About CREW
Mission Statement
McLennan Community College (MCC) Campus Resources Education Web (CREW) strives to ensure every student who wants an education can receive one without being hindered by basic needs insecurities.
In an effort to increase the quality of the Texas workforce with degreed and certified workers, the CREW evaluates the needs of students at MCC and works with community partners to create a basic needs safety net for individuals working to improve their future trajectories.
Creating an infrastructure on campus and online can help meet these student needs. Creating awareness of this need in the community will change how students perceive their situation as well as how the community at large relates to students who require supportive resources to complete their education.
What are basic needs?
According to the Hope Center, basic needs security is defined as having access to an ecosystem of resources that help maintain an individual's most fundamental aspects of well-being. In order for students to excel in their education, they need to have access to “nutritious and sufficient food; safe, secure, and adequate housing- to sleep, to study, to cook, and to shower; healthcare to promote sustained mental and physical well-being; affordable technology and transportation; resources for personal hygiene; and childcare and related needs”.
This is based on Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which shows that students need to have consistent access to food, shelter, water, etc. before they can address higher-order needs like belonging on campus or self-actualization through learning.
What is basic needs insecurity?
Basic needs insecurity is a structural characteristic that impacts a student’s well-being. This means that outside of the individual, the proper ecosystem does not exist to provide for a student’s basic needs.
Why does basic needs security matter?
College is an experience of individual growth and learning and requires a sustained time and energy commitment.
Academic interruptions can occur when there is inadequate access to food, housing, mental or physical healthcare, transportation, etc. Just over 4 in 10 students who start at a community college or technical school graduate with a degree in 6 years.
Student success can often depend on access to available resources.
What can I do to help?
Take a look around our website and familiarize yourself with the resources available to students on campus and in the community. Please send us a referral at any time for any student who would benefit from CREW's services.