Citrus College received a College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA) grant to encourage under-represented students in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in 2008.

The campus’ STEM Center was opened one year later. Last Thursday, Citrus College held a press conference to announce that it had been awarded a $4,285,000 Title V Hispanic Serving Institution grant by the United States Department of Education. The grant will be paid over 5 years with the school slated to receive $870,000 in the first year. “All the good work that we’ve been doing will continue,”

Citrus College President and Superintendent Geraldine Perri told students on Thursday. “We were one of 122 two-year and 4-year colleges to get the grant and this is significant because there are only 1200 community colleges in the nation. This is a big deal and this will help you prepare to be the next scientist, engineer or mathematician. It’s all about you students.”

See our complete story in the Wednesday edition.