York College is one of 41 schools in the nation to be awarded a Title III Strengthening Institutions Program federal grant to improve student success and retention. YC will receive $2.25 million over five years to implement IMPACT YC: A Framework for Integrated Academic Support.

IMPACT YC will redesign and revolutionize the delivery of academic resources for the campus, increasing access to information and tutoring. Through this process, Levitt Library will be transformed to provide areas designed for student collaboration, group tutoring, and a technology help desk. It will also provide new digital resources for student research. Every student will have increased access to tools, technology, staff, and materials that will equip them for greater success in their academic pursuits and future careers. 

PictureCurrent SUCCESS Center
"Many of our students are the first in their families to attend college or come from low-income households,” said YC President Steve Eckman. “These students will benefit most from the increased support this grant will provide. The Title III funds will allow us to more effectively fulfill our mission of transforming lives through Christ-centered education by providing resources that allow all students to succeed academically, no matter what their background or level of preparedness for college success."

The Title III Strengthening Institutions Program is a highly competitive grant opportunity that is generally offered every two years. Established through the Higher Education Act of 1965, these funds are intended to help eligible institutions of higher education to better serve at-risk students by providing funds to improve and strengthen academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.

"While printed books will always play an important role in the research necessary for college study," Provost Shane Mountjoy explained, "students must also have access to resources that are only available digitally. IMPACT YC will ensure that we have the technology infrastructure and personnel necessary to provide them with the most current tools available in many areas of study. It will also allow us to catalog our print resources in more efficient ways to increase their visibility and use."

This is the second time York College has received Title III SIP grant funding in recent years. In 2009 York College was awarded $2 million to create a student success center, renovate classrooms and upgrade technology campus wide. Improvements included a complete remodel of the lower level of Middlebrook Hall, transforming a 1940s era cafeteria into three technology classrooms.