Accelerate Faculty

Alverno College has earned a College Ready continuation grant from Great Lakes Higher Education Guaranty Corporation, thanks to the impressive success of the Girls' Advanced Academy of Science and Mathematics program last year. A $92,876 grant will help the Girls' Advanced Academy enhance its efforts and help even more students prepare to pass college-level courses.

There is an undeniable link between academic preparation and college completion. When students are underprepared for the rigors of college education, they need remedial courses to help bridge the gap. But these are essentially high school-level classes at college prices, and too many students become discouraged and leave college without graduating. In fact, of the 60 percent of community college students who are required take remedial classes, only one in four ever completes their degree or certificate.

Alverno College is driven to make a difference, and was one of 11 programs invited by Great Lakes to build upon their success offering extracurricular academic support that helps students prepare for the rigors of college-level courses. During the 2014-2015 academic year, the Girls' Advanced Academy will continue to motivate and prepare low-income, first-generation, minority girls for success in college in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.

“Moving students toward greater opportunity in life benefits us all," said Richard D. George, Great Lakes' president and chief executive officer. “We fund programs that understand the root cause of what holds students back, and take bold steps to overcome these obstacles. We look forward to seeing the impact Alverno can have on helping more students graduate and achieve their full potential.”

“With this second College Ready grant, Alverno can continue to help high school girls maximize their potential and love for science,” said Justin LaManna, assistant professor of Biology and co-founder of the Girls' Advanced Academy. “We provide high school girls the opportunity to really get engaged in applied science, and they truly enjoy their experience.”

Alverno's Girls' Advanced Academy received a Great Lakes College Ready grant in May 2013. Under that grant, 38 high school juniors enrolled in the program and gained valuable hands-on, project-based experience focusing on math, chemistry and biology. Girls' Advanced Academy will continue to improve academic performance by tracking - and increasing - ACT scores and specifically ACT Science Reasoning scores.

Great Lakes College Ready continuation grants, totaling $2.1 million, were awarded to colleges and community-based organizations across Minnesota and Wisconsin. About 2,800 students from low-income households, students of color, and students who are first in their families to attend college will get extra academic support during the 2014-2015 academic year. This grant is just one way Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation & Affiliates works to achieve its goal of helping more students benefit from their investment in higher education, and graduate ready to reach their full potential.