To help provide Ohio’s students some things in short supply right now—certainty and safety—Clark State Community College in coordination with the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) are launching Year 1 At Home to help first-year college students put aside questions about where - and how - they will attend college this coming fall.
“Clark State provides a high-quality, affordable education that results in transfer or workforce opportunity,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “Parents and students alike recognize the value proposition of saving money during those first two years of college, particularly during these uncertain times.”
Year 1 at Home is a reminder to students and their families of community colleges’ long-time expertise in online instruction, low tuition and the fact that first-year general education requirements are almost universally the same at all institutions and the credits transfer easily.
In addition, the Clark State Foundation is continuing to accept student scholarship applications.
“The Clark State Foundation works to remove financial barriers and increase college success,” said Toni Overholser, director of the Clark State Foundation. “Our scholarships are awarded for a wide variety of factors including financial need, academic merit and program of study.”
Overholser said the Foundation is currently accepting applications for the 2020-2021 academic year through July 15. Students can submit their applications at https://clarkstate.academicworks.com.
Jack Hershey, president and CEO of the OACC said, “During these challenging times, many students need assurances about the availability and affordability of their college classes. Why should students subject themselves to the uncertainty, the risk and the high cost of instruction that is essentially the same at a community college? Year 1 at Home wipes away all of these unnecessary stress points, replaces them with certainty and let’s students move forward focused on learning and their futures.”
Hershey added that Ohio is fortunate to have a number of world-class public and private universities, and community colleges are proud to have long-standing working partnerships with them.
“Ohio’s community colleges are built for the ease, convenience and support of students. We know how to work around students’ needs and the biggest need they have right now is certainty, and that’s something we can supply,” said Jim Doyle, chairman of the OACC and a member of the Clark State Community College Board of Trustees. “We are in 23 places across Ohio, nearby to every community, and we’re wired to serve. We’re glad to have a chance to support students and their families right now with Year 1 at Home and we anticipate it will be a welcome resource—and source of relief.”
Dayton resident Anarra Williams graduated from Clark State in May of this year with a transfer degree. She will attend Tennessee State to study food and nutritional sciences this fall. Williams received a full scholarship to continue her education and pursue her four-year degree.
“I encourage all to take the initiative to attend Clark State. It will not only save you money but prepare you for any major or career you may be seeking,” said Williams. “Furthermore, I feel during this pandemic Clark State has provided endless resources to ensure success.”
Williams was able to attend Clark State on an athletic scholarship for basketball, while completing her prerequisites for Tennessee State. She said prior to the pandemic, Clark State did everything in its power to ensure a safe environment, giving students a “home away from home” feeling.
Clark State will welcome students back to campus on August 24 following the phased return of staff and faculty. The College seamlessly pivoted to remote learning and student services on March 16 following Ohio Governor Mike DeWine’s directive for physical distancing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and is prepared to do so again, should the need arise.
“The safety and security of students and employees is at the forefront of everything we do,” said Blondin. “Clark State students, faculty and staff will be able to meet together in the fall in face-to-face settings, with an emphasis on the safety and well-being of everyone, including physical distancing and revised classrooms set ups, enhanced and aggressive sanitation and cleaning techniques and other protocols recommended by the Ohio Department of Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, such as wearing masks and frequent hand washing. Of course, should anything change based on direction from the Governor and the Ohio Department of Health, we will keep our community informed and comply with all laws, regulations and directives.”
Fall classes will be held in person, online and in hybrid format. Clark State has implemented strict safety guidelines for classes held on campus. Registration for fall semester is now open. Due to the physical distancing Clark State has implemented in classrooms, classes will be even smaller and meet maximum capacity sooner. Students are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
Students are able to return to campus for in-person services such as advising, enrollment, admissions, financial aid, tutoring and testing on July 6, though Clark State will also maintain online components for all of those activities.