Kent State, a national leader in award-winning student support services to graduate students, will use a $1,160,250 federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish an Educational Opportunity Center on the Kent Campus that will serve 850 eligible participants from the metropolitan areas of Akron, Ashtabula, Canton, Kent, New Philadelphia, Salem and Warren in Northeast Ohio.
“We want to empower those who never thought college was for them to instead see themselves earning a college degree,” said Melody Tankersley, Ph.D., Kent State’s senior vice president and provost. “We hope to transform the Northeast Ohio region into a climate that fosters educational access and completion for all individuals.”
Kent State’s project will address specialized services for veterans to improve college enrollment and success, assist participants with receiving credit for prior learning and provide summer support to ensure they continue learning.
Kent State’s Educational Opportunity Center project, located in University Outreach and Engagement in the Division of Academic Affairs, aims to meet objectives through key partnerships with Kent State’s Center for Adult and Veteran Services, Academic Success Center, Student Financial Aid, Undergraduate Admissions, and Career Exploration and Development; district career centers (Aspire and GED/HiSET); Community Action Council; Job and Family Services; PNC Banks; TRIO programs; and other supporting agencies, nonprofits and businesses.