EWC Promises Another First

By Talia Ashley, EWC Communications

For the first time in history, on April 24, 2018, Edward Waters College proudly announced the Edward Waters College Promise Program. As the first Historically Black College or University in the State of Florida to offer a Promise Program, and the second four-year institution in the nation that begins the Promise Program within the baccalaureate degree, local eligible students will receive a debt-free pathway to higher education. EWC Vice President for Institutional Advancement, Jennifer Silva, welcomed Senator Audrey Gibson; Representative Tracie Davis; Dr. Charles Moreland, Director of Community Affairs for Mayor Lenny Curry; Dr. Kelly Coker-Daniel, Assistant Superintendent for Duval County Public Schools; Chassidy Williams, Student Government Association President; Vice President of Alpha Chi Honor Society, Joy Miller, and other community stakeholders at the official launch of the first state-funded Promise Program.

“Congratulations to Edward Waters College for becoming the first historically black college in Florida and the second in the nation to offer a College Promise Program,” said Dr. Martha J. Kanter, the executive director of the College Promise Campaign and former United States Under Secretary for the Department of Education. She continued, “By reducing financial barriers for local high school graduates, the EWC Promise enhances the college-going culture in North Florida and provides students with an accessible and affordable pathway to a bachelor’s degree and the workforce. This program serves as inspiration for other public and private colleges who seek ways to broaden access to higher education so students can acquire the knowledge and skills they need without taking on a mountain of debt.”

Nathaniel Glover, the president of Edward Waters College stated, “I am ever so grateful to Jennifer Silva, Vice President for Institutional Advancement at the College, Senator Audrey Gibson, State Representative Tracie Davis, and members of the Duval Delegation who were instrumental in helping us create this wonderful initiative to lead Florida’s participation in national College Promise Programs. This begins with our ‘EWC is 1st campaign,’ as the first HBCU in Florida, and the first private school in Florida located on the first coast. The EWC Promise Program achieves another first milestone to the four-year Promise degree and will serve as a national Promise model for student success.”