Not only was Southwestern Michigan College President Dr. Joe Odenwald on Wednesday afternoon’s call with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona announcing the final $198 million in Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) grants, SMC was cited as one of three “best practices” examples nationally.
Reflecting on the call, Odenwald said, “I think this speaks really well to the deliberate efforts of our financial aid staff to ensure that these taxpayer dollars were equitably distributed to the students who had the most demonstrated need.”
Biden, Cardona and American Rescue Plan (ARP) Coordinator Gene Sperling joined leaders from the Community College of Philadelphia, Coahoma Community College in Clarksdale, Miss., and SMC highlighting positive impacts from ARP, which President Biden signed in March 2021 to provide almost $40 billion in relief funds to colleges and universities, directly helping thousands of students impacted by the pandemic.
“Each of these colleges has an amazing story to tell about how they are helping students realize their ambitions and strengthening our workforce and economy, building better lives for themselves and their families,” the first lady said.
A.J. Evans, an SMC accounting student from Cassopolis who works in the business office as a student accounts specialist and graduates this December, told federal officials, “I started my education in 2019. Immediately after starting spring semester, our campus was closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I was a student worker and, unfortunately, our positions were suspended during that time. My first CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security) allowed me to pay my rent. I was also able to purchase a computer because we had a sudden shift from in-person classes. One important thing to me was making sure our internet was paid every month to continue school from home.”
When the first-generation college student’s job returned, tuition and personal expenses consumed much of his income. “I really didn’t have the money to take care of things like car maintenance, which is an absolute necessity living in a rural area. But after receiving HEERF money, I was able to get my car fixed. That allowed me to continue going to school and working here at the college,” Evans said.
“Speaking for all of the students at Southwestern Michigan College,” Evans said, “we’re privileged and grateful to have received this funding. It’s made a big difference in all of our lives. I thank everyone for not forgetting about rural colleges.”
Odenwald, who became president 10 weeks prior to the shutdown, said, “I’m proud to say that over the last 2 ½ years, thanks to the federal relief, including ARP, we have distributed over $4 million directly to students to take care of all of their needs that might be arising.
“Prior to the pandemic, we had never offered an online course,” Odenwald noted. “We invested heavily in technology, such as advising tools to onboard students and get their courses in a virtual atmosphere. It’s made a transformative impact. For example, half of our students this summer are taking courses online.
“With additional dollars, we want to provide laptops for those who don’t have them and continue providing re-engagement funds so students stay on the pathway to success so they can enjoy the American dream that should be available to all of us.”
“This $198 million is reserved for the institutions with the greatest unmet needs to ensure that they can stay open and keep students enrolled and help them stay on track to graduate,” Biden said.
Grants will assist students attending 244 colleges and universities — including more than 100 community colleges. Of funds awarded July 13, almost 90 percent will go toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), community colleges, rural institutions and institutions serving large populations of low-income students.
The majority of institutions are also required to distribute roughly half of all grant funds directly to students with the greatest need, which helps provide additional support for housing, tuition support, addressing food insecurity and other basic needs.
“The three colleges we have here today were not chosen at random,” Sperling said. “They are what we consider among the best practices of the winners.”
