Westat Establishes New Scholarship for Students in the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) Program
Westat, an employee-owned research corporation based in Rockville, has established a scholarship fund to help as many as 10 students a year attend Montgomery College, thanks to a significant gift commitment by the company.
Westat’s scholarship fund will benefit students who are part of the Achieving Collegiate Excellence and Success (ACES) program at the College and who plan to continue their education at The Universities at Shady Grove. ACES is designed to increase access to higher education to students who are most often underrepresented in college classrooms, as well as those who would be the first in their family to attend college. The program, which provides comprehensive interventions and support for participants over multiple years, is a collaborative effort among Montgomery College, Montgomery County Public Schools, and The Universities at Shady Grove.
“Westat recognizes that our communities prosper when everyone has the opportunity to pursue a college degree,” said President and CEO James E. Smith, Ph.D. “We are pleased to help ACES students build a better future through our scholarship fund.”
Scholarships are an essential component of the support services that enable ACES students to succeed once they reach college. During the 2014-15 academic year, 51 percent of incoming Montgomery College ACES students received the federal Pell grant and 47 percent received Maryland state grant funds. In addition, the Montgomery College Foundation was able to award $243,990 in designated ACES scholarships to 144 students with financial need, thanks to donations from businesses, foundations, and individuals.
“I have been witness to the transformative power of education on individuals, their families, and their communities,” Montgomery College President Dr. DeRionne P. Pollard said. “We are grateful to Westat for this generous scholarship. This gift will change lives by providing students with the means and the opportunity to earn their undergraduate degrees and build meaningful careers.”
Students selected to receive the Westat ACES Scholarship must be participants in the ACES program at Montgomery College; maintain a grade point average of 2.0 or higher; demonstrate financial need; and express plans to transfer immediately upon completion at Montgomery College into a BA/BS degree program offered at The Universities at Shady Grove.
“Westat has shown a sincere commitment to helping young people improve their lives by removing financial barriers that keep so many individuals from pursuing a college education,” said Carol Rognrud, executive director of the Montgomery College Foundation. “It is with heartfelt gratitude that I thank Westat for this vital investment in the success of our students.”
To learn more about this scholarship or other opportunities to support Montgomery College students, please contact Ms. Rognrud at 240-567-7493 or carol.rognrud@montgomerycollege.edu.
About Westat Inc.
Westat is an employee-owned research corporation based in Rockville, MD with expertise in data collection & management, clinical trials, statistical research & survey methods, evaluation, and communications & social marketing. Founded in 1963, Westat serves business, government and foundation clients by bringing together subject-matter specialists with statisticians, researchers, evaluators, communicators, and technical staff to fit the needs of each project.
About Montgomery College
Montgomery College is a public, open admissions community college with campuses in Germantown, Rockville, and Takoma Park/Silver Spring, plus workforce development/continuing education centers and off-site programs throughout Montgomery County, Md. The College serves nearly 60,000 students a year, through both credit and noncredit programs, in more than 130 areas of study.
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