Jersey City, N.J. – October 22, 2021 – Saint Peter’s University announced that it has been awarded a $2.9 million Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program grant from the U.S. Department of Education for a project titled Ensuring Success for the New Majority Student. The grant is designed to address the growing needs of diverse learners by improving flexible and affordable opportunities through online learning.
“This grant will accelerate our success in offering students flexible options that accommodate differing needs,” said Frederick Bonato, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs at Saint Peter’s. “High-quality face-to-face, hybrid and fully online options will allow us to serve all students as they pursue their own individual career aspirations.”
The new majority refers to the preponderance of students in the United States pursuing higher education as adult learners, first-generation college students, low-income students and/or students of color. Two of the most significant needs of this diverse population are affordable cost and opportunities for flexible, alternate course delivery.
To address these needs, the Title V grant will create a new infrastructure to increase distance education offerings at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, build an instructional design and media center and writing studio with state-of-the-art technology for virtual learning, expand academic and career support for online students, increase faculty and staff professional development in online pedagogy and cultural competency and widen access to open education resources (OER). Nicole DeCapua Rinck, Ed.D., assistant vice president for academic affairs, will serve as the grant director.
“I am convinced that this grant will be a game-changer for Saint Peter’s and our students,” said Eugene J. Cornacchia, Ph.D., president of Saint Peter’s University. “The Title V resources will enhance institutional agility to respond to the evolving needs and expectations of students and support future enrollment in both undergraduate and graduate programs.”
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For 150 years, Saint Peter’s University, inspired by its Jesuit, Catholic identity, commitment to individual attention and grounding in the liberal arts, educates a diverse community of learners in undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional programs to excel intellectually, lead ethically, serve compassionately and promote justice in our ever-changing urban and global environment. To learn more, please visit saintpeters.edu.
Media Contact
Angeline Boyer
(201) 761-6238
aboyer1@saintpeters.edu