Grants, Press Releases

GlaxoSmithKline Foundation Grant to Help Increase Retention

Nash Community College (NCC) plans to increase student enrollment rates for associate degree programs using a $25,000 Ribbon of Hope grant from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation. The grant will fund scholarships for eligible GED recipients to attend a course that provides orientation to campus resources and tools for academic success. Students receive one college credit to begin their college educational journey. Nationally, the majority of GED graduates do not move into college level courses and degree programs. This grant is one initiative to increase the number of two year degree graduates at Nash Community College.

A partnership between the NCC Basic Skills Lab, Men Achieving Leadership and Excellence (M.A.L.E.) Initiative and the Nash-Rocky Mount Public School Early High College High School will create an incubator to retain students and move them into two year degree programs. “Our goal is for these students to obtain college credit toward their degree and provide a motivational tool to encourage them to complete their educational goals,” NCC Associate Vice President of Community & Governmental Affairs Dr. Keith Smith said. “Additionally, we will have the resources to continue addressing the minority male retention problem in higher education.”

Since 2008, the NC GlaxoSmithKline Foundation has awarded 84 grants to nonprofits across the state under the Ribbon of Hope program. As part of the grant, recipients also receive customized consulting services and technical assistance from the North Carolina Center for Nonprofits. The goal of the Ribbon of Hope program, which offers one-time $25,000 grants, is to have a positive impact on the lives of North Carolina’s citizens in each of the state’s 100 counties by supporting programs that further health, science and education in local communities.

Based in Research Triangle Park, the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation supports programs that promote the sciences, health, and education. Since its creation in 1986, the Foundation has granted $58.4 million to support North Carolina projects and programs that meet the educational needs of today’s society and of future generations. Follow us on Twitter @NCGSKFound.

Cutline: NC GSK Board President Margaret Dardess presents a $25,000 Ribbon of Hope grant from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation to NCC Vice President for Instruction and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Trent Mohrbutter and NCC Associate Vice President of Community and Governmental Affairs Dr. Keith Smith.