(North Canton, OH – April 11, 2024) – The U.S. Department of Labor awarded a $1.75 million Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grant to Stark State College. Grant funds will be used to increase enrollment, graduation and connections with health care employers in the College’s nursing programs, with a focus on underserved students. Stark State was one of only 16 institutions nationwide to receive one of these highly competitive grants.

“This critical initiative will enable Stark State to work closely with hospitals in the region to graduate more nurses,” said Para M. Jones, Ph.D., president of Stark State College. “Nursing is the No. 1 in-demand career in the region, state and nation.”

The College’s DOL-funded program, NEO-WIN (Northeast Ohio Workforce Initiative in Nursing) is a regional, career-building partnership among Stark State, employers, workforce organizations and other industry stakeholders. Its goal is to create and implement a career-development program at Stark State that will address the skill needs of area health-care employers and support underserved students in obtaining quality jobs with career-advancement opportunities in the health-care industry. The program will specifically target registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

“With our excellent registered nursing (RN), licensed practical nursing (LPN), LPN to RN program, and state-tested nurse assistant programs, we offer students a pathway to nursing that is high-quality, affordable, achievable and aligned with local hospital and health care needs,” she added.

For more information, contact Collyn Floyd, Director of Marketing & Public Relations, at 330-494-6170 or cfloyd@starkstate.edu.