Central Carolina Technical College receives up to $3 Million in Federal Funding

To support minority students pursuing STEM programs

Sumter, S.C. – Central Carolina Technical College has been awarded up to $3 million over the next five years in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) grant program to implement its new Connect 3 project.
CCTC’s Connect 3 project will focus on students pursuing careers in the high-demand fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), and improving educational outcomes for African-American males.

The programs the College has identified as STEM programs are: Associate in Arts, Associate in Science, Associate in General Technology, Associate in Applied Science/Engineering Graphics, and Certificates in Mechatronics Technology and Machining and CNC Technology.
Connect 3 project is based on the following: connecting high school students to higher education by establishing college and career centers at designated high schools, connecting CCTC college students to expanded academic and student support services, and connecting CCTC graduates to career and transfer services to gain employment in their program of study.

CCTC plans to use the grant funding to provide: tutoring for reading, writing, English, math and computer technology courses; lab assistants for Mechatronics Technology and Machining and CNC Technology; installation of Plato Courseware; equipment items for STEM programs; professional development for full-time and adjunct instructors; additional personnel to focus on high school students and expansion of career services. CCTC’s Connect 3 project is one of 23 projects, nationally, to be awarded a PBI grant.