Ranger College awarded $3M in HSI grant funding 

Ranger — The U.S. Department of Education’s Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) Program awarded Ranger College a five-year, $3 million grant, the largest federal grant in the college’s history. The project, Ranger REACH, is designed to enhance academic support services for students across all three campuses. 

The activities of Ranger REACH include the construction of an Academic Pathway Center, the addition of success/career coaches and expansion of tutoring programs to assist underserved students. Ranger will enhance its new student “6 x 6” initiative by revamping orientation and the bridge program to include more families and Spanish language sessions. Underserved students will be presented with a full array of academic, wraparound and career services through the programs of this HSI project. Further, Ranger will institute a series of faculty and staff development programs which will aid in the delivery of services to the student body. 

“We are thankful for the support from the Department of Education, and our partnership with Marygrove Consulting. The grant will be transformative for our campuses and help students thrive in college and beyond,” said Ranger College president Derrick Worrels.

The Department of Education HSI program is designed for colleges and universities with a population of at least 25% Hispanic students. Ranger College competed with over 200 schools across the country and was one of 68 institutions to receive the funding. The five-year program has four key goals:

1. Increase enrollment and early success of Hispanic and low-income students. 
2. Increase retention rates for Hispanic and low-income students. 
3. Increase Hispanic and low-income students’ sense of “belonging” on campus. 
4. Increase graduation and transfer rates for Hispanic and low-income students.

 “With Ranger REACH we all win,” said President Worrels, “By improving our technology infrastructure, creating a dedicated space for student support and increasing the number of personnel dedicated to assisting our students to achieve, Ranger becomes a better, more supportive place for the student body and the community.”