Dr. Lynette Kuhn, Pennsylvania Department of Education Deputy Secretary and Commissioner for Postsecondary and Higher Education (Credit: Eric Parker, Bucks County Community College)
Bucks County Community College has been awarded a $150,000 state grant aimed at helping students who are parents continue and complete their college education.
The funding comes through Pennsylvania’s Parent Pathways program, a statewide initiative that distributed more than $1.6 million to 11 colleges and universities. The announcement was made March 30 during a news conference at the college’s Newtown campus.
College officials said the grant will be used in the upcoming academic year to provide direct support to parenting students, including last-dollar scholarships, emergency financial assistance and other resources designed to reduce barriers to completion.
“We are grateful that the Pennsylvania Department of Education named Bucks County Community College as a recipient of the Parent Pathways grant,” said President and CEO Patrick M. Jones. He noted that many parenting students are highly motivated but face added challenges while balancing family and academic responsibilities.
Dr. Samantha Gross, dean of the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, said the program addresses a critical gap, as parenting students often complete degrees at lower rates than their peers. She added that helping those students succeed can lead to stronger economic outcomes, including higher household incomes and improved workforce participation in fields such as nursing and education.
The program’s impact was also reflected in student perspectives shared during the announcement. Siam Rodriguez, a mother of three and a student at Bucks, said the support will help her continue working toward her goal of attending medical school. Her husband is also enrolled full time at the college.
This marks the first time Bucks County Community College has received the Parent Pathways grant and makes it the only recipient in Bucks County this year.
More information about programs and opportunities at the college is available at bucks.edu
About Bucks County Community College
Founded in 1964, Bucks County Community College is a two-year, public institution offering more than 90 programs of study that lead to either an associate degree or certificate, as well as many workforce training programs on campus, on site, or online. Successful graduates directly launch a career or transfer to four-year colleges and universities to complete a bachelor’s degree, depending on the major. Classes are offered on campus in Newtown, Bristol, and Perkasie, and worldwide through Bucks Online. To learn more, visit bucks.edu.
