Project Success students celebrate graduation

College is a challenge for all students, but especially for those who are the first in their family to pursue higher education. Project Success at MCC-Penn Valley is a Student Support Services TRIO program whose services include: tutoring, counseling, transfer assistance and cultural assistance. The program recently hosted a celebration for graduating students.

Project Success, run by Toni Alexander, is open to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students, and is designed to increase retention and graduation rates as well as assist with transferring to four year colleges.

Project Success Director Toni Alexander (white jacket) proudly presents a certificate of completion to Jajuan Turner.

Family members beam with pride at the celebration.

Venesha Reed prepares to go to the next level, thanks to the support of Project Success and Penn Valley.

Penn Valley hosts successful financial literacy week!

A lucky Penn Valley student (left) is all smiles as she carts off her winning bag from Commerce Bank.

Students, staff and faculty sharpened their money skills during financial literacy week at MCC-Penn Valley. Nearly 140 students attended five financial literacy events throughout the week. In fact, roughly 75 students attended the Banking and Savings Fair on April 19.

Financial institutions from the area shared money savvy tips with Penn Valley students.

Nearly 40 prizes were awarded to students who attended the events. Employees were also invited to participate by answering questions about financial articles sent to them via email throughout the week. For answering the questions correctly, Project Success Academic Advisor Gieselle Deng won a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

Gieselle Deng showed off her financial know how and scored the winning prize, $50 savings bond.

Here's to a financially savvy Penn Valley!

MCC-Penn Valley celebrates National TRIO Day

College is a challenging time for students as they work to achieve their goals and improve their lives. The experience can be especially difficult for students who are the first in their families to attend college.

Project Success at MCC-Penn Valley is a Student Support Services TRIO program whose services include: tutoring, counseling, transfer assistance and cultural assistance. Project Success, run by Toni Alexander, is open to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students, and is designed to increase retention and graduation rates as well as assist with transferring to four year colleges.

The program recently participated in National TRIO Day by hosting a breakfast that featured a panel discussion on "Retention, Graduation, Transfer: Student Support Services TRIO's Role in All of It." English Instructor Lisa Spaulding served as moderator. Student panelists included: Vera Campbell-Adams, Stephanie Carrillo, Dianna Izaula, Darryl Norton, Rachel Pulluaim and JuJuan Turner.

National TRIO Day is a day of celebration, reflection and action around increased access to higher education for disadvantaged students.

"In many communities throughout America, the TRIO Programs are the only programs that help low-income Americans to enter college, graduate and move on to participate more fully in America's economic and social life," Arnold Mitchem, president of the Council for Opportunity in Education.

Project Success host women's conference

Students in the Project Success program hosted a women's conference on Oct. 22 at MCC-Penn Valley. The conference celebrated the strength of women and encouraged female students to stay committed during their academic journey.

The program featured a poem entitled "A Strong Woman" that summed up the purpose of the conference:

"A strong woman
is one who feels deeply
and loves fiercely.
Her tears flow
just as abundantly
as her laughter.

A strong woman
Is both soft and powerful.
She is both
practical and spiritual.

A strong woman
In her essence
is a gift to all the world."

MCC-Penn Valley's Project Success receives nod for federal funding renewal!

The Project Success staff is all smiles after receiving renewal for program funding from the U.S. Department of Education.

The U.S. Department of Education recently informed MCC-Penn Valley that its Project Success program has been selected for approval to renew funding of $376,223 for one year. The notice also mentioned that it's anticipated that the grant will be for a total of five years.

Project Success is a Student Support Services TRIO program whose services include: tutoring, counseling, transfer assistance and cultural assistance. The program, run by Toni Alexander, is open to low-income, first-generation or disabled college students, and is designed to increase retention and graduation rates as well as assist with transferring to four year colleges.