CCSJ receives federal grant to support graduate students

Calumet College of St. Joseph has been awarded a $3 million federal grant to support Hispanic and low-income graduate students, the office of U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan, D-Highland, announced this week.

CCSJ will receive the federal funds over five years to implement its "Camino al Éxito: A GPS for Hispanic Student Success" program, which seeks to expand opportunities for Latino and low-income students in graduate programs and connect them to postgraduate opportunities by creating initiatives that'll focus on preparation, enrollment, and support services for students.

The grant is under the U.S. Department of Education’s Promoting Postbaccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans (PPOHA) program,

According to the department's website, the PPOHA program provides grants to expand graduate school opportunities for, and improve the academic attainment of, Hispanic students.

"I look forward to building on this initiative to continue to ensure that everyone in Northwest Indiana has the opportunity to obtain the education that they seek in order to thrive in our regional economy,” Mrvan said.

"It is with great enthusiasm that we are able to take our post-baccalaureate programs and services to the next level," said CCSJ President Amy McCormack in a statement. "With support from the Department of Education, we can offer additional services to ensure our graduate students get individualized support to succeed.

In addition to starting new support programs, McCormack said the college was looking into the feasibility launching its first doctorate program.