MILES CITY, MONTANA: Miles Community College was recently named as one of the seven Custer County organizations to receive over $98,000 in combined grants from the first cycle of Grid United’s Community Investment Program (CIP). MCC was the recipient of $34,500 to support its Opportunity Realized Program, which was launched last year.
The CIP grant is sponsored by Grid United and administered through the Montana Community Foundation. This grant offers funds to Custer, Rosebud, and Fallon Counties of Eastern Montana, where the company’s high-powered transmission lines are routed. According to a press release by Grid United, the company is dedicated to the well-being and vitality of the communities through which the NPC is routed.
“We are so thankful for this support,” stated MCC President Ron Slinger. “Our Opportunity Realized Program is another great example of how Miles Community College is fulfilling its mission and serving the community.”
The Opportunity Realized Program allows the college to partner with regional school districts to provide a one-credit college course to high school seniors, at zero cost to the student. The Career Development and Interpersonal Skills class involves career exploration, resume writing, and interview skills. Students also learn employability skills such as emotional intelligence, conflict resolution, interpersonal communication, teamwork, and professionalism.
The program was piloted in its first year through Terry High School (Terry, Montana) and Garfield County District High School (Jordan, Montana). This academic year, the college expects to partner with 15 schools altogether.
The newly acquired grant funds will allow for the continuation of program expansion by partnering with additional schools and offering more classes, taught by MCC instructors. Specific to this upcoming year, the grant funds will allow the college to partner with Custer County District High School in Miles City.
“Not only can Custer County students earn college credit at zero cost to them and their families, but they also have the opportunity to explore what career opportunities are available and learn the soft skills that employers are looking for,” commented Slinger. “That means every Custer County high school student could truly be job-ready upon graduation.”
Custer County also saw six other grant recipients: Miles City Kiwanis, Miles City Public Library, Custer County Food Bank, Custer County Firefighter Association, and the Montana Health Network.
The grants were awarded in person on the MCC campus in Miles City and included members from both Grid United and the Montana Community Foundation program, as well as the Community Advisory Committees and all grant recipients.
To learn more about the CIP grants, visit the Montana Community Foundation website at www.mtcf.org.
