Widener University reinforces its commitment to community services and educational access

Widener Press Release

The Chester Higher Education Council Board recently approved the dissolution of the organization, effective in mid-2018.  As member institutions of the Chester Higher Education Council transition out of their council model, Widener University is reinforcing its commitment to providing community services and educational access to the people of Chester.

The council, known as CHEC, was formed more than a decade ago by Cheyney University of Pennsylvania, Delaware County Community College, Neumann University, Pennsylvania State University Brandywine, Swarthmore College, and Widener University. Together, they operated the College Access Center of Delaware County, located on East 21^st Street in Chester. Under the transition plan, the College Access Center will close on June 30, 2018, as the council is set to disband that month.

Widener President Julie E. Wollman said that the CHEC board’s decision has no impact on the university’s support for college readiness initiatives.

“Widener University remains deeply committed to supporting and improving college access for high school students in Chester and across Delaware County,” she said. “We see these changes as an opportunity to remove geographic barriers to services for those who lacked transportation to the College Access Center of Delaware County.”

As always, Widener remains open to opportunities for future collaboration. The university looks forward to learning the results of a study being conducted by two major community agencies to explore ways to provide services to high school students.

In addition to a large complement of existing services, Widener began delivering additional educational services to the community this fall, in a way that serves area students directly where they study.

The university began sending Widener undergraduate students into Chester High School three days a week, where they tutor and mentor high school students. They also provide college preparation services, such as help with the college search and application processes. In addition, Widener students provide after-school tutoring at the Boys & Girls Club of Chester, which is available to students up to age 18.

Gretchen Mielke, assistant dean in the Office for Civic Engagement, oversees the efforts.

“This volunteer work is really meaningful for our Widener undergraduates. It helps them share their knowledge and experiences with students who benefit from what they have to offer. They are able to give back to the community by assisting students who need additional academic support while they plan for the future,” said Mielke.

Junior finance major DeShawn Ivey, who helped get the programming at Chester High School started, said he wants to be a role model for the students. He saw the effects of crime and poverty while growing up in Philadelphia.

“We’re taking time out of our personal lives for this, and we explain how it’s possible to go to college after high school,” he said.

In addition to this work, the university operates the Widener Partnership Charter School in Chester. The K-8 school, which is Pennsylvania’s first university-based charter school, is dedicated to enabling students to become self-motivated, competent, lifelong learners. Students who are promoted to high school from the charter school are eligible for grants of $25,000 a year for four years to pursue their undergraduate education full time at Widener.

Widener’s Community Engaged Teacher Education program pairs undergraduate education students with teachers at Stetser Elementary School in Chester, where they spend mornings in elementary classrooms supporting the school’s literacy program. Teacher candidates also pair with community mentors who help them learn about the city’s values and culture, and how that influences the lives of their elementary students. To date, more than 35 Widener students have been part of the program since it debuted.

Widener signed an agreement with the city of Chester in April 2017 that offers hundreds of city employees, their spouses and dependents discounted tuition for degree programs offered through its Center for Continuing Studies. Eligible programs include associate’s degrees in six concentrations, bachelor’s degrees in eight concentrations and Master of Education degrees in three concentrations, with discounts up to 50 percent for standard tuition for the online Master of Education programs.

The university’s dedication to the community shines through these efforts and more. Consistently, Widener students contribute more than 108,000 hours of community service, worth more than $2.5 million each year, to the Chester community.

“Widener’s commitment to supporting education and well-being in a safe and healthy community is steadfast,” Wollman said. “The university’s connection to Chester remains as strong as ever.”