Western New England University (WNE) has been awarded a nearly $3 million federal Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to enhance student success initiatives, expand career-connected learning, and improve retention and graduation outcomes, particularly for first-generation and low-income students. Awarded through a competitive federal grant process, the five-year funding award represents a significant investment in WNE's efforts to strengthen student support, career readiness, and long-term student success.
The Title III Strengthening Institutions Program supports colleges and universities serving significant populations of economically disadvantaged students by helping them improve academic quality, institutional effectiveness, and student outcomes. WNE's project focuses on creating a more connected student experience through enhanced advising, expanded career readiness opportunities, and supported professional development for faculty and staff.
WNE's proposal was selected under the U.S. Department of Education's Competitive Preference Priority for Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness, a designation that recognizes innovative approaches to preparing students for success in a rapidly evolving workforce. The project builds on WNE's established strengths in internships, employer engagement, and career outcomes by building strong pathways to those experiences for students during their first two years, helping them connect their academic experiences to future careers much earlier in their college experience.
"This investment will allow us to build on many of our strengths while addressing the evolving needs of today's students," said Joseph C. Hartman, president of Western New England University. "Our goal is to ensure every student, particularly those who are the first in their family to attend college or who face financial barriers, has the support, guidance, and opportunities needed to thrive academically and professionally."
"The workforce landscape is changing faster than ever, and students are making four-year educational investments in a future that is difficult to predict," said Lisa Celovsky, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. "Our proposal responded directly to the federal Career Pathways and Workforce Readiness priority by moving career preparation earlier in the student experience. By helping students explore career paths, connect with employers and mentors, and develop adaptable professional skills from their first year onward, we are preparing them not only for today's workforce, but also for a future that continues to evolve."
The grant will support three major initiatives:
Expanding Student Success Supports
WNE will enhance academic and career advising through the addition of dedicated advisors, implementation of a new advising platform, faculty advisor development, peer educator programs, financial literacy education, and expansion of the University's Success First program. These efforts are designed to help students navigate academic challenges, connect with campus resources, and stay on track toward graduation.
Connecting Learning to Careers Earlier
The project will infuse career exploration and workforce preparation into the first two years of the student experience. Career-related assignments, experiential learning opportunities, mentorship connections, internship preparation, and a new career development certificate program will help students better understand how their academic experiences connect to future careers.
Building Institutional Capacity
Faculty and staff will be supported to participate in professional development focused on evidence-based advising, pedagogical approaches that promote student engagement andcareer readiness, and strategies for supporting first-generation and low-income students. The initiative also will leverage new technologies and data tools to identify students who may need additional support and deliver timely interventions.
The grant builds on several existing strengths at WNE, including its recently launched Golden Bear Discovery general education curriculum, small class sizes, strong employer partnerships, and demonstrated success in preparing graduates for the workforce. WNE hosted four career fairs during the 2025-2026 academic year involving 130 employers and more than 825 students. Since Fall 2023, students have completed 480 internships at 274 sites, primarily throughout Western Massachusetts. The Title III project seeks to extend these proven workforce-development practices to students much earlier in their college experience.
According to the University's proposal, the project aims to increase first-year retention rates, improve four- and six-year graduation rates, and significantly expand participation in career-related learning opportunities among first- and second-year students. Grant-supported initiatives will be integrated into University operations to ensure long-term sustainability beyond the grant period.
The award reflects federal confidence in Western New England University's student-centered approach and reinforces the institution's strategic focus on student success, career readiness, and expanding opportunity for first-generation and low-income students. The Title III grant will help WNE build on its longstanding commitment to helping students persist, graduate, and succeed in meaningful careers.
