United Way grant helping Adult Ed students

Businesswoman writing the words adult educationBlack Hawk College recently received a United Way grant that will help Adult Education students transition to online education.

“COVID-19 presented many challenges for the Adult Education program as we relied almost exclusively on in-person instruction,” said Glenda Nicke, Dean of Adult and Continuing Education.

Converting to more distance education revealed just how wide the digital divide was for most students. Many lacked both the equipment and the internet connections required for distance learning.

The $26,440 grant from United Way Quad Cities will be used to purchase 20 laptops and 30 hotspots to loan to students as well as 30 seats in both Burlington English and Essential Education online courses. The seats can be reused as students complete units of instruction and move to another level.
United Way Quad Cities logo

Adult Education classes are non-credit and provided at no cost to learners who qualify. Students gain basic academic skills that assist them in transitioning to employment, training and postsecondary education.

The United Way grant comes just as the college will be celebrating Adult Education and Family Literacy Week Sept. 20-26.

“The Black Hawk College Adult Education program is grateful for this very timely support from United Way,” Nicke said.

“We are working to keep our students engaged in the learning pathways that will lead them to more advanced education and improved employment opportunities,” she said.

Get more information about Black Hawk College’s Adult Education programs.