(North Canton, OH – Oct. 2, 2023) – The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Stark State a $2.15 million five-year Title III grant for the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access and Success (IDEAS) project.

The grant will enable the College to improve student retention and college completion through strengthened academic support services. The project’s two primary objectives are to increase fall-to-fall retention and three-year degree completion of first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students; academically underprepared students; and minority students.

“The Title III grant will provide resources to help students complete their degrees and pursue their career goals,” said Stark State College President Para M. Jones, Ph.D. “Because our programs are in high demand, we will graduate more students ready to fill workforce needs in health, engineering technology/advanced manufacturing, IT and other fields, and more graduates who will continue on for bachelor’s degrees and beyond.

“Title III will help Stark State to achieve our important mission of educating and preparing more people for more jobs that are in demand in our region,” Jones added.

IDEAS activities will include

• implementing a comprehensive student retention program that responds to individual student needs and monitors students’ progress and completion.
• creating an Office of Student Life, Equity and Leadership at Stark State’s Akron campus (in addition to the main campus office) that links students who have needs and success barriers to appropriate resources and services.
• providing more faculty and staff professional development focused on student success, retention and achievement.

Title III Strengthening Institutions programs help eligible institutions of higher education expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen academic quality, institutional management and fiscal stability.