Vaughn College has been awarded a $4.35-million grant over five years as part of the Department of Education’s Hispanic-Serving Institutions Program, the College announced on Thursday (September 29). The grant will enhance access for Hispanic students to two new engineering programs at Vaughn.

More than $869,000 will be distributed each year for the next five. Vaughn applied for the grant on April 29 and received official U.S. Department of Education confirmation on September 27.

Proposed new bachelor of science programs in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering will address more directly the interests and needs of Vaughn’s students. The model for these engineering programs will be an integrated approach that uses math, science and English courses as a key component in engineering coursework. In addition, Vaughn will create an incubator for students who require greater academic support and would normally experience greater challenges in achieving an engineering degree. An agreement with LaGuardia Community College, a two-year institution, will help increase engineering bachelor’s degree completion among those students transferring to Vaughn.

“This grant reinforces the College’s commitment to providing the best educational opportunities for all our students,” Senior Vice President Dr. Sharon DeVivo said. “It will provide another avenue for students to cultivate the essential skills needed to be successful in college-level engineering programs.”