Dr. Vincent June, SLCC chancellor, and Ryhan Wheeler, Boys and Girls Club of Acadiana CEO signed a new partnership agreement Monday afternoon between the college and the clubs.
LAFAYETTE – A partnership between Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana and South Louisiana Community College will give distinguished youths and BGCA employees within the college’s footprint financial help to pay for college.
BGCA employees attending SLCC will now be able to access an additional $500 per semester from the college, for up to four semesters. The nonprofit also selects a distinguished youth from each of its sites, or clubhouses, to compete for its top Youth of the Year. Each club’s distinguished youth will receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend SLCC.
2021 distinguished youths from each club include:
- Aziana Gobert, Granberry Club, Lafayette
- Devin Segura, Jackie Club, Lafayette
- Mckinsey Nicholas, Vermilion Club, Abbeville
- Zykeiveyun Narcisse, Iberia Club, New Iberia
Zykeiveyun, BGCA’s Acadiana Youth of the Year, enrolled in SLCC in August majoring in Business Administration. He will receive the $1,000 tuition assistance as a result of this new partnership.
“Thanks to SLCC and their leadership, we are thrilled to be able to offer our youth and employees the opportunity to further their education with tuition assistance,” said Rhyan Wheeler, chief executive officer of Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana. “The partnership opens doors for our youth who may not have considered a degree and allows our biggest asset, our staff, the opportunity to further their education. It’s a win-win!”
“So much of the work and mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs align with ours at SLCC,” said Dr. Vincent June, SLCC chancellor. “As we both work to give individuals opportunities to build great futures, this partnership in promoting education just made sense. We cannot wait to welcome BGCA youths and employees at any of our nine campuses in Acadiana.”
The tuition assistance, which applies to SLCC’s for-credit courses that lead to technical diplomas and associate degrees, will begin for the current Fall 2021 semester. Part-time students working for BGCA will be able to access an additional $250 per semester for up to four semesters.
SLCC has solidified similar educational partnerships with MacLaff, Inc., and Miller Management, Inc., family-owned businesses of local McDonald’s restaurants throughout South Louisiana.
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About Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana
Boys and Girls Clubs of Acadiana (BGCA) is a local organization that changes lives by enabling all young people, especially those who need us most to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. BGCA offers a safe place for young people to learn and grow, to develop ongoing relationships with caring adult professionals, a sense of hope and opportunity. BGCA offers year round programs for children 6 to 18 in Education and Career Development, Arts, Health and Life Skills, Sports, Fitness & Recreation, Character and Leadership Development. For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana, please visit www.bgcacadiana.com.
About Acadiana’s Community College
South Louisiana Community College is a comprehensive community college that operates campuses in Abbeville, Crowley, Franklin, Lafayette, Morgan City, New Iberia, Opelousas, St. Martinville, and Ville Platte. The college serves more than 17,000 students annually and offers an array of academic programs. Students earn associate degrees, technical diplomas, certificates, and industry-based certifications. It is ranked 14th among the Top 100 Associate Degree Producers as determined by Community College Week.