Cuesta 170Cuesta College students will directly benefit from a $20,000 grant recently awarded by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) through the Cuesta College Foundation. The “Supporting Student Success” grant will provide critical assistance for students, employees and the local community via the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program, Cuesta’s Assistance for Student Emergencies (CASE) Fund and Tutorial Services.

“We are proud to give back to the communities in which we live in and serve,” said Pat Mullen, PG&E’s local division director. “Our partnership with Cuesta College has been a successful one and we are pleased to continue supporting these types of valuable student programs. Not only do students benefit, but so does the entire community, including local employers who benefit from a well-trained workforce.”

The EMS Program, which serves approximately 230 students per year, received $10,000. The program relies on Professional Experts (PE) to provide the delivery of course content and to enhance the skills training portion of the program. The PG&E funding will provide approximately 528 PE hours for the Paramedic Program and 285 PE hours for the Emergency Medical Technician Program.

$5,000 was gifted to the CASE Fund, which provides temporary financial assistance to students who are unable to meet immediate, essential expenses because of hardship related to an emergency situation. The funding will provide for up to 10-20 emergency grants.

The college’s Tutorial Services also received $5,000. Cuesta College’s tutorial service center is designed to help students succeed in their coursework by providing access to information and supplemental instruction. The funds will provide approximately 500 hours of tutoring; ensuring students have a greater opportunity for success.