CCC awarded grants to support student success and transportation needs

OREGON CITY - Clackamas Community College is the recipient of two grants that will enhance student support services and transportation assistance. These new resources will help ensure that students have access to the guidance and support they need to succeed, both in and out of the classroom.

AmeriCorps Connect2Complete Equitable Pathways Program

The first award is through the Connect2Complete (C2C) AmeriCorps program, managed by the Coalition for Racial & Educational Justice (formerly Campus Compact of Oregon). As part of this program, CCC will be assigned an AmeriCorps member through August 2025. The C2C AmeriCorps member will focus on supporting students in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses and related foundational Spanish courses.

The AmeriCorps volunteer will engage students through near-peer support and help them navigate placement processes, course requirements and access to course technology. Additionally, they will connect students with broader campus support services and assist in strengthening CCC's guided pathways initiatives. The goal of this partnership is to increase student retention and success by fostering a greater sense of belonging and engagement, especially for Spanish-speaking and LatinX students.

"This partnership will help identify and address existing gaps in our college services, create short- and long-term solutions, and support the social and cultural shifts needed to sustain and grow our Spanish language programs," CCC President Tim Cook said.

Short-term solutions may include meeting individual needs, advocating for specific resources and providing in-class support. Long-term solutions will focus on creating Spanish-language orientation and onboarding materials, and translating key documents.

TriMet Fare Relief Program

In addition to the Connect2Complete award, CCC was granted $35,000 through the TriMet Fare Relief Program to provide fare assistance for students and staff. The grant will cover fare costs through June 30, 2025, allowing CCC to distribute reduced or free TriMet passes to students and employees who qualify.

"We understand that transportation can be a barrier for many of our students, and this grant will provide much-needed relief to help them stay on track and access the resources they need to succeed," said Sara Ford-Oades, CCC's transportation assessment coordinator. "We'll continue to maximize the impact of this funding by offering monthly fare passes and day passes on a case-by-case basis."

By combining academic and transportation support, these grants reflect CCC's ongoing commitment to removing barriers and creating an inclusive environment where all students can thrive.