For Immediate Release
09/27/2017

Delta College to Share in $350k Education Grant

(Stockton, CA) The partnership between the Central Valley Higher Education Consortium (CVHEC), which includes San Joaquin Delta College, and Fresno Compact, has been designated as one of 17 national Talent Hub communities by the non-profit Lumina Foundation. Each Talent Hub will share nearly $6 million in grant funds, of which $350k will go to the CVHEC/Fresno Compact Talent Hub.

CVHEC is a non-profit incorporated partnership of 26 public/private colleges, universities and community college districts. CVHEC’s mission is to increase higher education attainment by the people in the Central Valley. Fresno Compact is a 501c3 non-profit that focuses on efforts to prepare students for the increasing demands of society and the workplace by mobilizing business and community support for local K-12 and higher education institutions.

“The Central Valley Higher Education Consortium and Fresno Compact have become effective and valuable partners in providing a pathway for college success and degree attainment for students in the region,” said Dr. Benjamin T. Duran, Executive Director of CVHEC.

Dr. Kathy Hart, Delta College’s Superintendent/President, says, “These grants will support our efforts to increase academic success beyond high school.” Hart, who also serves on the board of CVHEC, emphasizes, “Funding for the CVHEC/Fresno Compact Talent Hub will help decrease education barriers, enabling more underserved students to earn college degrees, industry certifications or other high-quality credentials. These programs are vital if our nation wants to meet the current and future demands for an educated workforce.”

Each Talent Hub will focus on one of three populations, with the goal of raising the nation’s overall post high school attainment level to 60% of working–age adults by 2025:

• 18 – 22 year old students
• Older adults with college experience who stopped their studies
• Adults with no formal education beyond high school

The Lumina and Kresge Foundations will provide funding for the Talent Hub communities. The Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all.  Lumina’s goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship, and for success in a global economy.

The Kresge Foundation is a $3.5 billion private national foundation that works to expand opportunities in America’s cities through grant making. The foundation focuses on strengthening urban higher education ecosystem to help low-income, under-represented and minority students gain access to higher education.

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