Cincinnati State receives federal funds to continue outreach to adults
October 19, 2011
Cincinnati State is among six educational institutions in Ohio to win funding under the U.S. Education Department’s TRIO Educational Opportunity Centers program.
Cincinnati State was awarded $230,000, according to an announcement by U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown.
“Ohio’s impressive network of community colleges and universities play an integral role in connecting displaced workers, veterans, and working Ohioans with the resources needed to earn a college degree,’’ Sen. Brown said in a release.
Bari Ewing, Director of College Access Programs for Cincinnati State, noted that many of those served by the EOC are the first in their families to attempt to attend college.
“We work closely with social service agencies, community groups and educational programs to take the message to people that ‘You Can Go to College,’ ’’ Ms. Ewing said. “We know it’s going to be a little bit harder for most of them than some other students. But we also know that if they graduate they’ll be able to provide a better life for their families.’’
At Cincinnati State, the Educational Opportunity Center has served more than 5,000 adults over the past five years in a variety of ways, and in the past year helped nearly 450 gain admission to the College.
Among the services provided by the EOC:
- Career advisors help adults select a career pathway using national career assessment tools.
- For those who wish to pursue postsecondary training or a college degree, assistance is offered with the admissions process and with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) process.
- For those adults without a high school diploma or GED, advisors make referrals to GED or Credit Recovery classes and programs. (Cincinnati State houses one of the largest GED testing programs in the state of Ohio.)
In addition to Cincinnati State, funding for TRIO EOC programs was awarded to the University of Cincinnati ($263,000); Shawnee State University ($375,000); Educational Partners, Inc. in Stark County ($648,000); Cuyahoga Community College ($331,000); and Eastern Gateway Community College $214,000).
