Dec. 12, 2023 – Kirtland, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Higher Education awarded Lakeland Community College nearly $290,000 for the FY24 Choose Ohio First (COF) funding round. The COF scholarship program is committed to developing STEM talent in the state of Ohio.

“These Choose Ohio First awardees, including Lakeland Community College, represent Ohio’s best when it comes to preparing STEM scholars for success in the workforce,” Chancellor Randy Gardner said. “I commend Lakeland Community College for its efforts in the Choose Ohio First program and for being among this latest group of deserving awardees.”

Lakeland is committed to increasing the number of Ohio residents successfully completing an information technology and computer science (IT&CS) degree or certificate. As a part of this commitment, Lakeland will use COF grant funds to prepare 50 students for this high growth job sector. This round of COF scholarships will be awarded to qualified students over a five-year period beginning fall semester 2024 through spring semester 2029.

Lakeland was first awarded a cybersecurity COF grant in December 2019 and due to its success, expanded this grant to include all ITCS degree and certificate programs. All academic program areas are linked to in-demand occupations in our 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. This component prepares students to transition smoothly into Ohio’s IT&CS workforce after earning their degree,” said Sue Baker department chair and professor of information technology and computer science. “At Lakeland, our faculty work closely with regional employers to address workforce shortages to ensure students possess the skills employers need.”

Lakeland’s recruiting efforts will target Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, and Eastern Cuyahoga counties and will leverage two initiatives in its IT&CS department:

• Department of Labor Strengthening Community Colleges (SCC3) grant funded program Equity in Tech. This initiative is being led by Lorain County Community College and includes a consortium of Northeast Ohio community colleges. 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, This program focuses on high school College Credit Plus (CCP) and Career Technical Education (CTE) students and provides them with critical ITCS foundational skills and industry credentials prior to enrolling in college. This program has been successful in increasing enrollment of CCP and CTE students into Lakeland’s ITCS programs upon their high school graduation.

By: Levi Rex, Marketing Communications Specialist