MUSCLE SHOALS — Northwest Shoals Community College has a new way to help guide students to success while also eliminating challenges many face.
NWSCC opened the Patriot Advocacy and Resource Center on its Shoals campus just in time for the start of school Thursday. Made possible through a three-year, $950,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the center is designed to help students overcome barriers while pursuing their college education.
The PARC, aimed at supporting student success, will assist at least 300 underserved students on the Phil Campbell and Shoals campuses with basic resources, such as food and transportation.
“Thanks to this grant, we are excited to be able to offer our students the basic resources they need to be successful in completing their education,” said Dr. Jeff Goodwin, NWSCC president. “The basic needs that we are providing often get overlooked, but they are just as critical to many of our students as technology is in the classroom. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Congressman Robert Aderholt for his help in making this possible.”
Eligible students will benefit from a food pantry, life-skill workshops, mental health coaching, mentoring, transportation assistance, housing assistance, and more.
According to PARC Manager of Basic Needs Patrece Rice, more than 50 students are already making use of the center’s services.
“Our students have been so appreciative of the services we are offering,” Rice said. “We are looking forward to the fall semester and the hundreds of students we can help moving forward.”
NWSCC students can apply for PARC services online at nwscc.edu/parc or in person. For more information on the PARC, please visit nwscc.edu/parc or email Patrece Rice, Manager of Basic Needs Program, at [email protected].
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