(FLINT, Mich.) – Mott Community College (MCC) will officially cut the ribbon on the Lenore Croudy Family Life Center (LCFLC), named in memory of former Board Chair Lenore Croudy, at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31, on the main campus, in Flint.
The college will also unveil its new Mobile Learning Lab (MLL), a modified 48-foot long, expandable semi-trailer that will enable the college to take an innovative approach to meeting student and workforce needs by providing access to modular, mobile classrooms as an alternative to traditional, on-site classrooms. The MLL will allow MCC to take training into neighborhoods and communities where there is limited access to job training, and offer customized corporate training activities onsite.
“Opening the Lenore Croudy Family Life Center on campus and launching the Mobile Learning Lab exemplifies our commitment to our students by reducing the barriers and challenges that impede their success,” said MCC President, Dr. Beverly Walker-Griffea.
MCC completed a $10.3 million renovation of the former Woodside Church building in 2020, creating a center for wrap-around services to address the unmet critical needs that often undermine students’ academic success. The grand opening was postponed until now due to COVID restrictions.
Lenore Croudy served on the Mott Community College Board of Trustees for 29 years, 20 of which she served as board chair. She was a tireless advocate for all forms of education and a champion for the personal needs of students and their families. Lenore Croudy passed away January 19, 2017.
The LCFLC serves as a resource hub, helping MCC students and their families address such basic needs as food through Mott Eats Food Pantry, clothing needs through Ellen’s Closet and case management to help with housing, transportation, mental health support and virtual support groups such as the New & Expectant Mom support group and Alateen.
Since October 2019, the LCFLC Mott Eats Food Pantry has distributed 97,000 pounds of food to 2,170 students experiencing food insecurity. This food also supported dependent family members totaling 6,507 people. Ellen’s Closet provided clothing, shoes and personal items to more than 135 students. Since moving into the LCFLC in 2020, staff have served 727 students with case management. Additionally, Center staff helped more than 3,500 students navigate CARES Act funding, helped 32 students secure internet service and distributed 174 Chromebooks to students without access to technology to enable them to continue their studies. The Student Emergency Fund is also managed through the LCFLC, assisting students experiencing an unforeseen financial crises that could impact their ability to stay in college. So far, $28,127 has been disbursed to help 111 students through financial emergencies such as car repair, utility bills, rent and medical bills.
The renovation expanded the college’s nationally ranked Early Childhood Learning Center (ECLC), enabling the program to increase enrollment and to serve children from 6 months old to 5 years of age. Previously the ECLC was only able to serve children aged 2-5 years old.
The LCFLC renovation was funded by a $3 million grant from the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, proceeds from the sale of $6.3 million in voter-approved bonds and $941,000 in college general funds. A donor wall recognizing all donations to support the LCFLC will be unveiled at the grand opening.
The Mobile Learning Lab will make education and training more accessible by eliminating transportation and technology barriers. It contains two rooms representing almost 1,000 square feet of usable space. It is managed by MCC’s Workforce and Economic Development Division.
One expandable (side) is a classroom with 12 screens and capacity for 22 students (in pre-Covid measures). Each student on the classroom side will have access to a Chromebook. The middle section and other expandable portion is an advanced manufacturing lab that can provide training for a variety of advance manufacturing programs including, but not limited to: welding, machining, robotics, mechatronics and production. The unit will also provide training in literacy, information technology and adult education.
Mott Community College (MCC) is committed to excellence in education and offering services that cultivate student success and improve the overall quality of life in a multicultural community. With almost 100 academic and occupational degree programs, Mott helps students prepare to achieve more in an ever-changing economy. Through university transfer agreements, high-demand associate’s degree programs and one-year certification programs, MCC helps ensure that all Mott students are ready to get more out of life.
