MARIETTA— The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) named Washington State College of Ohio among the first institutions to earn the Ohio Reach Postsecondary designation, a program designed to provide supportive services to students with a history in foster care. As part of the designation, Washington State has been awarded $5500 to support programming for students in the program.
ODHE Chancellor Randy Gardner recently named 28 colleges, universities, and Ohio Technical Centers that have earned the designation which is awarded to those campuses meeting criteria that depict their support of students with experience in foster care or kinship.
“As an institution, Washington State has a wide range of support programs to help our students be successful in the classroom, get across the finish line to graduation, and into their careers. The Ohio Reach Postsecondary grant will help us work to create a greater sense of community for foster youth in our region through social engagements that promote strong peer networks while also offering professional mentorship opportunities,” said WSCO Dean of Student Success Kathy Temple-Miller.
Ohio Reach is a network of professionals, advocates, and students across Ohio determined to support former foster youth on their education journey. Ohio Reach, administered through the Ohio Children’s Alliance, provides resources to institutions of higher education, child welfare agencies, and foster care alumni enrolled in higher education to support their academic success.
“Ohio takes pride in offering diverse opportunities when it comes to higher education options, and in making those available to all students,” Chancellor Gardner said. “This designation, similar to our Collegiate Purple Star designation for military-connected students, recognizes those colleges, universities, and Ohio Technical Centers that go above and beyond to support those students with foster care connections.”
In addition to Washington State, other campuses receiving the Ohio Reach Postsecondary designation include: Aultman College, Belmont College, Buckeye Hills Career Center, Canton City Career & Technical Center, Choffin Career and Technical Center, Clark State College, Cleveland State University, Collins Career Technical Center, Columbus City Adult Education, Columbus State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Cuyahoga Valley Career Center, Defiance College, Hocking College, Kent State University, Mahoning County Career and Technical Center, Miami University, Mid-East Career and Technical Centers, North Central State College, Ohio University, The Ohio State University, The Ohio State University – Mansfield Campus, Rhodes State College, Stark State College, The University of Akron, Washington County Career and Technical Center, and Wright State University.
