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Bridging gaps, building futures: Grant boosts digital access for adult learners

Published on Jul 2, 2025

By Rachel Adkins

������ý Community and Technical College is expanding digital access for adult learners, thanks to a recently awarded grant aimed at bridging the technology gap.

The grant, awarded to the ������ý Foundation for the Adult Education program from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation, totals to $9,460. 

Funds will be used to purchase loaner laptops for students in the program who do not have access to technology outside of the college, enhancing their learning experience.

“The funds awarded to our program will allow us to provide our learners with reliable laptop computers so that they can continue to pursue their educational goals,” said Dustin Grooms, director of Adult Education. “We have always aimed to put our learners’ needs first, and this grant award is a tangible way for us to demonstrate that.” 

The Adult Education program currently enrolls 113  students in seven counties in northeastern Kentucky. Instruction is based around computer literacy, reading, writing and mathematics comprehension.

Many students in the program face barriers in accessing the necessary tools to fully engage with their coursework, research and digital resources. This include those who are balancing work, family and their education. 

“Across the largely rural service area for ������ý’s adult education program, the digital divide continues to be a significant barrier for many of our learners. Access to, and affordability of, broadband internet and reliable devices is a major hurdle for our core population,” said Dustin Grooms, director of Adult Education.

He continued, “Many of our students are in low-income households and lack the resources needed to thrive. Additionally, as many of our learners work for a living, maintain households, and have everyday needs to attend to, regular daytime hours don’t work for their busy schedules. We are grateful for these funds to expand these services, particularly in a year of steep bud������ý cuts when every dollar is being stretched.”

Laptops purchased with the grant will be available to students with limited access to technology to check out while enrolled in the Adult Education program.