California Community Colleges OEI

The Contra Costa Community College District was awarded nearly $1.5 million in grants for distance education. Of this total amount, Diablo Valley College received $500,000. 

Funding was awarded by the Improving Online CTE Pathways Grants program, through the California Virtual Campus – Online Education Initiative (CVC-OEI).

Kat King and Anne Kingsley

From left to right, Kat King and Anne Kingsley, two members of the team who worked on the grant.

“Our students have many lives. They are workers, thinkers, family members, and students. Online education serves these many lives with enhanced learning options,” said Dr. Anne Kingsley, distance education coordinator at DVC.

“Online learning is changing. Educators are creating online classes that are just as dynamic as an in-person class,” said Kingsley. 

The grant will be used to support online classes and programs. One example is DVC’s new online digital marketing program.

“We are really focusing on career education. We are also creating a mentor program for online instructors. A new student readiness module will help students prepare,” said Kingsley.

Existing career education courses will also receive a boost with an increase in online general education selections designed to help students earn their certificates and degrees faster.

“One of the main goals is to increase student success in underserved groups. We are including these voices in our trainings and materials,” said Kingsley.

Kingsley notes the grant provides the chance to work with other programs. Some of these programs include guided pathways, equity, disabled student services, Strong Workforce Program, and more. 

For more, visit www.dvc.edu/online-education/