West Central Education Alliance awarded $30,000 from Duke Energy Foundation grant  

West Central Education Alliance awarded $30,000 from Duke Energy Foundation grant  

In an effort to create career opportunities for the region’s students and collaboration opportunities for the region’s educational institutions, the West Central Education Alliance was awarded $30,000 from the Duke Energy Foundation.  The alliance, a partnership between the areas K-12 and higher education institutions, aims to implement a pilot program that collaborates with local businesses and business leaders to establish college and career pathways for high school juniors and seniors. By establishing these relationships, the educational institutions and business partners within the counties of Clay, Parke, Putnam, Sullivan, Vermillion and Vigo will be better equipped to create resources and opportunities for professional growth for the students they serve and empower them to succeed.

“The West Central Education Alliance understands that it is our mission to develop comprehensive educational environments that will build innovative futures for every student within West Central Indiana,” states Dr. Rob Haworth, Superintendent of the Vigo County School Corporation.  “We are thankful for Duke Energy Foundation’s support, which will allow us resources to gather and evolve as a group to develop partnerships between education and business in our region.”

The grant aims to achieve three potential goals, each developed to benefit students, develop and expand upon their strengths and skill sets, and create exploratory opportunities for college and/or career readiness.

  1. Expand the 21st Century Scholars program.
  2. Develop engaging intern, extern apprenticeship and certificate programs.
  3. Create leadership and economic growth within West Central Indiana.

    The funds awarded from the Duke Energy Foundation will go towards building relationships between the region’s educational institutions and businesses/business leaders within the region. These opportunities might include but are not limited to roundtables and networking events, hosting guest speakers at high schools for students to learn about higher education and career path opportunities, and hosting career fairs for juniors and seniors.

As the foundations are established, this collaboration will provide opportunities for students to take advantage of our region’s vast resources as they finish out their high school careers. The Alliance is hopeful to begin meeting in person this fall.