Durham Tech To Receive $215,000 Grant

Durham Technical Community College (DTCC) has been selected as one of only four community colleges in the nation to participate in the new Catalyst Fund Program and will receive a $215,000 grant.

The Catalyst Fund grants are administered by Achieving the Dream, Inc. (AtD), a national nonprofit leading the nation’s most comprehensive non-governmental reform network for community college student grants with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. AtD will assist the college in the process of scaling effective interventions to reach a significantly large population of students. Durham Tech was chosen because of its known commitment to student-centered, evidence-based reforms and outstanding increases in student outcomes.

"The name of this grant is particularly appropriate, as this initiative is a real catalyst in bringing to scale some of our most promising student success efforts,” says Dr. Bill Ingram, president of Durham Tech. “Students who complete our College Transfer Success course are far more likely to persist from one semester to the next and also perform better academically than those who don’t enroll in or complete the course. We are delighted and honored that Achieving the Dream and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation have decided to invest in Durham Tech and in our students."

For 50 years, Durham Technical Community College has provided high-quality, affordable, and convenient technical and career education in Durham; served as the springboard to a bachelor’s degree; enabled tens of thousands of Durham and Research Triangle-area residents to enjoy continuing education offerings; and given many thousands more a second chance at success through adult literacy programs.