Ohio and Michigan partner to boost community colleges' role in Midwest economic development with new grant-funded initiative
Ohio and Michigan are partnering on a new effort to accelerate the efforts of community colleges in addressing economic development opportunities.
A grant from the Ascendium Education Group will fund a joint project between the Ohio Association of Community Colleges and Michigan Community College Association focused on emerging economies in both states and the vital role of community colleges in preparing students for career pathways with strong labor market demands.
The partnership will leverage research from leading national partners on dual enrollment, transfers, college access, guided pathways and labor market outcomes. Ohio is recognized as a leader in developing high-quality educational pathways that span from K-12 to postsecondary education and into the workforce.
The bulk of the Ascendium-funded project will focus on emerging and expanding industries in advanced manufacturing, IT, healthcare, mobility, education and other sectors with significant talent needs in the region. The project is especially timely as Ohio celebrates an influx of high-tech investment requiring new short- and long-term certificate degrees and other programs to meet booming demand for employees with 21st-century job skills.
The investment will help community colleges meet current and future workforce needs at a crucial time in the state’s business development history, said Laura Rittner, Vice President of Operations and Student Success at the Ohio Association of Community Colleges.
“Today’s economic and employment landscape is rapidly evolving, and this work will help guide us to certainty on the specific programs and strategies we provide to students in pursuit of their success,” Rittner said.
The Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) exists to support Ohio’s network of community colleges through advocacy, policy, and professional development. OACC is squarely dedicated to the advancement and implementation of sound policy and initiatives that work to ensure the success of 180,000 community college students in Ohio. Over the last twelve years, the OACC has integrated evidence-based strategies for student success into the organization’s overall advocacy strategy. In 2012, the OACC formed one of the first Student Success Centers in the country. The Success Center for Ohio Community Colleges has helped the colleges build institutional capacity for data-driven decision-making, share outcomes of success initiatives, and scale guided pathways reforms. Learn more at https://ohiocommunitycolleges.org.
The Michigan Community College Association is the unified voice and leading advocate for Michigan’s community colleges, empowering members to lead in the areas of student success, talent development, and community vitality. MCCA also strengthens public awareness and recognition of the role of community colleges, supports members in delivering education and training that is responsive to changing labor market needs, champions the strategies necessary to achieve equitable student success and fosters collaboration, connection and partnerships among community colleges and stakeholders. Learn more at mcca.org.
Ascendium Education Group is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to helping people reach the education and career goals that matter to them. Ascendium invests in initiatives designed to increase the number of learners from low-income backgrounds who complete postsecondary degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs, with an emphasis on first-generation learners, incarcerated adults, rural community members, learners of color, and veterans. Ascendium’s work identifies, validates and expands best practices to promote large-scale change at the institutional, system and state levels, with the intention of elevating opportunity for learners from low-income backgrounds. For more information, visit https://www.ascendiumphilanthropy.org.
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