Approximately 69 percent of St. Petersburg College’s (SPC) diverse student population of more than 47,000 students, ranging from 16 to 95 years old, have low to moderate income. Low-income students often face barriers to success, including transportation.
The Kresge Foundation awarded SPC a $50,000 planning grant for Advancing Student Transportation Solutions to understand student transportation challenges and how those barriers affect their ability to continue their education.
This grant will allow SPC to address the need for equity and access in local transit through support of the St. Pete Campus Connect Partnership (SPCCP). This task force of community partners includes the City of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce, Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA), the Tampa Bay College Access Network, Community Foundation of Tampa Bay and Forward Pinellas.
“The average college student is met with many challenges before entering the classroom, which often includes transportation,” said SPC President Dr. Tonjua Williams. “Through the generous support of The Kresge Foundation and the opportunity to collaborate with SPCCP, we’re looking forward to examining how we can strengthen our communities through improved access to higher education.”
The task force will work together to evaluate transit access for SPC students and residents, with specific emphasis on the four learning sites/campuses located in the City of St. Petersburg. Utilizing shared resources and engaging current, past and potential students, the project funding will support a consultant to evaluate current and past initiatives, conduct surveys and focus groups and develop recommendations for solutions. This collaborative effort will help inform and develop a plan for alternative transportation solutions based on the voice of the community.
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