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DECATUR -- �ǿ����޴�ý University was recently awarded a $124,285 grant from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) through the .

These funds will be used to provide academic and social-emotional learning support for students most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially Black, Latino, low-income, first-generation, working adult and rural students.

Grants to public institutions were allocated using a formula to ensure equitable distribution, and grants were awarded to non-public institutions, like �ǿ����޴�ý, through a competitive application process.

�ǿ����޴�ý intends to use the grant funds to expand its Excellence Developed Through Growth & Experience (EDGE) Program. First-year students selected to be part of the EDGE Program move to campus early, prior to New Student Welcome Week in early August, and receive a unique opportunity to get a jump-start on their year by learning about the academic demands of college, connecting with faculty and building a strong support system.

The expanded program, EDGE Plus, will be a new five-week summer bridge experience to serve 30 low-income, first-generation and underrepresented students to foster their academic success, despite challenges that have been exacerbated by COVID-19.

“I have always wanted to extend the EDGE program that currently starts a few weeks before school every fall. We have great success in the current program, but I am excited to see how much growth and success students can learn before school starts with a five-week course,” �ǿ����޴�ý Dean of Academic Support Services Carrie Pierson said. “This grant will allow us to provide much more college prep for first-year students to help ensure they are off to a fantastic start to their college careers.”

EDGE Plus students will take courses taught by full-time, tenure-track �ǿ����޴�ý faculty in areas critical to college success, including writing, reading, research, math, ethical reasoning, scientific methods and life skills. Additional program activities will include the following:

• Meet with key support services and academic advisors
• Engage in training on college success skills, including time management, study skills, resources identification and social support systems
• Forge connections with faculty and undergraduate mentors
• Take vocational and strengths assessments
• Create relationships with mental and behavioral health staff
• Engage in financial coaching
• Be placed in campus employment
• Take part in service learning
• Learn about the Decatur community and its social service organizations.

Since receiving confirmation of the grant, �ǿ����޴�ý’s Center for Academic and Professional Performance (CAPP) has been hard at work with the admissions team to qualify �ǿ����޴�ý-admitted students for the expanded five-week bridge program that will begin directly after the Summer Orientation dates in June.

�ǿ����޴�ý �ǿ����޴�ý University

�ǿ����޴�ý University is a private, comprehensive university with a diverse student population of approximately 1,800 undergraduate and graduate students. A �ǿ����޴�ý education features Performance Learning, a unique learning approach offered only at �ǿ����޴�ý that gives students the chance to build the confidence and skills to succeed before and after graduation. �ǿ����޴�ý graduates enter the job market armed with experience and ready for success. In 2022, 99% of graduates gained employment or entry to graduate or professional schools within six months of graduation, compared to the 71% national average. �ǿ����޴�ý offers more than 50 majors in the College of Fine Arts, College of Arts & Sciences, College of Professional Studies and Tabor School of Business, and is located on a 75-acre residential campus in Decatur, Ill.

For further media information, please contact �ǿ����޴�ý University Public Relations Coordinator Matthew Flaten at 217.420.6636 or mflaten@millikin.edu.