MetLife Foundation announces a national competition that will
recognize two community colleges for exemplary practices that
promote education and career advancement for traditionally underserved
youth and adults in all educational programs.
"Community colleges are a national resource," said Sibyl Jacobson,
President and CEO of MetLife Foundation. "With today's demographics
and workforce needs, community colleges play a critical role in
upward mobility and skill development. By providing pathways to
four-year colleges and universities and the tools traditionally
disadvantaged students need to succeed in today's changing job
market, community colleges are the road to economic empowerment.
We are happy to recognize the important work these colleges are
doing to creatively and effectively meet the educational needs
of millions of Americans."
The award winners will be leaders in demonstrating a college-wide
focus on achieving high levels of access, retention, and advancement
for the underserved by creating supportive learning environments
on campus. These colleges will also reach beyond their own walls
to forge community partnerships with high schools, four-year colleges
and universities, and community-based and business organizations.
Colleges are invited to apply by October 1, 2001, for the MetLife
Foundation Community College Excellence Awards. In Spring 2002,
two public community colleges will receive $30,000 cash awards.
Jobs for the Future, a national organization that specializes
in building career pathways that link work and learning, is administering
the award on behalf of MetLife Foundation.
The application process will include a formal application submitted
by the college, followed by interviews and site visits to finalists.
A National Award Review Panel of experts and practitioners from
the field will make the final selection of two winners. Award
winners will be featured in an on-line, "virtual tour" of their
institutions, as well as in an awards brochure and related publications.
The award winners will also share best practices with other community
colleges at a post-award meeting.
Winning institutions will demonstrate:
- A deep institutional commitment to the educational and career advancement of underserved youth and adults;
- Exemplary practices and programs that
are woven into a comprehensive pathway to advancement that integrates
credit and non-credit programs with transfer and short-term workforce
development programs;
- Integration of programs, services,
and funding streams into a systemic approach to educational advancement
for traditionally underserved youth and adults;
- Strong partnerships with high
schools, four-year colleges and universities, and community-based and
business organizations to strengthen access, retention, and advancement
opportunities for underserved youth and adults;
- Ongoing research and evaluation of services and student outcomes that drives continuous improvement; and
- Innovative strategies that break new ground in promoting access, retention, and advancement.
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MetLife Foundation, one of the earliest corporate supporters
of community colleges, was established in 1976 by MetLife, and
has a long history of supporting initiatives that improve the
quality of education and help young people succeed. The Foundation
has contributed more than $90 million to education programs that
facilitate change and cultivate effective learning environments
at school and at home. For more information about the Foundation,
please visit the Web site at www.metlife.org. Award applications
are available from Jobs for the Future at www.jff.org or by calling (617)728-4446. For further information about the
awards program, please contact Leslie
Haynes at (617)728-4446, lhaynes@jff.org. 
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