Montgomery College

Award Purpose to Improve the Retention and Completion of Students Underrepresented in It Fields by Developing a Scalable Navigator Model, Which Helps Students to Understand Career Options and Enroll in the Best Program of Study for Them, to Connect Them to Wrap-around Services Within the College and in the Community, and to Monitor Their Progress So Early Intervention Is Possible When They See Red Flags. This System Is Expected to Improve Outcomes, Credentials Earned, and the Proportion of Participants Who Find Quality Jobs. Activities Performed This Intervention Program Will Increase Personalized Navigation to Help First-generation College Students and Others With Barriers to Understand Their Career Options, Enroll in a Program of Study and Connect to the Wrap-around Supports Needed to Stay on Track for Completion. the Navigators Will Move With Students as They Progress From Non-credit to For-credit Degrees or as They Lattice Together Various Credentials. the System of Navigation Is Designed to Be Scalable to Other Programs or Other Colleges and to Interface With the Workforce System and Employers to Help Participants Find On-the-job Training and Careers. Techmap Is Expected to Increase Retention and Completion Rates for Underrepresented Students, Leading to Higher Numbers of Participants Who Earn a Professional Credentials and Who Find Quality Work and Higher Wages. Deliverables Capacity Building Outcome 1: Expand Navigation System Capacity and Support Systems, Beginning With Underrepresented Students Seeking Non-credit It Programs. Capacity Building Outcome 2: It Programs of Study Are Both Aligned With the Employer and Industry Needs and Accessible to Underrepresented Students With Barriers, Leading to Participants Finding Quality Jobs. Capacity Building Outcome 3: Scale the Navigation Strategies and Materials Within Montgomery College and at Other Postsecondary Institutions, as Well as at Secondary Schools, Nonprofits, and Other Organizations Helping to Place Individuals on Career Pathways. Equity Outcome 1: Increase On-time Program Completion for Students Underrepresented in the It Sector. Equity Outcome 2: Graduates of Color, Women and Other Participants With Disabilities Report Finding Quality Jobs After Completion of the Program. Intended Beneficiary Individuals Underrepresented in It and Those Who Struggle to Complete Certificate and Degree Programs at Montgomery College, Including People of Color, Women, and Disconnected Youth/young Adults. Additionally, Individuals Who Are Un- or Underemployed, Including as a Result of COVID-19-RELATED Layoffs Are Invited to Apply to Upskill And/or Reskill. Subrecipient Activities N/a