JCC Awarded Truth Initiative Grant to Support 100% Tobacco-Free Campus

Jefferson Community College (JCC) has been awarded a Truth Initiative grant totaling more than $17,000 spread over two years under the Truth Initiative Tobacco/Vape-Free College Program. The Truth Initiative grant, administered by the JCC Diverse Task Force, expands leadership opportunities for students on the College’s campus including two paid student positions - Truth College Leaders. Committed to providing a safe and healthy working and learning environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors, JCC became a tobacco-free campus in June 2020.

Truth Initiative (TI) offers grants and scholarships to support action on the ground, including opportunities for colleges and universities to adopt tobacco-free campus policies, and for students and young people to continue to take action in their communities to instigate change.

Since 2015, the TI Tobacco/Vape-Free College Program has protected more than 1.1 million students, faculty and staff by provided funding to 184 minority-serving institutions, community colleges and women’s colleges to advocate for and adopt a 100% tobacco-free policy.

Students interested in advocating for a healthy tobacco-free campus may complete the truth college leader application online at www.thetruth.com/college-leaders-application. Jefferson Community College deadline to apply is September 16, 2020 by 5PM. Successful candidates will work with the JCC Diverse Task Force for training and support. Work may be completed virtually.

Students who are not selected for truth college leader positions, may still have an impact on JCC’s campus and gain amazing resume experience by volunteering to join the JCC Diverse Task Force. Currently, there are 10 vacancies for student representatives.

Additionally, the Diverse Task Force is seeking six staff members from key campus areas and four faculty members to join.

For more information, contact Associate Professor Leah Deasy at ldeasy@sunyjefferson.edu, call (315) 786-6568, or text (315) 681-5091. Students may also stop in to Room 5-106M, Gregor Building.