Leading & Energizing African American Students through Research and Knowledge

Leading & Energizing African American Students through Research and Knowledge

West Los Angeles College recently received a four-year, $2.4 million grant from the Department of Education HBCU Division / Office of Postsecondary Education. The funds come from a Title III Predominately Black Institution (PBI) grant.

The new grant funds an on campus program called LEARN (Leading & Energizing African American Students through Research and Knowledge). LEARN was established by a group of West faculty and staff who believed specifically targeted efforts could be implemented to improve the college success rates for a number of African American students who enter the college underprepared. The program was establish last year under a oneyear grant The receipt of the four-year PBI grant will allow the program to continue its good work.

The student population at West is approximately 44% African American. LEARN, in conjunction with other college services, provides academic support, mentoring, exposure to career paths, leadership development and instruction in life skills. Students from target high schools and middle schools will also participate in LEARN programs.

“Students succeed at identifying, persisting in pursuing, and achieving their goals when we can create learning experiences that account for their specific needs and degrees of readiness to engage in college. I applaud the efforts of the creative faculty, staff and administrative leaders who established LEARN and worked diligently to secure the resources to implement the project,” said West President, Nabil Abu-Ghazaleh.

West Los Angeles College, an accredited community college located just south of Overland and Jefferson, has been providing excellent university transfer and career training programs to the community for over 40 years. For more information on “West,” visit www.wlac.edu. ### PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: October 12, 2011 CONTACT: Michelle Long-Coffee, Dir. PR & Advertising (310) 287-4597 | longcofm@wlac.edu 9000 Overland Ave. - Culver City, CA 90230