To ensure affordable access to quality higher education, the Montgomery College Foundation has launched a campaign to ensure that all who wish to go to college can go to college. The Promise goal for the Campaign for Montgomery College is to ensure that all Montgomery County Public Schools graduates will be eligible to receive at least a $1,000 scholarship if they meet certain criteria and attend Montgomery College.

School and Foundation officials say that the Montgomery Promise will require a public-private partnership of resources to keep the Promise sustainable. The vision is to raise at least $10 million in private philanthropy and $10 million from public sources over the next five years.

The Montgomery College Foundation is a non-profit organization governed by business, alumni and community leaders to enhance the work of Montgomery College to a level of excellence comparable to the finest colleges and universities across the country.  Through advocacy, influence, and financial support, these volunteer leaders work to ensure understanding of and commitment to the community college philosophy of opportunity, inclusion, and educational achievement for all.

Montgomery College President DeRionne Pollard has also initiated a three-pronged “Achieving The Promise” program to attack the county’s achievement gap. “I want to see more students reach their goals,” Pollard said.

The first stage focuses on peer coaching and navigation. The second stage is constant campus engagement from temporary employees and finally, phase three, is professional development.