Molloy University has been awarded a highly competitive five-year Title III Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant from the U.S. Department of Education totaling $2,999,822. The grant will support the University's project, "Molloy University Career Pathways: Strengthening Student Success, Workforce Pipelines, and Institutional Capacity," through September 2031.
This significant federal investment will enhance student success, career readiness, workforce development, and institutional capacity, providing new resources that support students from enrollment through graduation and beyond.
"This award represents a transformational opportunity for Molloy University and our students," said Dr. James Lentini, President of Molloy University. "The grant will strengthen our ability to prepare students for meaningful careers, expand career-connected learning opportunities, support innovative teaching practices, and further our mission of empowering student success. We are deeply grateful to everyone whose dedication and hard work made this achievement possible."
The five-year initiative will:
- Expand career coaching and employer engagement opportunities
- Increase internships, mentoring programs, and experiential learning experiences
- Implement technology-enhanced student success and career support systems
- Establish a Master Teaching Program to strengthen faculty development and workforce-aligned educational practices
- Improve student persistence, graduation rates, workforce readiness, and post-graduation outcomes
The grant will also provide substantial new resources for the University, including funding for a full-time Title III Coordinator and two full-time Career Center Coaches. These professionals will provide individualized career coaching, internship preparation, employer engagement, and workforce readiness support for students.
The proposal was developed through a collaborative effort led by Dr. DJ Mitchell, Vice President for Mission Integration, who will serve as Project Director, and Elissa Sharp, Associate Provost for Planning and Strategic Analysis, who will serve as Co-Project Director. The University also recognizes the contributions of consulting partner MacAllister & Quinn, Dr. Audrey Cohan, Senior Dean for Research, Scholarship and Graduate Studies, and Deborah Waldron, Director of Grants and Sponsored Programs, whose leadership and coordination were instrumental throughout the process.
“We are excited about what this opportunity could mean for our students,” said Donald “DJ” Mitchell, Jr., Ph.D., Vice President for Mission Integration and Project Director. “At Molloy, helping students earn a degree and helping them see where that degree can take them are part of the same commitment. Through this proposal, we hope to bring faculty, advisors, career coaches, and employers together so that students have the support and real-world experiences they need to persist, graduate, and pursue meaningful careers. That is the vision behind Molloy’s Title III initiatives, and we are eager to make it a reality.
Notably, the entire proposal was developed and submitted in less than five weeks under an exceptionally compressed timeline, reflecting the commitment, collaboration, and determination of the project team.
As Molloy prepares for the October 1, launch date, the University looks forward to implementing initiatives that will strengthen student outcomes, deepen employer partnerships, and ensure that graduates continue to thrive in an evolving workforce.
This award marks another significant milestone in Molloy's continued momentum and commitment to providing students with an exceptional educational experience and a clear pathway to career success.
