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December 19, 2008

Sessions Announces $1.4 Million Grant


Dallas, Texas – U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (R-Dallas) today announced a $1,441,786 Department of Education grant for Mountain View College (MVC) for the STEM Infrastructure program to increase the number of Hispanic and low-income students who attain degrees in the fields of science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM).
 
Sessions was joined by Mountain View College President Felix A. Zamora, Dallas County Community College District Chancellor Dr. Wright Lassiter, U.S. Department of Education Specialist Dr. Patty Crisp, and local education and business leaders for the grant announcement, which took place at a press conference this afternoon on the Mountain View College campus.
 
“STEM development is central to the economic success of North Texas and its residents, and I applaud Mountain View College for its commitment to developing student-centered academic and career development solutions that will help build a brighter future for their students and surrounding community,” said Sessions. “Now with over $1.4 million in federal grants, MVC will have expanded resources to help provide traditionally underserved Hispanic and low-income students with educational resources leading to highly-skilled employment opportunities.”
 
“The STEM Infrastructure program grant will build on other successes at Mountain View College offering career opportunities to residents in southwest Dallas County that are well paying and in critically needed fields,” said President Zamora.   “By building an infrastructure that supports skill development in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), the grant will further strengthen and empower students to either qualify for a program at a four year university or equip students for critical jobs at higher salaries.”
 
Designed by Mountain View College, STEM Infrastructure is a 24-month program to develop science, technology, engineering, and math curricular alignment and student-centered instructional practices that will build the necessary infrastructure to support the recruitment, retention and degree-attainment or university transfer of traditionally underserved Hispanic and low-income students. The STEM program priorities include skill development through tutoring and active learning techniques, course development for applied sciences and STEM career fields, and model transfer and articulation agreements between Mountain View College, the University of North Texas, and the University of Texas at Arlington.
 
The total grant award of $1,441,786 will be dispensed over two years ($661,725 for year one and $780,061 for year two) to Mountain View College as an Individual Development Grant under the U.S. Department of Education’s Hispanic Serving Institutions Program and College Cost Reduction and Access Act Program.
 
“Mountain View College’s grant award is a landmark development for schools and businesses throughout the Oak Cliff community and beyond as MVC leads a renewed emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math. I once again congratulate MVC on receiving this outstanding grant, and I look forward to seeing their continued success through STEM Infrastructure,” Sessions concluded.
 
Mountain View College (MVC) is a part of the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD), which includes seven colleges and one educational telecommunications center. Since 1970, MVC has provided credit courses for associate degrees as well as professional development and workforce programs. Reflecting the diversity of its community, MVC has a student population of over 6,700 and has been designated an Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education.





December 2008 Press Releases