Developments in VWCC Grants
Periodically, I would like to share updates on grants which have been awarded and provide a little detail about these projects. Often everyone is so busy on campus, there are many wonderful things happening that we might not know about. See some recent grant updates below with the primary contact noted in case you would like more information on the project.
Recent Awards
National Science Foundation – Virginia Tech: Center for Mining and Mineral Engineering Collaboration
NSF Virginia Tech collaboration – Robotics Mining Subaward- A VWCC student team, and Dr. Richard Clark (their advisor), would collaborate with Dr. Erik Westman (the VT CASERM Site Director) as well as Dr. Xinxin Shao (a VT Research Associate) to design and build lab-scale autonomous mining equipment that will be tested at VT’s Center for Autonomous Mining. This project would encompass a two-year period with a total budget $99,868 covering equipment and student time working in the lab. (Dr. Rick Clark -PI)
National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education – NSF ATE
Cross-Pollination Skillsets: A project to grow Mechatronics and Agriculture Collaboration for Producing Skills Agricultural Technicians. This ATE project will combine mechatronics and agricultural curriculums to provide the next generation of agricultural technicians required by growing industries. The goal of this project is to develop a novel Ag-Tech career studies certificate (CSC) that can be completed at the community college in just four semesters. As no Ag-Tech program currently exists within the Virginia Community College system, the project will serve as a model. Awarded funds: $343,209 over a 3-year period. (Dr. David Berry – PI and Dr. Mallory White Co-PI)
FAFSA Student Support – ECMC Foundation
This summer, funding was awarded to support efforts toward additional FAFSA submissions and completed applications that nationally were below prior submission levels due to the delayed roll out and complications with the new application format and process. Funds in the amount of $50,800 were approved for staffing overtime, additional part-time support during the summer months and marketing efforts to increase student knowledge of the FAFSA support available. Thanks to Financial Aid and Marketing for putting these funds to use and supporting student need. (Dr. Chad Sartini – Project Lead)
Earn to Learn – Virginia Department of Health
Virginia Western’s nursing program will expand its current clinical partnership to include an ETL pilot with Carilion Clinic. The Earn to Learn model allows for additional guided learning in the clinical setting, offers financial opportunities for students while gaining clinical skills, ensures that new nurses are practice ready, and seeks to address current nursing shortages within our community. The performance period will run through December of 2025 with an award amount of $439,521.00. (Dr. Kelley Pennell – Project Lead)
Thank you to all of those invested in grant projects on campus! If there are updates or recent developments you would like me to share, please let me know.
Shelley
Shelley Lyons
Administrative Officer for Grants Administration
Fishburn Hall, F204
540-857-6084
slyons@virigniawestern.edu
Shelley Lyons is glad to be back on campus as she is a Virginia Western alum, and has served as the Administrative Officer for Grants Administration at Virginia Western since early 2022. Prior to VWCC, her career focus was within the Human Services and Arts fields. She wrote her first grant in 1996 on a whim and has continued to plan and learn since that time. She most enjoys seeing a well-planned project come to fruition, where funder, project manager and beneficiaries can all feel success and see impact.