Displaying items by tag: Stark State College

(Akron Public Schools) Today Akron Public Schools (APS) formally welcomed Stark State College (Stark State) as a sister college to Kenmore-Garfield High School. The partnership is part of the growing community of businesses and organizations engaging in the new College & Career Academies for APS high schools. More than 100 business and community leaders gathered at Stark State College for the announcement. 

Modeled after "Sister Cities" that were launched by President Dwight Eisenhower's administration in 1956 to help cities share best practices, a sister college will give support and provide resources to APS students as they explore various college and career options. Stark State College will work with teachers at Kenmore-Garfield to develop career-themed classroom content; design and present "problem-based" learning opportunities; provide parent and student workshops and assistance on the college admissions process; and offer valuable enrichment opportunities. 

APS Superintendent David James said at today's announcement, "We are thrilled that Stark State College has agreed to be the first named partner for Kenmore-Garfield High School. Its partnership will enhance the academic experience for our students and guide students and families on a path toward higher learning." 

Kenmore-Garfield Principal Kathryn Rodocker added, "Whether a student's path is employment, enrollment in college or enlistment in the military, Stark State College will help ensure that he or she is prepared." 

"We welcome this new partnership with Akron Public Schools as an extension of our current collaborative efforts with the district," said Stark State College President Para M. Jones, Ph.D. "Stark State College is proud to work with Kenmore-Garfield as a 'sister school' to support college and career readiness and success for all students. We look forward to working with students, teachers, parents and staff to achieve these important goals, which align with APS career academy goals and the economic development plan for Akron and Summit County." 

The partnership between Akron Public Schools and Stark State College was formed with the help of United Way of Summit County. Last year, APS announced that United Way would serve as a link between the College and Career Academies of Akron and local businesses to provide hands-on learning opportunities for students and to strengthen the education-to-employment pipeline in Summit County. 

"This partnership represents an incredible opportunity," said Jim Mullen, president and CEO of United Way of Summit County. "More than ever before, post-secondary education and career training are essential to the success of our youth. By helping prepare the students of Kenmore-Garfield for college, Stark State is bringing them one step closer to a successful career, a stable livelihood and the chance to make their mark on the future of our community." 

APS was designated a Ford Next Generation Learning Community in May 2017. Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company, is supporting the transformation of public high schools into career-themed academies to better prepare students for college and professional success in today's competitive global economy. College and Career Academies of Akron are supported by the following key strategic partners: GAR Foundation, United Way of Summit County, ConxusNEO, Summit Education Initiative and Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce. 

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About Akron Public Schools: 
Akron Public Schools (APS) enrolls more than 21,000 students and employs 3,000 teaching and non-teaching professionals in Northeastern Ohio. The district, one of the state's largest and most diverse, covers 62 square miles in a city of 195,000. APS educators are committed to rigorous teaching and learning, safe learning centers, and community engagement to prepare young people to be well rounded and ready for the challenges of learning that follow in life. The goal of APS is to be the #1 urban school system in the United States. For more information about Akron Public Schools, visit AkronSchools.com. 

About Stark State College: 
Stark State College focuses on affordable, quality higher education that propels students to career success or launches them toward advanced degrees. The College offers more than 230 associate degrees and certificates in business, education, engineering technologies, health, human and public services, information technology, liberal arts, mathematics, and sciences. Stark State also works closely with business and industry to train a skilled workforce in meeting talent pipeline needs for in-demand jobs. The College enrolls more than 14,000 students, about a quarter of whom are from the Akron area. Stark State College Akron is a new 50,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility at 360 Perkins St. Learn more at starkstate.edu/akron. 

About United Way of Summit County: 
United Way of Summit County takes on the issues that matter most to children and families in Greater Akron. We pursue Bold Goals through forward-thinking strategies, innovative programs and hands-on work in our community. We team up with private and public leaders, local businesses, and thousands of volunteers from across our community to create change that matters. Together, we are hand raisers. Game changers. Because there's a better future in store for Greater Akron, and the time is now to make it happen. Learn more at uwsummit.org.

Stark State College, for the first time in four years, is increasing the instructional fee. 

The $10 increase to the fee brings it to $126.50, and is effective starting this summer semester. According to the press release, the instructional fee will only be applied to the first 16 credit hours a student takes each semester; beyond 16 per semester, a student will not be charged an instructional fee. 

Dr. Para M. Jones, President of Stark State College, said in a press release, "This tuition increase will enable the College to continue providing quality educational programs that lead to in-demand careers, which is important to our students and employers.”

Even with the increase, Stark State College remains the lowest in the region, and the college continues to increase scholarship opportunities for students. 

Read more information from a press release from Stark State College below:

The tuition increase was recently approved by the Ohio legislature, authorizing the state’s community and technical colleges to increase tuition by up to $10 from the previous year.

The Trustees also took action to authorize a career services fee of $6 per credit hour, increasing the general fee from $37.10 to $43.10 per credit hour. This adjusted fee also will be effective summer semester and also applied only to the first 16 credit hours a student takes each semester.The fee was approved by the legislature last year, and most other Ohio community colleges opted for the increase then. Stark State, however, has been focused on expansion and realignment of its career services offerings, and the new fee now will allow more comprehensive career assistance as well as a higher level of integrated connection to employers.

The fee also will help fund additional tutoring services, student support services, student success coaches, additional disability and military support services and increase licensed counseling services.

While increases in tuition are necessary in order to maintain quality academic programs; hire and retain outstanding, student-centered faculty and staff; keep class sizes low; and provide state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, Stark State College continues to seek ways to help make college more affordable for its students. The College has taken these steps in recent years to lower student costs:

• increased scholarship opportunities for students through both the College and The Stark State College Foundation with a combined $900,000 available for student scholarships annually
• worked with Stark Area Regional Transit Authority (SARTA) to provide free public transportation to any Stark State student on any SARTA route
• partnered with SARTA to add a direct route from Stark State’s main campus in North Canton to the Akron Metro Transit Station and back to main campus at no cost to students, saving Akron students both time and money
• implemented an emergency fund program for students who have an unexpected, one-time need (car repair, home repair) that may hinder their ability to pay for school; the fund can pay the vendor for the unexpected need, so the student can continue to pay for and attend college
• expanded textbook rental to lower the cost of textbooks and participation in a statewide open educational resource consortium to keep textbook costs low for students.

Stark State College is Summit County’s first community college, and the expansion into the Akron area seems to look quite promising.

Dr. Para Jones, president of Stark State University, joined the Ray Horner Morning Show to update the listeners on the enrollment and construction of the new site. Dr. Jones talked about the temporary site on White Pond Drive, which just opened last November, and the growth of the enrollment and interest in gaining an associate’s degree.

Plans for the grand opening of the downtown Akron facility look to be completed for the fall of 2018.

Stark State College has announced that NEXUS Gas Transmission, LLC, has presented the school with a $50,000 scholarship donation during a presentation ceremony Tuesday.

The college's campus is near where NEXUS is looking to route its pipeline, pending approval from the federal government, and offers relevant training for students in the oil and gas industry programs. Stark said, in a press release, that the money will be put toward industry-related programs, scholarships, or facility improvements for students in that field.

The NEXUS pipeline proposal has been met with local opposition, including from the City of Green and local activist groups.

Read the full press release below. 

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CANTON – NEXUS Gas Transmission, LLC (NEXUS) presented Stark State College with a $50,000 scholarship donation during a check presentation ceremony held earlier today.

Stark State is located near the proposed NEXUS route and offers relevant training for many careers in the oil and gas industry. As indicated by the college, the one-time donation will be used to support industry related programs, scholarships or training facility improvement for students pursuing certification and training to work in the oil and gas industry.

“We are grateful for this donation and the ability to use it to directly support hands-on training activities related to OSHA Safety Classes, Environmental Compliance Sampling of soils, water and air, and Department of Transportation (DOT)-required Operator Qualification training,” said Stark State College President Para M. Jones, Ph.D. “These skills and certifications are critical components of the labor force needs related to gas, water and other infrastructure projects throughout the region.”

The college executed a memorandum of understanding with NEXUS to ensure that funds are allocated to directly benefit students specializing in training for the oil and gas industry. If dollars are allocated for a student scholarship, Stark State officials will select the recipient and determine how the funds will be distributed.

“We value the role that Stark State College plays in educating and training the labor force in the region,” said NEXUS Spokesman Adam Parker. “Stark State has a positive reputation for attracting and retaining the most talented students and we are proud to support their efforts. Our investment today is rooted in our commitment to help build a highly skilled employee base in communities where we work and operate.”

The NEXUS Project is a proposed 255-mile natural gas pipeline that would run from eastern Ohio to existing pipeline system interconnects in southeastern Michigan. The proposed pipeline has been under the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) review and permitting process since 2015. A decision on the Project’s Application for Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity is currently pending.

Construction of the NEXUS project is estimated to support 6,800 jobs, more than $650 million in wages, and $830 million in total economic activity. In its first five years of operation, NEXUS will generate an estimated cumulative tax revenue of $412 million, of which approximately $116 million will go directly to local school districts in Ohio.

To learn more about NEXUS Gas Transmission, LLC and the proposed pipeline, visit www.nexusgastransmisison.com.  More information about Stark State’s Oil and Gas programs can be found at https://www.starkstate.edu/oilandgas/.

Jackson Township Police say an investigation revealed that an abduction and assault that was reported at Stark State College in July never happened.

On July 14, police say a woman reported that she was taken from a parking lot and driven to the Akron area where she had been assaulted. Following an investigation, authorities determined that the incident never occurred.

The Stark County Prosecutor's Office is expected to review the case for possible criminal charges for filing a false police report.

Stark State College has been looking for a campus in Akron city limits, and the plans were announced on Thursday by Dr. Para Jones. The campus will be located on E. Market Street, right off Route 8, adjacent to the soon-to-be expanded Summa Health complex.

Mayor Dan Horrigan is intrigued about what Stark State can bring to the area, and he discussed his excitement in studio on the Ray Horner Morning Show. Horrigan believes this will benefit the city greatly, especially with Millennial retention, which has been a focus in recent years. On the announcement, the mayor believed Thursday was “a very exciting day for the city."

The planned start date for the college is fall of 2018.

Horrigan also gave an update on the future of the Innerbelt, and what the vision is for the land long-term.

We could learn more next week about plans for Stark State College to establish a presence in Akron.

Stark State, along with leaders from Akron, Summit County and others, plan an announcement on Thursday morning in Akron.

A news release describes "Stark State College Akron" as "a new education and workforce training center" with few other details.

Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan and Summit County Executive Russ Pry will be there, along with Stark State president Dr. Para Jones.

Stark State recently received $6 million in state funding towards an Akron initiative.

Stark State already has a Summit County presence, with a branch in Barberton.

Students have always been weary of starting their post-high school education at a community college, due to the question of whether all or most of their credits will transfer to their next school. Now, a pact between Stark State and Malone University will help the process.

Nathan Phinney, interim dean and provost at Malone University, called into the Ray Horner Morning Show to discuss the transition. Phinney explained how students both past and present can have their credits easily transfer to Malone after receiving their associate’s degree.