The College of New Rochelle Announces $10 Million Grant from U.S. Department of Education

NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y., Sept. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The College of New Rochelle (CNR) today announced a $10 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to fund a comprehensive program to enhance student success through innovative, collaborative learning strategies. It is the largest grant in the College's history.

"This grant will enable The College of New Rochelle to accelerate the implementation of key strategic initiatives impacting student success.  In particular, it will provide important resources for optimizing the learning environment inside and outside the classroom.  These resources will include technology, academic facilities enhancements, and new support programs," said Judith Huntington, President of The College of New Rochelle.

The award will allow the College to expand and strengthen its innovative teaching model across our six campuses.  It will also fund the renovation and expansion of state-of-the-art science facilities to better prepare students in nursing, science, and mathematics, as well as in other high demand STEM disciplines, where a diverse workforce is vastly underrepresented.  

"This grant provides crucial funding that will revolutionize the College's ability to deliver outstanding educational opportunities and achieve superior student outcomes.  We are grateful to have this opportunity to collaborate with the Department of Education in our shared commitment to transforming communities though the power of higher education and are firmly committed to carefully and prudently steward these resources to achieve the desired programmatic results and to maximize student success," continued Huntington.

Huntington added, "The College of New Rochelle is proud to have been awarded this transformative grant by the U.S. Department of Education. We are profoundly grateful that President Obama and Congress have made these funds available.  We especially thank U.S. Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand for their ongoing support of the President's higher education agenda."

"This award is great news for The College of New Rochelle and its students," said Senator Schumer. "It will enable CNR to increase student retention and enhance women's participation in science- and math-related fields. This grant will ultimately help The College of New Rochelle prepare students for the work force while they are on campus and provide them the skills they need to succeed after graduation."

"New York is home to some of the greatest colleges and universities, a world-class workforce, and innovative career opportunities," said Senator Gillibrand. "Investing in education at The College of New Rochelle will help students start out strong and go as far as their own hard work will take them. This is a major investment that will allow students to get the education and resources they need for the careers of the future; and by focusing on student retention and increasing graduation rates, we give every student the opportunity to thrive."

The first Catholic college for women in New York State, The College of New Rochelle was founded in 1904 by the Ursuline Order.  Today, it comprises the all-women School of Arts & Sciences, and three schools which admit women and men: the School of New Resources (for adult learners), the School of Nursing and the Graduate School.  The main campus of the College is located in lower Westchester County, 16 miles north of New York City.  The College maintains five other campus locations in New York City for the School of New Resources in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan.  Visit the College's website at www.cnr.edu.

SOURCE The College of New Rochelle