Wiley University – Another 1st for Advancement

First High Demand Job Training Grant Awarded to an HBCU in Texas

The first-ever Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) High Demand Job Training Grant (HDJT) awarded to a Historically Black College or University came one step closer to fruition with the payment of grant funds from Marshall Economic Development Corporation to Wiley University.    The total grant of $135,000 was approved for Wiley University’s Workforce Development Program in Marshall, Texas.  The goal of the project is to train and serve the educational needs of working individuals aged 25 or older toward earning a degree and obtaining skills in organizational management.  The grant will also help build long-term instructional capacity for ongoing workforce training by securing state-of-the-art capital equipment, noncapital equipment, and supplies that enable high-quality skills training for 50 or more individuals during and after the grant program.

"I am thrilled that Wiley University has been awarded a significant grant from the Marshall Economic Development Corporation, Texas Workforce Commission, and Workforce Solutions East Texas,” said Dr. JoAnn Scales, Vice President of Academic Affairs & Strategic Retention at Wiley University. “This investment underscores our commitment to preparing students for the rapidly evolving needs of the workforce and ensuring their success in promising career paths. With this support, we will continue to innovate and expand Workforce Development program to meet the demands of today's economy while providing invaluable opportunities for our students to excel."

Marshall Economic Development Corporation applied for the funds in 2022 with assistance from Workforce Solutions East Texas, the regional workforce board covering 14 counties, including Harrison.  Marshall EDC leveraged $67,500 of its funds to receive an equal match from TWC, totaling $135,000.  Skilled workers in front-line supervisors and operations management can expect an average entry-level wage of $42,000, with an average salary with moderate experience between $60,000 to $80,000.  In specific production industries, wages reaching over $100,000 for experienced, skilled labor can be achieved with a focus on operations management and front-line labor supervision.

Rush Harris, Executive Director of Marshall Economic Development, commented, “We are extremely grateful for the opportunity to partner with Wiley University, Texas Workforce Commission, and Workforce Solutions East Texas.  Programs like the HDJT grant allow us to double our training funds for skills that local employers need and that provide greater opportunity for wealth creation for our citizens.”

About Marshall Economic Development Corporation
Marshall Economic Development Corporation, or Marshall Economic Development, is a Type A 501 (c)(3) non-profit economic development corporation and works to develop relationships with new and existing businesses within the statutory scope of the Development Act of 1979. Marshall EDC was established by Resolution of the City Commission of Marshall, Texas on April 25, 1991, to act as an instrument of the City of Marshall in the promotion and assisting of industrial and manufacturing businesses to relocate to Marshall, Texas and Harrison County and the expansion of existing local businesses, to eliminate unemployment and underemployment through primary jobs. For more information visit marshalledc.org.

About Wiley University
Wiley University, founded in 1873 and formerly known as Wiley College, is a premier liberal institution, affiliated with the United Methodist Church, with an intentional focus on social good and leadership.