West Cleveland News

State Representative Manning champions Ohio's investment in STEM education through the Choose Ohio First Scholarship program, foreseeing positive impacts on students, regional education, and economic development. This initiative seeks to increase student engagement in the STEM fields and further boost Ohio's position as a leader in these disciplines.

Detailing the nature of this initiative, State Representative Manning highlighted its potential benefits for students. According to the press release, Manning said, "This is Ohio money going to Ohio students. The Choose Ohio First Scholarship program is offering a pathway for Ohio students to earn a degree, without drowning students in debt while they attempt to establish their futures."

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program isn't solely focused on providing financial aid; it also aims to enhance the competitiveness of its recipients. According to their website, The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program aims to attract talented Ohio college students to STEM fields by offering competitive funding to support undergraduate and qualifying graduate students in innovative academic programs, ultimately enhancing Ohio's competitiveness in STEM disciplines and increasing the number of STEM teachers.

This is made possible through collaborations with various institutions across the state. According to their website, participating colleges and universities receive funding from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, which is then awarded to students pursuing certificates, associate degrees, bachelor's degrees or graduate degrees in eligible STEM fields, as well as those aspiring to become STEM teachers.

The impact of this program extends beyond academia and into other sectors within the community. According to their website, Choose Ohio First programs are strategically crafted to align with regional economies, meet statewide educational requirements, facilitate cost-effective attainment of degrees and actively recruit underrepresented STEM student groups including women and students of color. The initiative allocates funds to collaborations between higher education institutions and businesses, concentrating on sectors like aerospace, medicine, and information technology. The primary objective is to markedly improve Ohio's standing in global markets by strengthening the pipeline of STEM graduates and educators. This effort contributes to Ohio's economic vitality by ensuring a skilled workforce for STEM-related industries.

In order to monitor the efficiency of this state-wide program, an oversight body will meet later this month. According to the press release, The Ohio Controlling Board serves as the financial legislative oversight body for state agencies' capital and operating expenditures, with the upcoming meeting scheduled for November 27.