FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 25, 2020
CONTACT: Chandra Scott | cscott@maef.net
Pack Education Launches Ignite Pilot to Provide Virtual Support to College Students
The 16-week virtual program ensures students in the 75,000 Degrees Talent Hub have individualized resources and techniques to improve performance and career readiness.
MOBILE, AL (August 25, 2020) – Today the Mobile Area Education Foundation and its 75,000 Degrees partners are excited to announce the launching of Ignite Powered by Pack Education, a virtual academic coaching pilot, to support students at Bishop State Community College, Coastal Alabama Community College and the University of South Alabama.
Pack Education, a subsidiary to digital health coaching company Pack Health, applies a digital coaching model to academic advising to increase the graduation rate in Alabama. The innovative initiative creates infrastructure to enhance support for students who may be at high-risk of drop-out through one-on-one engagement. The Ignite program is funded by The Alabama Power Foundation, Ratliff Charitable Foundation, Regions Foundation, and Alabama Community College System. Mobile Area Education Foundation has also been an integral part of the program’s implementation.
The innovative initiative creates infrastructure to enhance support for students who may be at high-risk of drop-out through one-on-one engagement. This virtual support is essential when most campuses are offering hybrid course offerings, which limits on-campus presence, due to COVID-19.
“While national collegiate graduation rates stand at an average of 60 percent, only four of 27 public and private four-year institutions in Alabama meet or exceed this average,” says M’Kayl Lewis, Vice President of Member Services at Pack Education. “The extra support will be instrumental for Alabama students, particularly at a time when they’re learning to navigate a new version of college life created by the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Selected students will be paired with an Ignite Academic Coach during the 16-week virtual program for the Fall 2020 semester. Ignite Academic Coaches provide an average of 40 touchpoints, per student, per quarter over text messages, emails, phone calls and social media to provide focus, encouragement, and accountability. This structure provides an additional layer of support as students navigate shifting learning environments due to COVID-19.
The completion of a college degree is directly correlated to building personal value, wealth, and improving economic development. There is extensive evidence that supports the impact of a post-secondary degree on improved employment outcomes and earning potential for individuals as much as 37%.
“The Ignite program is an integral piece to ensuring we reach our goal of 75,000 Degrees by 2030,” said Chandra Scott, Director of Strategic Outcomes at the Mobile Area Education Foundation. “Today’s college students are faced with many challenges and having a multi-tiered support system in place, whether on or off campus, is vital to their attainment of a credential or degree.”
“Sometimes students just need affirmation that they matter, someone cares about their goals, and that they are achievable,” said Alabama Community College Systems Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker. “Ignite will provide that extra attention through a meaningful mentorship in a way that students are most familiar – their phones. This one-on-one, weekly engagement will help students stay focused on achieving their individual goals, while identifying any roadblocks and providing solutions that will lead them to success.”
###
About Mobile Area Education Foundation
The Mobile Area Education Foundation is a county-wide partnership of citizens, businesses, local public school systems, colleges and public agencies working together to ensure that all the children of Mobile County are given the opportunity to succeed. Its mission is to build community responsibility for improving public education outcomes in Mobile County. Visit, www.maef.net
About 75,000 Degrees Initiative
The 75,000 Degrees Initiative is a post-secondary attainment agenda success plan which will guide the collective goal of doubling the number of Mobile citizens with degrees and credentials by 2030. The 75,000 Degrees Blueprint outlines challenges, recommendations and measurable outcomes to students Getting READY, Getting IN and Getting THROUGH post-secondary pathways. The Blueprint also provides a Call to Action for all stakeholders to ensure the sustainability and success of this community reaching 75,000 Degrees. Visit, www.maef.net, for more information.
About Pack Education
Pack Education is a digital academic coaching company built to improve education and career readiness with assistance and content focused on course load, financial literacy, mental health, time management, and physical health and nutrition. Visit https://ignite.packedu.com/
About Regions Foundation
Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grant-making program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.
About Alabama Power Foundation
Since its creation in 1989 with funds donated by shareholders, the Alabama Power Foundation has supported Alabama communities, educational institutions and nonprofits through more than 20,000 grants and scholarships using non-ratepayer dollars.