Owens Community College establishes new partnership to support students returning to college

In an effort to attract and retain students with some college experience but no degree, Owens Community College announced a partnership with ReUp. ReUp is an organization that uses data analytics to develop policy guidelines that help increase degree completion rates of returning students who previously attended colleges but did not graduate. The efforts aim to both increase enrollment for colleges and universities, and to increase earning potential for students by helping them obtain a college degree.

In March, Owens Community College published a news release announcing the partnership with ReUp. Administrators at OCC are eager to put new policies into place that encourage success among the population of returning students. "We are very eager to begin implementing this new initiative with ReUp Education," explained Vice President Amy Giordano of OCC's Enrollment Management and Student Services. She added, "Students returning to school have different needs and goals compared to first-time students. This partnership will allow us to offer additional personalized support to this largely underserved population and give them a pathway to complete their degree. Student success is our mission and we want to ensure that students have the tools they need, no matter where they are on their educational journey."

According to data published by the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, individuals with college degrees can expect to not only make more money annually, but are also more likely to avoid unemployment and to have access to better health insurance. As explained in OCC's news release, the partnership with ReUp is aimed at removing barriers often experienced by returning students who face different challenges than traditional students entering college directly from high school. 

ReUp uses the term "stopouts" to describe students who began college but did not earn a degree. According to the ReUp approach, the support services needed by returning students are frequently different from traditional students who often receive support from parents at home. ReUp offers assistance in navigating the application process and has coaches available to assist throughout the college experience. According to company data, ReUp has helped colleges and universities across the United States to re-enroll more than 14,000 students. 

ReUp Education CEO Sarah Horn shared her excitement in partnering with OCC, "ReUp Education helps students across the country achieve their educational goals. As a resident of Toledo, Ohio, I am excited to bring our support services to students locally by partnering with Owens Community College. It is a privilege to partner with Owens, an institution committed to fostering student and community success by offering quality, accessible education opportunities and focusing on positive student outcomes."