Villa Maria College has received a grant from The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation in support of the college’s Achieve Program for students with learning differences. Only two percent of colleges and universities nation-wide offer programs of this type. The $136, 252 award will help support the program during the first three years of operation.
The Achieve Program provides specialized services to students with learning differences to support each individual in the transition to college. Students will gain confidence as they develop effective self-advocacy and goal-setting skills, which prepares them for academic and social success during college and their careers.
Students in the program receive extensive one-on-one support from tutors and advisors, and specialized programming. Additional benefits include priority registration, expanded use of adaptive equipment, and specialized communication with parents.
Melissa Zgliczynski serves as director of the program, and will supervise the staff of professional tutors. The program will be housed in the recently renovated second floor of Felician Hall.
The Peter and Elizabeth C. Tower Foundation supports community programming that results in children, adolescents, and young adults affected by substance abuse, learning disabilities, mental illness, and intellectual disabilities achieving their full potential. The Foundation is dedicated to societal impact through healthy communities and capacity building.
A private, co-educational, Catholic college, Villa Maria provides the premiere student-centered experience in Western New York. Students learn and grow with a culturally diverse population and a culture that lives its ideals of truth, charity, and unity.
