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Lorain County Community College students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medical (STEM) fields may be eligible for scholarships made possible through a grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, according to a news release.
LCCC is one of 46 Ohio higher education institutions that will receive funding from the new round of the Choose Ohio First grant program, the release said.
A total of $32.5 million will be distributed among the institutions over the next five years.
“The DeWine-Husted Administration’s continued support of the Choose Ohio First program is a win for our state and its students, and gives more Lorain County Community College students the opportunity to prepare for a successful future in a high-demand STEM field,” said Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Mike Duffey in the release. “This round of funding will benefit many talented LCCC students in the manufacturing, engineering, and health care fields, among others.”
LCCC’s partnership with the Choose Ohio First program goes back more than a decade, with the first scholarships awarded to students in 2008.
Since that time, hundreds of LCCC students have benefitted from scholarships through the program, the release said.
“Preparing students for in-demand STEM careers is essential to driving economic growth in Lorain County and across Ohio,” said LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D., in the release. “The Choose Ohio First program aligns with LCCC’s mission to provide affordable pathways to these high-demand professions, right here in our region.”
When combined with LCCC’s low tuition rate, the Choose Ohio First scholarship allows students to access a high-quality STEM education at little or no cost to themselves.
Additionally, LCCC students in STEM majors participate in a learning community that provides academic support, industry connection and career mentoring to students.
That adds up to success for students like Lia Douglas, a 2019 Midview High School and Lorain County Joint Vocational School graduate.
Douglas is enrolled in LCCC’s microelectronic manufacturing applied bachelor’s degree program — the only degree of its kind available in Ohio, the release said.
“Getting the Choose Ohio First scholarship took a huge weight off of my shoulders, and not just financially,” Douglas said in the release. “A big part of it is being involved in your field beyond the classroom.
“I could talk to peers through the same experiences I had. And I had help updating my resume and preparing for interviews.”
Douglas already has completed two internships in her field with local employers and looks forward to additional opportunities as she completes her degree, the release said.
“The opportunities are endless for STEM students in Northeast Ohio,” Ballinger said in the release. “With Choose Ohio First and LCCC support services, students can earn a debt-free degree on a direct trajectory to rewarding careers close to home.”
Spring semester begins on Jan. 21.
Learn more about LCCC STEM programs, scholarships and more at www.lorainccc.edu/stem.
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