Los Rios Receives Over $9 Million in Grant Awards
September 2, 2020
The Los Rios colleges were recently awarded over $9 million in grants to support student success and research in the Sacramento region.
American River College (ARC) and Cosumnes River College (CRC) both received federal TRIO Student Support Services grants. Federal TRIO programs are designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
ARC received three five-year continuation grants for a total of approximately $3.9 million. These awards recognize the positive outcomes of ARC’s current TRIO Journey, STEM, and Veterans programs in supporting the success of low-income, first-generation students.
CRC is receiving its first-ever Student Support Services awards. The college received a traditional Student Support Services grant and a STEM grant that total approximately $2.6 million over five years. Each grant will allow the college to provide additional wrap-around services to its most vulnerable student populations.
In other grant news, CRC has also been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Hispanic Serving Institutions Program of the USDA – National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The grant focuses on improving academic success for Hispanic and low-income students through the development of dual enrollment pathways with SIA Tech South Sacramento Charter High School in Agricultural Mechanics, faculty professional development in culturally relevant teaching of agriculture and related disciplines, and opportunities for experiential learning through the development of a sustainable garden at the CRC campus.
In addition, the Los Rios colleges and Sacramento State received a $2.7 million, five-year National Science Foundation grant. The collaboration between Los Rios and Sacramento State is focused on giving students practical, real-world research experience in studying Northern California waterways. It is anticipated the grant-funded research will encourage more students to enter STEM fields.
"These grants are great news for the Sacramento region," said Los Rios Chancellor Brian King. "They represent a powerful investment in the future of our communities and we are grateful for the support, especially during these uncertain fiscal times."