Seven students from Clark State College attend the Propel Ohio Conference
Clark State College students were in attendance at a free conference sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown which is intended to expose and help students gain interest in civic engagement.
The 2023 Propel Ohio Conference took place at Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio, and seven students from Clark State College were able to attend. The October 6th conference was back in person for the first time since 2019 and serves as an opportunity for students to learn about civic engagement and inspire them to find opportunities to get involved in their own local communities.
According to an article on Clark State College’s website, Callie Carey-Devine, who serves as the project director of TRIO Support Services at Clark State College, said the students who were able to attend the conference are all involved in some way with the TRIO program. “All of the students who attended are first-generation college students meaning neither parent or guardian hold a bachelor's degree. All of the students are affiliated with TRIO Student Support Services; four as active participants, two are new applicants, and the mother of the CCP student who attended is active in TRIO,” said Carey-Devine.
The TRIO program at Clark State College is federally funded and for more than two decades has assisted students who have disabilities, are first-generation college students, or come from a low-income family. The program is designed to help these underrepresented students succeed academically and overcome the barriers that may be holding them back.
The seven students who attended the conference had to submit applications and personal essays to the Senator’s office in order to be invited to attend. The students who were selected are Kiahna Garcia, Ethan Adkins, Calcifer Peters, Anton Avington, Aaron Clements, Heidi Austin, and Sean Allen.
Sean Allen discussed his reasoning for wanting to attend the conference and mentioned that his experience in the Clark State Cyber Club has encouraged him to want to pursue civic engagement to help bring about technological growth.
“By engaging in local governance and advocating for policies that foster innovation and education, I can contribute to a society that supports my aspirations and empowers others in the field. This intersection of technology and civic engagement propels me to be a part of conversations, initiatives, and actions that pave the way for a technologically advanced and ethically responsible future,” Allen said.
He went on to say, “As an aspiring computer engineer, I am driven by the belief that advancements in science and technology can transform society and address pressing global challenges. This conviction inspires me to become more civically engaged because I recognize the impact of technological progress extends beyond laboratories and corporations – it significantly influences policy, regulation, and the well-being of communities.”
Students from all over Ohio were present at the conference. Students were treated to presentations from Senator Brown, 2022 National Teacher of the Year Kurt Russell, and Drs. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Eva Johnson.
Though sponsored by the Senator’s office, the conference itself is a nonpartisan event that aims to include and engage anyone and everyone. The importance of voting to impact civic issues is a topic of discussion at the conference, as well as allowing students to discuss their own ideas with local leaders.
Robert Gast, who is the academic coordinator for TRIO Support Services at Clark State College, said, “I am very proud of these students and I am encouraged by their excitement and energy about what they can bring back to Clark State and our community. They are great student leaders and I look forward to helping them bring their ideas to reality.”
For more information about Clark State College, visit the school’s website.