River Parishes Community College (RPCC) is proud to be a partner institution in LSU’s newly awarded $7 million E-RISE grant, which is an acronym for EPSCoR Research Incubators for STEM Excellence from the National Science Foundation, a transformative initiative designed to expand access to STEM pathways across Louisiana. The full name of the NSF award is E-RISE RII, where the last three letters stand for Research Infrastructure Improvement, which includes teambuilding.
This multi-institutional effort led by LSU will create a statewide network of two- and four-year institutions collaborating to strengthen STEM education, enhance workforce readiness, and close equity gaps in high-demand fields. RPCC is one of the strategic community college partners helping to develop the framework for innovation hubs and immersive STEM learning experiences.
“Joining this team marks a significant milestone for our institution,” said Donovan Thompson, dean of River Parishes Community College’s Energy Sciences Division and executive director of its Energy Partners for Innovation and Collaboration (EPIC) consortium. “Together with LSU and our partners, we’ll develop cutting-edge course modules and workshops focused on bio-electric fuel technologies—a field entirely new to our college’s curriculum—and provide students with hands-on, work-based learning experiences to prepare them to be leaders in the rapidly evolving energy expansion.”
RPCC will contribute to curriculum development, educator training and workshops, and the deployment of mobile STEM learning resources, helping to ensure students across the River Parishes have access to cutting-edge technology and hands-on learning experiences. The project aligns with RPCC’s ongoing mission to deliver industry-aligned programs that open doors to high-wage, high-demand careers.
“This partnership reflects RPCC’s deep commitment to preparing students for the region’s rapidly evolving workforce,” said RPCC Chancellor Quintin Taylor. “By expanding access to high-quality STEM education, especially in rural communities, we are helping build the talent pipeline that our industry partners need — and our students deserve.”
The educational partners on the winning team for this grant is LSU, LSU AgCenter, Louisiana Tech University, Southern University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and River Parishes Community College. The ERISE network includes 17 higher education institutions across Louisiana, ranging from research universities to technical and community colleges. It was one of just two initiatives selected for funding in the first round of the Louisiana Education Innovation Fund.