New Jersey City University has been selected to receive up to $3 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Education under its Fiscal Year 2024 grants to support the Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans Program (PPOHA).
The $600,000 grant will be for the budget period spanning Oct. 1, 2024 through September 3, 2025 and is anticipated to be active for five total years at this funding level.
During a check presentation ceremony on campus as Congressman Rob Menendez and Congresswoman LaMonica McIver joined NJCU Interim President Andrés Acebo and other academic leaders.
The grant submission was authored by Muriel Rand, NJCU Professor in the Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Social Work, in collaboration with the Office of Research Grants & Sponsored Programs. The grant will support “The Professional Pathways Project” which is designed to help students attain graduate professional degrees and meet their career goals, enabling more Hispanic and low-income students to become professionals and faculty in higher education.
“I can’t think of a better way to culminate Hispanic Heritage Month than to celebrate this award. The grant is an investment in our mission, of course, and is also an investment in our city, state and nation,” President Acebo said.
As an immediate outcome of the grant, NJCU will create a new Master of Social Work degree. In line with NJCU’s refreshed mission, this is a vital addition to the university’s academic portfolio because New Jersey, like the rest of the nation, is facing challenges related to a workforce shortage in its critical social services and behavioral health sectors.
An additional early outcome of the grant will be new micro credential in Multicultural/Multilingual Services, and the enhancement of the curriculum in the Educational Technology Leadership doctoral program and Doctor of Science in Civil Security Leadership, Management & Policy program to be more culturally responsive, inclusive, and flexible.
Another measurable outcome of this project is the increased retention of Hispanic and low-income students through the creation of an Advocacy, Inclusion, and Support Team that will provide direct services to students and will implement faculty learning opportunities focused on culturally responsive, inclusive, and asset-based practices.
