The Ohio Department of Higher Education has awarded Lakeland Community College nearly $290,000 for the fiscal year 2024 Choose Ohio First funding round.
The Choose Ohio First scholarship program is committed to developing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics talent in the state, officials noted.
Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner said the grant recipients represent the state’s best in preparing STEM scholars for workforce success.
“I commend Lakeland Community College for its efforts in the Choose Ohio First program and for being among this latest group of deserving awardees,” he added.
According to Lakeland officials, the college is committed to increasing the number of Ohio residents completing an information technology and computer science degree or certificate.
As a part of the commitment, Lakeland will use the grant funds to prepare 50 students for the “high-growth job sector.”
Additionally, officials noted, the round of Choose Ohio First scholarships will be awarded over five years, beginning the fall semester of 2024 through the spring semester of 2029.
Lakeland was first awarded a cybersecurity Choose Ohio First grant in December of 2019, and, due to its success, expanded the grant to include all ITCS degree and certificate programs.
Officials added that all academic program areas are linked to in-demand occupations in the region and across the state.
“One highlight of this program is that all (Choose Ohio First) scholars will be provided with work-based learning experiences,” said Sue Baker, department chair and professor of information technology and computer science. “This component prepares students to transition smoothly into Ohio’s IT and computer science workforce after earning their degree.”
Baker added that faculty members continue to work closely with regional employers to address workforce shortages and ensure students possess skills employers need.
Lakeland’s recruiting efforts target Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, and Eastern Cuyahoga counties and will leverage two initiatives in its Information Technology and Computer Science department:
• Department of Labor Strengthening Community Colleges grant-funded program Equity in Tech, an initiative is being led by Lorain County Community College which includes a consortium of Northeast Ohio community colleges. Further, Equity in Tech aims to help people in “marginalized and underrepresented populations overcome barriers to career and technical education programs they need to connect with quality jobs.”
• ITCS College Ready Now, a program that focuses on high school College Credit Plus and Career Technical Education students and provides “critical information technology and computer science foundational skills and industry credentials before college enrollment” — the program has increased enrollment of CCP and CTE students into Lakeland’s ITCS programs upon their high school graduation.
For more information, visit www.lakelandcc.edu.
