SCC Prison Education Program Awarded Lowe's Gable Grant
The Lowe’s Foundation awarded $470,000 to Southeast Community College as part of the 2024 cohort receiving Gable Grants. Overall, nearly $8 million was awarded to 11 community colleges. The grant will enable SCC to enhance its Prison Education Program.
“We are honored and greatly appreciative to have been awarded the Lowe’s Foundation Gable Grant to expand Southeast Community College’s Prison Education Program,” said Dr. Paul Illich, SCC president. “I believe this new grant program will serve as a catalyst for changing lives positively and enhancing our communities for generations.”
The grant will expand the UPWARD prison education program at SCC to include construction, electrical/electromechanical, HVAC and plumbing at the Nebraska State Penitentiary location. Participants will have the chance to earn credentials in multiple career programs and return to their communities empowered to join the workforce with the skills necessary to succeed.
“This tremendous grant opportunity is in direct alignment with the College’s vision to work collaboratively and courageously with our partners to address Nebraska’s skilled worker shortage and to ensure everyone within our communities has affordable access to the life-changing benefits of higher education,” said Illich.
Since awarding its first grants one year ago, the foundation has assisted in expanding skilled trades career pathways through its growing network of 35 community colleges and nonprofits in rural and urban communities across 27 states. The nearly $8 million investment is part of the Lowe’s Foundation’s five-year, $50 million commitment to support the training of 50,000 people for skilled trades careers.
"With enrollments rising at vocationally focused schools, these community colleges are blossoming arenas for entrepreneurship and economic mobility," said Janice Dupré, Lowe's executive vice president of human resources and chair of the Lowe's Foundation. "Each college has a clear, inspired vision for closing the trades gap in its community, and we're pleased to welcome them to our larger movement."
SCC is joined by Baton Rouge Community College, Central Maine Community College, Central Piedmont Community College, Community College of Baltimore County, Maricopa Community Colleges Foundation and Maricopa County Community College District, Midlands Technical College, Mountwest Community and Technical College, Valencia College, Wilkes Community College, and Wiregrass Georgia Technical College as the 2024 Gable Grant recipients.
Jennifer Snyder
Communications Specialist
402-323-3393
jsnyder@southeast.edu