Published Oct. 2, 2020
The University of Louisiana Monroe has received a grant of over $1 million as part
of the federal government’s Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) initiative.
ULM will receive $1,074,510 for workforce development efforts through the Delta Regional
Authority (DRA), in partnership with the Appalachian Regional Commission and the U.S.
Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA).
A press conference to announce the award's details is at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, with
DRA and DOL representatives, state and local officials. The event will be at The Terrace
on the seventh floor of the ULM Library.
In all, 13 organizations share in $14,587,500 awarded to areas hard hit by the economic
downturn. ULM’s project fits the ETA’s objective for “ … innovative and sustainable
strategies providing needed career, training, and support services to eligible individuals,
which will assist in meeting workforce challenges and industry needs currently underserved
by other resources in the Delta,” according to information from DRA.
ULM’s grant will fund a High School Business Academy to “teach students the basics
of entrepreneurship, management, marketing, and accounting. College-bound students
can earn up to 18 hours of college credit,” according to the university’s grant application.
“A few years ago, Dean Blackett, a board member of the Louisiana Environmental Education
Commission and a longtime advocate of education and ULM, visited with me about creating
opportunities for students in our region in STEM fields. The concept for the Business
Academy originated from those discussions,” said ULM President Dr. Ronald Berry.
Berry said without the support and input of community partners, this grant would not
have been possible.
“This successful grant initiative is a great example of a regional collaboration to
address a critical need in preparing students for direct from high school careers
or their pursuit of higher education,” he said.
“This successful grant initiative is a great example of a regional collaboration to
address a critical need in preparing students for direct from high school careers
or their pursuit of higher education.”
Dr. Ronald Berry
ULM President
Berry thanked Sue Nicholson, CEO and President of the Monroe Chamber of Commerce,
who brought a group of partners together, including 11 parish school systems, Louisiana
Delta Community College, Workforce Investment Board 81 and 83, NELA Chapter of the
Society of CPAs, and ULM faculty and staff who worked on the project.
“Sue’s leadership, along with Matt Dickerson with Monroe City Schools and Tim Green
with Allen, Green, and Williamson, LLP, was instrumental in developing the grant proposal
and its successful funding,” Berry said.
“We were also fortunate to have had significant support from the cities of Monroe
and West Monroe as well as our federal and state political delegations,” said Berry.
The High School Business Academy curriculum will be taught by ULM faculty and high
school faculty, who will be trained to teach the program to ensure sustainability.
The hybrid program will blend in-classroom and virtual learning and mentoring.
