Rockland Community College one of only three colleges nationwide selected for pilot program

The National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE) announced on July 14th that Rockland Community College has been selected as one of three schools nationwide to receive $210,000 to develop and launch Money Smart Financial Coaching Program, a financial coaching program to improve their students’ financial health and increase their graduation rates. The program is expanding nationally through a $2.5 million investment from JPMorgan Chase.

Rockland Community College was chosen through a competitive process based on the school’s capacity for innovation, staff knowledge and commitment to student success. In addition to Rockland Community College, Fulton-Montgomery Community College in Johnstown, NY and Mott Community College in Flint, MI have also been selected and will each receive $210,000. Four other colleges will be selected in 2023, impacting more than 1,200 students around the country.

"Preparing students to be ready for the real world and strengthening their long-term economic security starts with supporting them to better understand how to manage their own finances and plan for their future." said Kevin Stump, Vice President of Economic Mobility and Workforce Innovation at Rockland Community College.

Dr. Darlene G. Miller, Executive Director of NCWE stated, “As a nonprofit committed to supporting practitioners and workforce leaders to deliver equity-conscious and impactful workforce education programs, we believe that financial wellness programming is critical to addressing financial security barriers for workforce education learners and will serve to mitigate gender and racial equity wealth gaps.”

“Financial coaching is about behavior change and empowering people to take charge of their future by connecting them to resources that drive academic, career and personal achievement,” said Jeanique Druses, Executive Director, Global Philanthropy, JPMorgan Chase. “Rockland Community College is adept at serving students who face barriers to graduation and employment opportunities and this program will build on their ability to meet the needs of their students and help them achieve economic mobility.”

Utilizing a financial coaching program launched by Westchester Community College in 2014, NCWE will provide Rockland Community College with individualized coaching and technical assistance; training, guidance, and support needed to hire staff; and assistance in building a successful, sustainable program. The NCWE Team will assist Rockland Community College in developing a long-term business plan to embed financial wellness into their strategic and budget plans, to support the sustainability of the initiative.

About Rockland Community College

Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCC’s institutional collaborations.

RCC fosters an environment that attracts, recruits, supports and retains faculty, staff, and students who value diversity. The College promotes a collegial and inclusive environment by recognizing, promoting, embracing, respecting and celebrating the expansive range and dimensions of cultures, attitudes, ideas and viewpoints contained within our campus community.

RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and micro credentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.

About National Council for Workforce Education

As a workforce focused, non-profit organization committed to equity and inclusion, the National Council for Workforce Education leads our members with innovative ideas and bold actions to drive economic advancement for all. An affiliate council of the American Association for Community Colleges, NCWE works through partnerships with business and industry, and national leaders, to transform workforce education programs to ensure student success and local labor market needs. For more information, please see www.NCWE.org