Salisbury, MD - Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury has officially caught national attention for its dedication to student success. The college has recently been selected as one of seven community colleges nationwide to participate in an important initiative, Accelerating Equitable Outcomes, led by the national nonprofit Achieving the Dream (ATD).

ATD, a well-known organization committed to improving student outcomes, has chosen Wor-Wic and six other community colleges to focus on enhancing student experiences and outcomes at rural-serving institutions. The move is designed to address the needs of America's often under-resourced rural communities that are crucial for the country's economic and fiscal health. 

ATD president and CEO Dr. Karen A. Stout highlights the importance of this initiative, "This newly-formed cohort will work closely with ATD coaches and experts over a three-year span. The aim is to increase institutional capacity, provide dynamic student supports inside and outside the classroom, analyze data to better understand student needs, and develop a sustainable action plan for continued student success."

The initiative will tackle prominent themes such as advising reform, reducing equity gaps through disaggregated data, and reimagining community partnerships. 

Reacting to the selection, Dr. Deborah Casey, president of Wor-Wic, expressed the college's excitement, "Wor-Wic is committed to transforming the lives of our students and our community. Being a part of this cohort gives us the opportunity to accelerate equitable outcomes and aid more students in achieving upward economic and social mobility."

The college's selection to join the Achieving the Dream network, which includes over 300 campuses nationwide, reinforces Wor-Wic's commitment to holistic student success.

This initiative is partially funded by a generous donation from MacKenzie Scott to ATD in 2021, further demonstrating the national support for higher education in rural communities.