KNOXVILLE — One million dollars in funds was awarded to Pellissippi State Community College Monday, September 29 to integrate new educational and career training strategies for students with disabilities.

“All of our students deserve an equal opportunity to learn,” said L. Anthony Wise Jr., Pellissippi State president. “This grant, the Universal Pathways to Employment Project, will help us deliver integrated education and career training to students with disabilities.”

The Universal Pathways to Employment Project grant was awarded through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy. The award is renewable for the next five years, for up to $5,199,269. Vice President Joe Biden announced the grant as part of a $450 million job-training initiative, jointly administered by the federal departments of Labor and Education, to fund programs at roughly 270 community colleges across the country.

At Pellissippi State, the funds will be used to coordinate and expand academic and career support services, expand partnerships with local school systems and employers, and assist student with disabilities in obtaining assistance—both at the college and in outside systems like public transportation or housing.

The grant also will be used to employ new staff to handle the funds and support services, as well as to train faculty and staff in support for students with disabilities.

“This grant puts the needed supports in place for students with disabilities,” said Ann Satkowiak, director of Disability Services. “We’ll work to identify any potential barriers to graduation that exist for students with disabilities, which could include improving accommodations or making programs and courses more accessible.”

Funding, grants, and scholarships at Pellissippi State are managed by the Pellissippi State Foundation. The Foundation works to provide student scholarships and emergency loans as well as to improve facilities and secure new equipment. For more information about the Foundation, visit www.pstcc.edu/foundation or call (865) 694-6528.

Published October 1, 2014