Edmonds Community College News
Edmonds CC President Joins College Spark Washington
Release Date: April 13th, 2012
Edmonds Community College President Dr. Jean Hernandez is a trustee of College Spark Washington.
News via College Spark Washington:
College Spark Washington announces nearly $1 million in grants; elects new business and education leaders to board of trustees
College Spark Washington, a private foundation located in Seattle, announced grants totaling $948,277 to 12 organizations across Washington to support college readiness and retention for low-income students.
The transition between high school and college can be challenging for any student but is especially difficult for low-income students. Research shows that one out of five low-income students is prepared for college level work compared with over half of middle and upper-income students. And even when a low-income student gets into college, he or she is six times less likely to earn a bachelor’s degree than a more affluent peer.
“These 12 grantees represent the most promising college readiness and degree completion projects from nearly 50 applicants to the Community Grants Program,” says Gus Kravas, Chair of the College Spark Washington Board of Trustees.
Since 2005, College Spark Washington has granted more than $31 million throughout Washington state, with nearly $11 million directed to the annual Community Grants Program.
The foundation also announced the election of three new trustees: Trevor Greene, Principal of Toppenish High School, Dr. Jean Hernandez, President of Edmonds Community College, and Bob Gilb, a former Microsoft executive and Captaris Corporation board member, now retired.
“We are pleased to have three distinguished education and business leaders join the College Spark Board of Trustees. Each of these leaders brings a unique set of skills and knowledge that will benefit the foundation’s work and mission. I look forward to accomplishing great things with them,” says Kravas.
“I also want to thank Charles Riley and Richard Rutkowski for their many years of service to College Spark Washington and their dedication to ensuring higher education access and success for Washington’s low-income students.”
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College Spark Washington funds programs across Washington state that help low-income students become college-ready and earn their degrees. Grantees include community-based organizations, K-12 schools and districts, community and technical colleges, four-year colleges and universities, educational nonprofits, and public agencies. College Spark began supporting access to higher education in 1978 by managing student loan programs. In 2004, the loan operations were sold and an endowment created supporting its grant-making mission.
More information about College Spark Washington’s Community Grants Program can be found at http://www.collegespark.org/page/44/Community+Grants+Program.
Find out more
Phone: Call Mary Beth Lambert at 206.282.4528
