Saint Peter’s College Awarded $2.8 Million Federal Grant

Saint Peter’s College in Jersey City, a federally designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), has been awarded a Title V federal grant for up to $2,860,143 under the HSI Program, which provides grants to assist HSIs with their efforts to expand and enhance academic offerings, program quality and institutional stability for Hispanic students, in addition to improving the attainment of Hispanic students. For this fiscal year, 2010-11, the grant will provide the college with around $600,000.

“The college’s dedication to the Hispanic community is demonstrated on many levels. All of our efforts stem from the Jesuit identity of Saint Peter’s, including the tradition of cura personalis –seeing each person as an individual and offering a well-rounded education. We are proud of our strong commitment to the Hispanic community and look forward to continuing that dedication in the future,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s.

According to the grant abstract, the college will, during the next five years:

• Establish a Center for English Language Learning (ELL)/English as a Second Language (ESL) in order to strengthen the skills of new English speakers.
• Develop and coordinate activities tailored to the unique strengths and needs of low-income and minority students.
• Provide faculty and staff development to enhance cultural competency and pedagogy.
• Conduct of a summer student research program.
• Increase community outreach involving local high schools. Saint Peter’s will expand successful high school programs designed to foster and support educational aspirations for the ethnically diverse students in Jersey City’s urban school district.
• Provide technology enhancements to support student learning. [Saint Peter’s College]