Page 4 - AACC 2108 Impact Report

Strong Partnership = Stronger Community
The Philip E. and Carole R. Ratcliffe Foundation and AACC
In June, the Philip E. and Carole
R. Ratcliffe Foundation made a generous three-year commitment to support the Ratcliffe Scholarship Program at AACC. This latest
gift brings the total investment in the college to $2.9 Million since
the AACC – Ratcliffe Foundation partnership began fifteen years ago. AACC launched the Entrepreneurial Studies Institute (ESI) to serve aspiring entrepreneurs and current business owners after receiving support from the Ratcliffe Foundation.
Through AACC’s Entrepreneurial Studies Institute, students pursue contemporary academic programs leading to certificates
and an Associate degree in Entrepreneurship. The Ratcliffe Scholarship is awarded to students annually to help cover the costs of tuition, fees, books and supplies. Students also
have access to the Hatchery on campus, an incubator and small business resource center. AACC’s programming is a good fit for
the Ratcliffe Foundation’s focus
on encouraging and rewarding entrepreneurship, creating jobs and expanding economic opportunities in the local community.
The Ratcliffe Foundation is one
of the sponsors for the Business Pitch Competition, AACC’s version of “Shark Tank” where students compete for funding to support their business ventures. More than 25 businesses have already received seed funds, and an additional 25 businesses will receive venture
capital support under the most recent grant.
“My business is in such a better place now because of all the improvements we made while preparing for this [business pitch] competition. Being enrolled in the Entrepreneurial program at AACC has fostered
my interest in business and taken everything to a new level!”
—Andrew, Ratcliffe Scholarship Awardee and Business Pitch Competitor
The partnership between the College and the Foundation is preparing men and women for business success and creating significant opportunities for the launch of small businesses in our community. AACC is extremely grateful for the transformational impact of this partnership.
Ratcliffe scholarship students join Department Chair Carlene Cassidy, Assistant Professor Stephanie Goldenberg, and Instruction Specialist Steve Berry in The Hatchery – an incubator and business resource center.
4 Anne Arundel Community College Foundation