The WCC Foundation is helping bridge the digital divide for students by committing $75,000 over the next three years to support the college’s Laptop Loan Program.
The program began during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure that students could continue their studies remotely. But what started as an emergency response has become a vital resource for hundreds of students each semester — particularly those balancing jobs, family responsibilities and coursework.
“Access to reliable technology remains one of the biggest barriers to success for many of our students,” said Thad Bowerman, manager of WCC’s Academic Success Center, which oversees the program.
“At the beginning of each semester, we typically run out of laptops within the first week. Students line up before we open on the first day of classes, and for some, this is their only real path to taking WCC courses at all.”
WCC Chief Philanthropy Officer Nikki Borges said the Foundation is proud to support programs that make education more accessible and impactful for students.
“The Laptop Loan Program is a great example of how philanthropy directly changes lives,” Borges said. “When students have the tools they need to learn – whether that’s a scholarship, emergency aid, or access to technology – they’re better equipped to stay on track and reach their goals. That’s what the WCC Foundation is all about.”
Along with adding more laptops to the program, the WCC Foundation’s new funding will allow the college to begin replacing a portion of the outdated inventory each year, ensuring students continue to have access to up-to-date equipment.
Laptops are available on a first-come, first-served basis from the Academic Success Center and can be checked out for the semester. The original devices were purchased through a grant during the pandemic, but many are now nearing the end of their life cycle.
Bowerman said the impact is both immediate and long-lasting.
“We know from surveys and conversations that these laptops make a real difference,” he said. “Access to a good laptop allows our students to improve their lives in important and measurable ways, and the Foundation’s support helps us continue and expand this essential program.”
Tags: WCC Foundation