The Robinson Broadhurst Foundation has awarded two $20,000 grants to the Mount Wachusett Community College Foundation to support scholarships for Winchendon residents and the College Success Academy, a collaboration between Murdock High School and the college.
The College Success Academy provides seminars and college readiness activities to sophomores, juniors, and seniors to prepare for college enrollment after high school graduation. The College Success Academy will target the entire class of 2024, 2025, and 2026, approximately 252 Murdock students. Funding will support the cost of dual enrollment courses, including books and support staff, educational supplies, SAT preparation and career search materials, school bus and van rental for students to attend college fairs, campus tours, and participation in career and college exploration programming throughout the year.
Throughout the fall and spring semesters, seniors will receive personalized college enrollment coaching to support completing college admissions and financial aid and interpreting admission/ financial aid applications once received by students. Seniors interested in Dual Enrollment at MWCC will receive guidance on course selection and registration for appropriate career-focused coursework should they be interested in taking a course the spring semester of their senior year.
In the spring of 2024, Murdock juniors will begin attending seminars, college tours and fairs. The entire Murdock class of 2025 will have the opportunity to complete a four-credit dual enrollment course that is career oriented through MWCC, such as “Introduction to Healthcare Careers”. Sophomores will be afforded the opportunity to begin career exploration at MWCC Step Up Day.
The second $20,000 grant assists Winchendon residents with unmet costs for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses such as transportation and childcare, while they attend MWCC. The scholarship serves an estimated 20 Winchendon residents each year.
The Robinson Broadhurst Foundation, Inc. is a private foundation founded in 1984 operating and granting funds to charitable organizations aimed at improving the quality of life for the residents of Stamford and Worcester, New York, and Winchendon, Massachusetts.