Miles College Awarded $50,000 Grant to Strengthen Student Retention, Workforce Readiness, and Public Safety Initiatives
Fairfield, AL – June 2, 2025 — Miles College has been awarded $50,000 through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham’s 2025 Grant Cycle I to support the expansion of its Workforce and College Completion Project. This vital funding will further the College’s commitment to student retention, adult learner success, and workforce development—with an emphasis on first responder and campus safety recruitment efforts.
The grant will directly fund retention grants for students facing financial hardship, extend access to academic advising, career counseling, and mental health resources, and support new community outreach strategies. Additionally, students will gain access to industry-relevant certifications aimed at increasing employability and economic mobility.
“The Community Foundation is excited to invest in Miles College’s vital mission to not only keep students in school, but ensure they graduate equipped to excel in today’s competitive workforce. This grant is more than support—it’s a strategic investment in student achievement, workforce readiness, and economic mobility. Through its College Workforce and Completion Project, Miles College is igniting opportunity, driving meaningful change for students, and strengthening the future of Birmingham,” said Christopher Nanni, President and CEO.
“This award is not only a testament to the innovation and relevance of our student success model—it is a lifeline to many of our students who are one crisis away from leaving college,” said President Bobbie Knight. “We are proud that these funds will directly impact those who need it most, while also strengthening our capacity to prepare the next generation of professionals—including those in public safety, through targeted recruitment of future first responders.”
The Workforce and College Completion Project is a cross-departmental initiative aligned with the College’s broader mission to serve both traditional students and adult learners. The grant also supports the College’s commitment to regional economic development through intentional employer partnerships and job placement pipelines.
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About the College: Founded in 1898, Miles College is located in Fairfield, Alabama. We are a private, liberal arts, Historically Black College with roots in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The College, through dedicated faculty, cultivates students to seek knowledge that leads to intellectual and civic empowerment. Students are transformed through rigorous study, scholarly inquiry, and spiritual awareness, thereby enabling graduates to become responsible citizens who help shape the global society. Miles College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
