Harford Community College awarded Perkins formula funding for career and technical education

Tony Roberts, The Aegis, Bel Air, Md.
·1 min read

Aug. 16—The Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Career and College Readiness, awarded Harford Community College $243,252 in funding under the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act of 2018, also referred to as Perkins V.

"We are thrilled to have the support from the Maryland State Department of Education Division of Career and College Readiness to provide our students with the tools and support needed to help them be successful," said Theresa B. Felder, president of HCC. "This funding will open the door to countless new opportunities for our nontraditional students. The new programs, classes and lab equipment funded through the grant will help our students acquire the skills they need to find employment in today's competitive job market."

Perkins V offers states and local education agencies a framework to create equity within career and technical education. Marginalized communities and underrepresented student groups are the focus of the funding within community colleges' existing or anticipated career and technical education programs.

Harford Community College will use Perkins funding to upgrade laboratory equipment and software, expand course offerings, add classes to the Edgewood area, create and implement a "Women in STEM" career and technical success program. HCC will also use the funding to provide college and career navigation, integrate soft skills into computer programming coursework and increase the number of nontraditional students enrolling in and completing early childhood education and paraeducation programs.

Harford's business and applied technology division will be leading this program implementation enhancing career and technical education pathways at HCC.