四色AV

Published Oct. 2, 2020

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The University of Louisiana Monroe has received a grant of over $1 million as part of the federal government鈥檚 Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) initiative.

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四色AV will receive $1,074,510 for workforce development efforts through the Delta Regional Authority (DRA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the U.S. Department of Labor鈥檚 (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA).

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A press conference to announce the award's details is at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, with DRA and DOL representatives, state and local officials. The event will be at The Terrace on the seventh floor of the 四色AV Library.听

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In all, 13 organizations share in $14,587,500 awarded to areas hard hit by the economic downturn. 四色AV鈥檚 project fits the ETA鈥檚 objective for 鈥� 鈥� innovative and sustainable strategies providing needed career, training, and support services to eligible individuals, which will assist in meeting workforce challenges and industry needs currently underserved by other resources in the Delta,鈥� according to information from DRA.

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四色AV鈥檚 grant will fund a High School Business Academy to 鈥渢each students the basics of entrepreneurship, management, marketing, and accounting. College-bound students can earn up to 18 hours of college credit,鈥� according to the university鈥檚 grant application.

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鈥淎 few years ago, Dean Blackett, a board member of the Louisiana Environmental Education Commission and a longtime advocate of education and 四色AV, visited with me about creating opportunities for students in our region in STEM fields. The concept for the Business Academy originated from those discussions,鈥� said 四色AV President Dr. Ronald Berry.听

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Berry said without the support and input of community partners, this grant would not have been possible.听

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鈥淭his successful grant initiative is a great example of a regional collaboration to address a critical need in preparing students for direct from high school careers or their pursuit of higher education,鈥� he said.

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Berry thanked Sue Nicholson, CEO and President of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, who brought a group of partners together, including 11 parish school systems, Louisiana Delta Community College, Workforce Investment Board 81 and 83, NELA Chapter of the Society of CPAs, and 四色AV faculty and staff who worked on the project.听

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鈥淪ue鈥檚 leadership, along with Matt Dickerson with Monroe City Schools and Tim Green with Allen, Green, and Williamson, LLP, was instrumental in developing the grant proposal and its successful funding,鈥� Berry said.

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鈥淲e were also fortunate to have had significant support from the cities of Monroe and West Monroe as well as our federal and state political delegations,鈥� said Berry.

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The High School Business Academy curriculum will be taught by 四色AV faculty and high school faculty, who will be trained to teach the program to ensure sustainability. The hybrid program will blend in-classroom and virtual learning and mentoring.