LONGMEADOW — Congressman Richard Neal visited Bay Path University’s Longmeadow campus to announce a $1 million grant to create a Student Success Center.

“The history of this university is lauded with success stories,” Neal told the faculty, students, alumni and trustees that gathered to celebrate the grant.

The Student Success Center will be designed to support students, online and on campus, in all aspects of their lives, from academic to financial, to career development support with an integrated and holistic approach.

“Bay Path has a long history of serving a diverse student body, creating opportunities for first-generation college students and disadvantaged members of our communities. I am proud to have procured funding that will allow Bay Path to launch their Student Success Center, furthering their mission of empowering students to become leaders in their careers,” Neal said.

Bay Path University President Sandra Doran said the grant was “transformative” and would help the university create “a culture of caring.”

“On behalf of the Bay Path community and our learners, 80 percent of whom live and work in our region, I express my gratitude to Congressman Neal for all his support,” Doran said in a press release.

Board of Trustees Vice Chair Wayne Webster described Neal as “an extraordinary friend and advocate for Bay Path’s mission.” Julia Dudek, president of the Student Government Association, said “This gift will leave a long-lasting mark.” She addressed Neal, “Thanks to you, we can seize our destiny.”

The grant is part of the federal Department of Education’s Congressionally Direct Spending (CDS) program. Neal had earmarked the project for funding in the fiscal year 2023 federal spending bill. CDS recipients must be either state and local governments or eligible nonprofits. Neal secured CDS funding for 15 projects, totaling $20 million, in the First Congressional District.

Neal said the grant for Bay Path University was an “investment of hard-earned tax dollars” that would help Bay Path University graduates go on to “participate fully in the American economy.”

Despite the recent change in control of the House of Representatives, Neal said he expected this type of funding would continue to be approved because the initiatives were popular among the public.

“Virtually every part of the region has benefited. Every university has benefitted, I made sure of that,” Neal told Reminder Publishing.