​Arkansas

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home’s Career Pathways program is assisting those who serve in the military thanks to a $30,000 Walmart Foundation job training grant. The program will help students with military backgrounds obtain degrees and certificates for high-demand jobs. Students will receive support services including childcare, transportation, tuition, books and laptop loans.

Iowa

Northeast Iowa Community College’s (NICC) Calmar Campus will use a $5,000 Arlin Falck Foundation grant to purchase software to help students who have hearing impairments. The I-Communicator device will assist students with real-time translation in the classroom.

NICC’s Peosta Campus also received funding. A $1,500 grant from Black Hills Energy will allow the campus to plant trees and make enhancements near the college’s new industrial technologies building.

Maine

The Maine Community College System (MCCS) was awarded $8.35 million from the Harold Alfond Foundation to increase capacity by nearly 2,000 students at Kennebec Valley Community College. The college will use the funds, part of a $10.85 million gift that also supports the Good Will-Hinckley school, to purchase 600 acres and 13 buildings at Good Will-Hinckley. An organic farm on that property will become home to the state's first associate degree program in agricultural sciences. In addition, the state has appropriated $750,000 to MCCS to support annual operating costs at the new campus.

Minnesota

Ridgewater College will launch a critical care paramedic program with a $10,000 grant from the United Way of Kandiyohi County. The new program will allow paramedics and emergency room personnel to earn a nationally recognized certification as a critical care paramedic.

Texas

College of Mainland’s (COM) process technology (PTEC) program received a $5,000 donation from chemical company LyondellBasell. The company has recently partnered with COM to offer internships to PTEC students.