"As long as we meet our objectives each year that are stated in the comprehensive development plan, we can re-apply for continued funding on a non-competitive basis," stated Peters.

Fund totals for subsequent years are as follows: year two: $365,000; year three: $362,837; year four: $361,491; year five: $301,936. One hundred percent of the grant monies will be financed with federal money; no part of the grant will be financed by non-governmental sources.

The Strengthening Institutions Development Grant is part of the Title III Higher Education Act of 1965. The Higher Education Act of 1965 was designed to help higher education institutions improve their programs, which, in turn, would assist in placing higher qualified individuals in the work force.