MEDIA, PA — In a significant boost for higher education in Delaware County, Aqua Pennsylvania, an Essential Utilities company, has donated $75,000 to the Delaware County Community College. This generous contribution will support the College’s Student Resource Center, a vital hub that provides comprehensive services aimed at reducing barriers to student success.
The donation, made through the company’s Essential Foundation, aims to underscore Aqua Pennsylvania’s commitment to supporting education and bolstering community resources. As a result of this gift, the Student Resource Centers at both the Marple Campus and the future Southeast Campus in Drexel Hill will be renamed the “Essential Student Resource Center.”
The Student Resource Center plays a crucial role in the college experience, supporting students from the day they enroll through graduation and beyond. Administered by the College’s Office of Student Outreach and Support, the center offers a variety of services, including textbook assistance, peer-to-peer mentoring, transportation assistance, emergency grants for unexpected financial emergencies, and other academic and non-academic support.
The significance of this donation extends far beyond the walls of the college. By supporting a resource that caters to the unmet needs of students, Aqua Pennsylvania is investing in the future workforce of Delaware and Chester Counties. The company’s gift will help ensure that more students have the resources they need to succeed academically, graduate, and contribute positively to their communities.
Marta Yera Cronin, Ed.D., president of Delaware County Community College, hailed the donation as a critical step towards improving graduation, retention, and completion rates. She added, “We are grateful to Aqua Pennsylvania for their support in our mission to provide equitable access to higher education.”
Notably, the food pantry, which accounts for 70% of Student Resource Center visits, is a testament to the center’s importance. Since its opening in 2020, the center has seen a surge in student visits from 1,000 in its first year to 2,500 last year. The pantry provides students with not just non-perishable food but also toiletries, school supplies, and gently worn professional attire.
Kendrick Mickens, Ed.D., director of the College’s Student Outreach and Support, lauded Aqua Pennsylvania’s gift, stating, “This generous gift will help us continue to provide vital resources that meet the diverse needs of our students.”
Marc Lucca, president of Aqua Pennsylvania, expressed pride in the company’s donation, saying, “As a company founded in Delaware County in 1886, we’re honored to make this donation which will reinforce our commitment to bring positive change to this community.”
The check presentation ceremony was attended by former Essential Utilities’ Chief Administrative Officer, Sue Haindl. As a distinguished alumna, professor, and commencement speaker, Haindl celebrated the partnership aimed at providing essential resources to improve student outcomes.
In a time when many students face significant financial and personal challenges, Aqua Pennsylvania’s gift to Delaware County Community College is more than a donation—it’s an investment in the future of the local community and its young leaders.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.