When most people think of a college student, they may not be thinking of a mother who's trying to get out of the cycle of public assistance. A new partnership between Educational Video Conferencing (EVC), Touro University and New York City's Lower East Side Coalition Housing Development Inc. wants to change the definition of a college student by bringing classes to the community, Wired News reports.

In an effort to solve the problems facing non-traditional students, the partnership is offering college courses toward a degree from Touro University through an Internet video conferencing system. Students attend the classes at community groups such as churches and local nonprofits.

In the first test of the system, a mosque served as a classroom for 20 students. Sixteen of them passed the course, and 14 signed up for a second semester, Wired News reports.

EVC is providing the hardware and expertise; classroom space and student services are provided by the partnership, Wired News reports. Tuition help is available through state and federal grants. When students graduate from the program, they get the same Touro diplomas other students receive.

"A lot of women I know, they don't want to leave the neighborhood. Some of it is fear, some of it is having family responsibilities -- it's just the way it is. But to be able to do college right here, with the people that you know from around the block -- I could do that. Not could. Would. We would do that. Where do we sign up?" Rosemaria Pacheco, a mother of three, told Wired News.

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