NEW ROCHELLE, NY — The College of New Rochelle (CNR) has been awarded a $1.062 million grant from the New York State Higher Education Capital Matching Grant Program (HECap) that will allow for upgrades to its science programs and facilities.
CNR was one of 29 applicants – out of 62 submissions – to receive funding through the program, which awards matching capital grants for projects that would enhance academic programmatic offerings.
The grant will allow CNR to redesign, reconstruct, rehabilitate and re-equip its science facilities. The laboratory renovations will enhance academic programs that support biochemistry-related initiatives; a new degree program in health and wellness; innovative general education programs; and research opportunities.
“At The College of New Rochelle, we remain entirely focused on fulfilling the priorities of our strategic plan,” said Judith Huntington, President of The College of New Rochelle. “This grant is in complete alignment with the strategic priority of providing outstanding educational opportunities through 21st century academics. Providing crucial access to hands-on training with the latest laboratory technology and equipment enables us to enhance the liberal arts education for our students with further career preparation in health and STEM fields.”
The HECap grant will supplement a Federal allocation and private funds already received for the science facilities on the New Rochelle campus, bringing the projected investment in the project to over $4 million.
This is the third major grant awarded to CNR in less than 18 months. In September 2014, CNR received a $10 million grant – the largest in its 112-year history – from the U.S. Department of Education to renovate and expand facilities aimed at better preparing students in nursing, science and mathematics. In October 2014, CNR received a $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) “First in the World” program. That funding was earmarked for pilot testing of “Mentoring, Undergraduate Research and Augmented Libraries” (MURAL), which was geared toward finding successful practices for improving adult students’ grades, retention and four-year graduation rates.
“We are thrilled that we continue to be recognized for our dynamic, innovative, values-based programs and curriculum,” Huntington said. “We will continue to advance and expand our academic programs and facilities to better serve our students and honor our Ursuline heritage.”