Temple College is one of 17 Texas colleges that will receive special training on how to help students who are struggling with basic needs insecurity.
The training will be provided by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, which is based at Temple University in Philadelphia.
According to the Hope Center, basic needs insecurity reduces the odds of college completion, with disproportionate impacts on Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and low-income students. The COVID-19 pandemic brought new challenges when it comes to students’ basic needs, especially their need for support with emergency aid and related services.
The training will start in July and include 10 sessions during the 2021-2022 academic year. Participating colleges will begin by mapping and analyzing which services exist, the level of coordination between them, and whether they are aligned with student needs. Then they can identify necessary enhancements.
A particular focus of the training will be the best use of emergency aid and the new federal funds to bring the most meaningful help to the most students.
Temple College was selected to receive the training because of its ongoing participation in the Texas Pathways project sponsored by the Texas Success Center. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is covering the cost of the training for all 17 colleges currently participating in the Texas Pathways project.
“We’re excited to build on the good work being accomplished through our Circle of Support and other areas across the college,” said Dr. Susan Guzman-Trevino, vice president for academic affairs and student services. “This training will complement our existing efforts and result in a well-informed and well-defined structure to support students’ basic needs.”