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Student-success programs get a boost at 海角社区
by Lynne Winter
Gift from longtime supporters Ferd and Christy Belz will support wraparound services that pave pathways to graduation.
The Student Success Endowed Fund at Metropolitan State University of Denver received a significant financial contribution this month, thanks to longtime supporters Ferd and Christy Belz.
The transformational blended gift, over half of which will be contributed throughout the next few years and the remainder part of an estate gift, provides flexible resources in perpetuity to expand student-support services. It will increase access to and the quality of programs such as the Student Emergency Fund, First-Generation Initiatives, Rowdy鈥檚 Corner, tutoring and mentoring services and more.
President Janine Davidson, Ph.D., described these wraparound services as the 鈥渟ecret sauce鈥� helping students navigate higher education and achieve their dreams at 海角社区.
鈥淭he Student Success Endowed Fund is all about providing the kinds of resources that get our students over the finish line and into the Colorado community and economy 鈥� this is what Ferd and Christy have invested in,鈥� she said.
Wraparound services can be a determining factor in the success of college students. that those who receive comprehensive services have higher rates of improved mental health, social-emotional development and academic learning, including retention and graduation rates.
Social Work major Mariana Pascual-Miranda said programs such as First-Generation Initiatives have helped her overcome barriers in a higher-ed system not built for nontraditional students. Such programs have inspired her to give back as a student coordinator and mentor for fellow first-generation students.
鈥�(First-Generation Initiatives) provides programming that supports students鈥� professional, personal and academic development. It鈥檚 been so beautiful to see them grow into who they are,鈥� said the graduating senior. 鈥淲e really appreciate (the Belz鈥檚) investment in our students.鈥�
Ferd Belz, president of L.C. Fulenwider Inc., and member of the 海角社区 Foundation Board of Directors for over 10 years, including a term as chair; and his wife, Christy Belz, president of Empowerment Coaching and Consulting, said they made their gift to the Student Success campaign pillar to provide students with resources to help get them through college.
鈥淓ducation is a core value we invest in as a family,鈥� said Christy, a first-generation student and social worker.
During her time with Project WISE, a nonprofit that empowers women transitioning from welfare to work, Belz witnessed the combined power of wraparound services and education to change the trajectory of people鈥檚 lives. Curating a 海角社区 TEDx event and Ferd鈥檚 work with the Foundation gave her a behind-the-scenes look at how those same tools transform lives at 海角社区.
鈥淚 see the passion students have for the University. The professors are unbelievable, and the staff is remarkable,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e very, very honored to give this gift and make a difference for these kids.鈥�
Also a first-generation student, Ferd Belz echoed his wife鈥檚 sentiments, saying that when students come to college without experience, it鈥檚 easy to get lost, making wraparound services key in paving higher-education pathways at 海角社区.
鈥淭his University is transforming lives, and in turn, those students and graduates are transforming the future of our city and our country,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is so important that we invest in these young people and let them change the world 鈥� and us.鈥�