N.C. Central University will be expanding its community service mission with funding from two grants totaling over $3 million.

The grants will encourage faith-based community initiatives.

Both grants, which will be implemented by NCCU's University College, were based on proposals designed to close the achievement gap and enhance student achievement.

A N.C. Carolina Depart-ment of Public Instruction grant for $2 million will establish two faith-based learning centers, one at Fisher Memorial United Holy Church and another at Northside Baptist Church.

NCCU will be working with Duke University to open after-school programs for at-risk elementary and middle-school students.

The programs, which will rely on NCCU and Duke students as tutors and mentors, will provide a variety of academic and social skills to the at-risk students.

"The churches were picked in terms of a collaborative effort with Duke," said Jones. Fisher Memorial United Holy Church is located in Eagle Village, an area surrounding NCCU, and Northside Baptist Church is located near Duke University.

With a $1 million grant from the Corporation for National and Community Service awarded to the Historically Minority Colleges and Universities Consortium, NCCU will partner with Johnson C. Smith University to establish "faith-based service demonstration sites."

The project, “Expanding the Reach of Community Partnerships to Close Gaps” will provide training opportunities via distance education for faith and community organizations in North Carolina and Virginia.

“Our application was one of 84 selected nationally out of a competitive pool of more than 400 applications,” said Beverly Washington Jones, dean of NCCU’s University College.