What is a Title III Grant?
Title III Part A Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grants are federally awarded to higher education institutions to help them develop initiatives to increase their student success outcomes. Gordon State College’s Title III SIP grant (The Power of We: Constructing a First Year Student Success Ecosystem) began on October 1st 2024. Gordon State College's five-year Title III goals include increasing student success, persistence, and graduation rates through a comprehensive framework that will be implemented incrementally over the duration of the grant which is slated to officially end on September 30th, 2029.
Some of the main initiatives of the grant are faculty and advisor training, development and implementation of a yearly summer bridge program (GSC Leadership Development Academy), an effective intervention plan for students that are identified as in need of additional support, and the Title III Peer Mentors initiative to name a few. The project management team’s administration of the Title III grant is guided by three main strategies:
- Strategy 1: Enhance student support processes and functions
- Strategy 2: Provide training and resources to promote effective pedagogy, mentoring, and advising
- Strategy 3: Implement classroom best practices
The grant will be assessed via external and internal evaluation as well as measurable performance indicators and activity measures aligned with the project goals, strategies, and tasks.
Key Title III Personnel
Project Directors- Dr. Steve Raynie and Dr. Scott Shubitz
The Project Directors communicate understanding of project objectives to all constituencies and ensure that the project operation follows Title III, U. S. Department of Education regulations, Gordon State and University System of Georgia grant policies, and institutional development goals.
Title III Coordinator - Dr. William “Drew” Smith Jr.
The Title III Coordinator oversees the federal Title III grant project implementation across Gordon State College. This includes supervision of data collection and analysis, monitoring budget processes, overseeing faculty and staff development, as well as serving as liaison to internal and external stakeholders for initiatives related to the Title III grant. The Title III Coordinator also works with administration, faculty, and staff implement and institutionalize Title III activities.
Title III Project Assistant – Vacant (please apply here)
The Title III Project Assistant reports directly to the Title III Coordinator and supports the implementation and evaluation of Title III grant initiatives.
Title III News
Title III Newsletter - August 2025
Title III Newsletter - September 2025
Title III Newsletter - October 2025
Title III Newsletter - Nov - Dec 2025
Contacts
For questions concerning Title III initiatives please email:
Dr. Steven Raynie
Project Director
Dr. Scott Shubitz
Co-Director
Dr. William “Drew” Smith Jr.
Title III Coordinator