Scholars program class of 2030 welcomes 68 students

Clark State College recently inducted 68 eighth-grade students into the Clark State Scholars Program during a ceremony held at the Clark State Performing Arts Center.

The incoming class, designated the Class of 2030, represented students from eight partner middle schools across the region: Clark-Shawnee, Global Impact STEM Academy, Graham, Hayward, Roosevelt, Schaefer, Tecumseh and Urbana Junior High. 

The induction marked the beginning of a long-term commitment through the Clark State Scholars Program, designed to support first-generation, college-bound students as they prepare for college and careers beyond high school. Since the first class in 2004, 780 students have completed the high school phase of the program.

Through the program, students participate in an immersive pre-college experience throughout high school with mentorship serving as a central component. Beginning in ninth-grade, each scholar is paired with a mentor who meets with them monthly to support personal development, confidence building and postsecondary planning. Upon graduation and successful completion of the high school portion of the program, scholars are eligible for up to three years of scholarship support at Clark State.

“When students meet regularly with a mentor who believes in them, encourages them and helps them navigate challenges, it builds confidence that lasts beyond high school,” Mary Vonderhaar, scholars and youth program director at Clark State, said. “Those relationships often become one of the most meaningful parts of the program. The Clark State Scholars Program opens doors for students in our community."

Community members interested in serving as mentors can apply online at clarkstate.edu/community/scholars-program.

Clark State College is a two-year public college serving students in Springfield and the surrounding region. The Clark State Scholars Program is one of several initiatives aimed at expanding access to higher education for first-generation college students. 

For more information, visit clarkstate.edu.