Delta’s supportive “College 101: Becoming a Pioneer” program received a big boost from the AT&T Foundation with a $20,000 contribution in August.

The College 101 program is designed to help retain and prepare at-risk students to, one day, graduate and successfully enter the workforce. Students are exposed to the host of resources, services and programs available that can help them achieve their goals and get the most out of their college experience. Students who are enrolled at Delta but have not yet taken their first class, or students who, based on test scores, have been deemed as needing additional assistance, are targeted for the program.

The program was developed by Shelly Raube, Associate Dean of Retention, along with a team of faculty and staff facilitators from across campus. It was offered for the first time during summer 2019. 

Gavin Goetz, AT&T Executive Director of External Affairs, visited Delta on August 22 to present the check and meet with students in the program, who shared their stories, their college plans and their career hopes. 

“The stories these students shared during our lunch today, as they travel the road to get back into college life, were just amazing,” Goetz said. “I’m very proud to be an AT&T employee, who was responsible for bringing the check to Delta College.” 

“With contributions like this, Delta College is in a better position to provide students with the solid foundation they will need to be successful in school and in life,” said Dr. Jean Goodnow, Delta College President.

“I’d like to thank AT&T for generously supporting College 101: Becoming a Pioneer and our efforts to provide these students with a solid educational footing as they embark on their college experience,” she said. “This grant is going to make a real difference in our efforts to help these young students, not only discover their passion, but also gain an understanding of the path they’ll need to take and the resources available to them along the way. I know they can do it.”