Lorain County Community College receives grant from Ohio Department of Higher Education for STEM scholarships
The grant is from the Choose Ohio First initiative, which provides funding to Ohio colleges and universities to support students who want to pursue a STEM education.
Lorain County Community College is one of 46 institutions across the state of Ohio to benefit from the most recent round of Choose Ohio First funding from the Ohio Department of Education. The Ohio Department of Education is distributing more than $32 million over the next five years as part of the Choose Ohio First program, which helps Ohio institutions provide support for students who want to pursue an education and a career in Ohio in STEM.
According to an article on Lorain County Community College’s website, Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D., the school’s president, was quoted as saying of the funding, “Preparing students for in-demand STEM careers is essential to driving economic growth in Lorain County and across Ohio. The Choose Ohio First program aligns with LCCC’s mission to provide affordable pathways to these high-demand professions, right here in our region.” She added, “The opportunities are endless for STEM students in Northeast Ohio. With Choose Ohio First and LCCC support services, students can earn a debt-free degree on a direct trajectory to rewarding careers close to home.”
Lorain County Community College has been involved with Choose Ohio First since its first students received the scholarship in 2008. Hundreds of students have received the Choose Ohio First scholarship from Lorain County Community College since then. One such student, Lia Douglas, is studying in a unique applied bachelor degree program offered by LCCC and no other school in the state: microelectronic manufacturing.
Of being awarded the Choose Ohio First scholarship, Douglas said, “Getting the Choose Ohio First scholarship took a huge weight off of my shoulders, and not just financially. A big part of it is being involved in your field beyond the classroom. I could talk to peers through the same experiences I had. And I had help updating my resume and preparing for interviews.”
The Choose Ohio First program is, according to its webpage, “part of a strategic effort to encourage Ohio’s economic strength by ensuring a ready workforce for STEM-related industries.” By being awarded a Choose Ohio First scholarship from a participating institution, like Lorain County Community College, students will have additional opportunities to get ahead in their future careers in STEM, such as participation in the annual Scholar Showcase. The Showcase allows students to prepare presentations that highlight their work-based learning experiences during their time in the program and the opportunity to network with leaders in business and state officials.
Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey said, “The DeWine-Husted Administration’s continued support of the Choose Ohio First program is a win for our state and its students, and gives more Lorain County Community College students the opportunity to prepare for a successful future in a high-demand STEM field. This round of funding will benefit many talented LCCC students in the manufacturing, engineering, and healthcare fields, among others.”
For more information about Lorain County Community College, visit the school’s website.