Saint Martin’s University receives AmeriCorps grant to enhance career readiness among underrepresented students

Civic Leadership & Engagement Corps (CLEC) has awarded Saint Martin’s University a $125,000 career and leadership development grant.

CLEC is an AmeriCorps initiative through the Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good, an entity that empowers students with skills and resources to thrive in school and beyond to become future leaders and engaged citizens.

The university was selected as a campus partner, which means they can organize a CLEC program to enhance career readiness and civic leadership among underrepresented students for the academic year 2023-2024.

 “Saint Martin’s is proud to partner with the Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good to establish this much-needed program at the University,” University President Jennifer Bonds-Raacke, Ph.D. said. “Thanks to this AmeriCorps grant, we will provide more wrap-around services to holistically support our students and ensure they flourish here.”

The grant will fund an AmeriCorps Program Coordinator position and five Peer Advisor posts to convert the university’s advising model to cohort-based group advising, allowing students to learn as a group and from each other.

“We are excited about this partnership with CLEC AmeriCorps,” said University Executive Director of the Center for Student Success Gaby Hyre. “These team members will be integral in developing and implementing structures to holistically address students’ academic and basic needs. This is a huge win for our students and our community!”

The new community-based approach advising model is described as proactive and responsive, unlike the traditional advising model, which intervenes only when students need additional support.

The Washington Campus Coalition for the Public Good is a group of Washington state colleges and universities dedicated to advancing higher education institutions' public purposes, educating students about the workforce and civic leadership, and collaborating to cultivate vital and sustainable communities.

Americorps funds programs that aid six key areas: disaster services, economic opportunity, education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and veterans & military families.