Selected Foundation Grants FY ’08 and FY ’09

Multicultural Achievers Program (MAP):  Implement intense case-management services provided to a select group of program participants, as well as resources and referrals for additional services that will assist students in achieving academic success.

Adult Education Student Transition Plan:  Fund Ready, Set…Success!
A program designed to transition adult education students into RVC classes. 

Project Jumpstart:  Several community organizations and businesses collaborate on a literacy initiative.

Project REACH (Realizing Educational Achievement Through Community and Home:  Project REACH supports a College-wide initiative "to initiate partnerships that increase connectivity with K-12 education."  Funding requested to develop and pilot a College and Career Readiness Fair for district middle school and high school students, counselors, and parents.

Faculty/Staff Training for the Improvement of Retention through the First Year Experience:  Fund 20 faculty members on professional development focusing on 100 STU Orientation to College Curricula, building learning communities, and other best practices in students' first year experience.

Electronic Eyepiece for Astronomy Telescope:  Purchase electronic eyepiece that makes it possible for telescope images to be viewed by groups of students and provide capability for computer control.

Astronomy Observing Site:  Install a permanent base for a telescope mount in a low light environment to be used for general public observation session hosted by RVC.

Hands-On Universe:  Purchase books, software and curriculum for educational program enabling 144 students (via Internet) to request observations from an automated telescope, download images, and perform analysis.

Graphing Calculator Rental Program:  Start a graphing calculator rental program.

Use of I>Clickers for Academic Assessment and Success:  Purchase clickers to serve approximately 100 plus students at RVC.  Clickers provide immediate feedback to the faculty member and students in regards to the student's level of understanding of material presented in class.

Mock Code Blue Simulation:  Project designed to simulate a Mock Code Blue in the Nursing Lab.  A code blue is a generic term used in health care facilities to indicate a cardiac arrest or other life threatening occurrences.

Web-Based Tutorials for Navigating the Library Catalog: Create online library tutorials for incoming students to reinforce research skills that provide measurable learning outcomes.

Binocular Microscope with Video Camera:  Purchase high-quality, binocular, camera adapted microscope with a corresponding video camera for the Anatomy and Physiology laboratory.

Whiz Kids Scholarships:  Sponsor 16 (11 continuing and 5 new) economically-disadvantaged kids to participate in Whiz Kids summer enrichment activities.

Recruitment Outreach Tour with RVC Chamber Singers:  Funding requested to undertake a workshop/concert tour of various Midwest schools and churches in the wider Rock Valley region to be used as recruitment events for RVC as a whole.

Spirometer:  Purchase new spirometer to meet the BIO 282 objective: "students will be able to demonstrate familiarity with the respiratory systems of the body."

4th/5th Grade College Visit Program:  Support career development and raising educational aspirations by giving 600 students from Nelson & Rolling Green Elementary schools a chance to explore 4 different career tracks at RVC.

Fire Science SCBA Equipment:  Fund the purchase of Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus equipment to be used in practical learning class exercises for Firefighter II State Certifications.

Grow Our Own Nursing Faculty:  Offer tuition scholarships to current RVC nursing staff, faculty, and/or graduates for completion of BSN or MSN to be qualified to teach nursing at RVC.

Instructional Equipment for Biology:  Purchase a PCR Instructional Lab Package and 3 types of experimental kits to perform modern molecular biology experiments. 

Laboratory Equipment to Support EET 275:  Provide a set of meaningful laboratory experiences in wireless electronics. 

LabQuest Data Collection System for Physical Science:  Purchase 8 data collection lab packages and classroom demonstrations to integrate technology into the program and teach critical thinking skills.

Math Tutoring Support for Stenstrom Center for Career Education:  Provide academic support for students at SCCE by providing tutors.

New Music Composition for 40th Anniversary of the RVC Community:  Assist with funding a new composition that will challenge the RVC Chamber Orchestra and be performed at Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center.

Polar Heart Rate Monitor Utilization:  Purchase 24 heart rate monitors and assessment software for utilization in fitness courses as an assessment tool.

Tres Vidas:  Assist with funding an on campus performance of Tres Vidas, an ensemble performance that will educate students in Latin American history, music, and poetry.

Visiting Writer’s Program/Native American History Month Celebration:  Assist with funding to bring a nationally-known poet/storyteller/writer/musician, Joy Harjo, to be the keynote speaker for the Visiting Writers Program and writing workshop facilitator.

Youth Groundwater Festival:  Assist with funding the Youth Groundwater Festival to educate students and volunteers about our groundwater/drinking water.