College Now Greater Cleveland and United Way of Summit & Medina (UWSM) will open a new Educational Opportunity HUB to house College Now services in Summit County this week. Located in United Way’s Financial Empowerment Center at 1060 Kenmore Boulevard in Akron, the Summit County Educational Opportunity HUB will act the same as the College Now Cleveland Resource Center, providing individualized services to residents who wish to start or continue their post-high school education.
The Summit County Educational Opportunity HUB will be funded through a federal Trio Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) grant that was awarded to College Now in partnership with Summit Education Initiative (SEI) and United Way of Summit & Medina in October 2021. The grant award will support the provision of services to adults in Summit County, regardless of intended major or college/university they wish to attend. Available services include career planning and coaching; choosing a school and an academic program; and financing an education and student loan counseling. College Now Adult Programs advisors are experts in supporting adult students to and through college and other training programs. Adults in Medina County are welcome to access services at the Education Opportunity HUB, as well, with the goal being to also provide in-person services in Medina County in the near future.
“We are thrilled to be deepening our work in Summit County with the opening of our new Summit County Educational Opportunity HUB,” said College Now Senior Director of Adult Programs and Services, Julie Szeltner. “Ohio has set an ambitious goal of having 65 percent of its residents ages 25-64 obtain a degree, certificate, or other postsecondary workforce credential by 2025. As we approach that date, we know it is more important than ever to help more students, particularly adults, restart their postsecondary education and pursue an education pathway that will lead them to a living-wage career. We are grateful for the partnership with Summit Education Initiative and United Way of Summit & Medina that will enable us to better serve the residents of Summit County with their postsecondary needs.”
”The Summit County Educational Opportunity HUB is a tremendous asset to our community,” said Jim Mullen, President and CEO of United Way of Summit & Medina. “By providing this resource, it gives individuals and families throughout Summit County the tools and resources needed to advance their futures. We’re proud to be a part of the project and it’s key relationships like this one that are creating lasting and positive impacts in our area.”
Residents can access individualized services by completing the brief form linked here, then choosing when they would like to meet with a College Now Adult Programs advisor. Both in-person and virtual appointments are available for interested residents, as well as periodic weekend and evening appointments. Residents with questions can call (330) 548-8294 or email [email protected].