FGCU has been awarded a $1.2 million Talent Search grant by the U.S. Department of Education — one of only three given to Florida state universities. The five-year award will fund activities to assist middle and high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds navigate the pursuit of higher education.
Approximately 500 students from four schools in Lee County — Dunbar High School, Dunbar Middle School, East Lee High School and Lehigh Acres Middle School — will participate in activities designed to provide tutoring, advising, career and college exploration, preparation for entrance exams and development of skills that enable higher education and lead to successful careers. In partnership with the Lee County schools, grant activities will also focus on providing guidance for parents and guardians of the participants regarding the admissions and financial aid processes, all coordinated by FGCU staff who will be stationed in the partner schools.
“This is a grant we have been working on for over a year,” said Dolores Kiesler, assistant dean for Student Support Services and Outreach Programs. “The grant will allow us to reach 500 more students in Lee County schools who are in need of this assistance and support to dream of college and make it a reality.”
FGCU also hosts two other large, federally funded TRIO program grants, STEM and Classic, along with the Florida Department of Education’s College Reach Out Program and a local Scholars Program (funded in part by United Way), which serve 1,000 students in the five-county region in fourth through 12th grades.
“We are one of three state universities in Florida to have the Talent Search grant — it is a point of pride for FGCU, but more importantly, this addition of services to the region continues our important work of transforming students’ lives through higher education,” said Dean of Students Michele Yovanovich.