ROCK SPRINGS — The Western Wyoming College Board of Trustees accepted two grants during its Thursday evening meeting, both of which continue programs the college operates.

The board unanimously approved the third year of its GEAR UP grant. The grant award is $652,717.76 and funds the largest GEAR UP program in Wyoming. 

Mark Rembacz, the college’s interim vice president of student affairs and vice president of institutional effectiveness, said the program works with students who receive free and reduced lunches. Students from seventh grade to high school can receive mentoring, financial aid advising, career exploration, and other services to help them transition to college, with services continuing into their freshman year. The grant will continue for another four years.

The trustees also approved an adult education grant amounting to $105,000 to continue programs such as the English as a Second Language Literacy Program, the Sweetwater County Detention Center education program, and the high school equivalency preparation program.

The board also accepted a bid for exercise equipment for the health sciences department. A $189,047 bid from Ford AV Systems of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma was approved by the trustees.