Clark State College was awarded a $720,000 from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) through the Super RAPIDS Grant program.
The ODHE launched the Super RAPIDS regional program to support collaborative projects among qualifying institutions to strengthen education and training opportunities that maximize workforce development efforts in defined areas of the state. These funds are used to invest in strategic initiatives that build capacity, remove employment and training barriers for prospective and unemployed workers, develop and strengthen business-led strategies in the impacted industries, and provide local guided solutions to employment for communities in economic transition.
Dr. Scott Dolan, dean of health, human and public services at Clark State, said the funding provided through the Super Rapids Grant will allow several programs within the School of Health, Human and Public Services update equipment in the various lab settings at all Clark State campuses.
“HHPS is leveraging this funding to purchase new hospital beds for all of the STNA/Nursing Skills labs; as well we will be purchasing a much-needed OBGYN simulator for the DMS program,” he said. “This will help to ensure that all students in the DMS program receive much needed training in working with the OBGYN patient.”
Dolan also said some funds will be used to purchase Anatomage tables for the Springfield, Green, and Bellefontaine campuses.
The Anatomage Table is a technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization and virtual dissection tool for anatomy and physiology education.
Dr. Adam Parrillo, dean of the school of business and applied technologies at Clark State, said this funding comes at an exciting time for the reinvigoration of manufacturing in Ohio.
“The equipment being acquired will enhance our Directed Learning Lab (DLL) approach which enables a more flexible path to acquiring the industrial maintenance knowledge and in-demand skills needed by industry partners,” he said.
Parrillo said Clark State will add a DLL at the Xenia location to support the EV battery industry and adding production logistics trainers at the main Leffel Lane campus.
“More than just serving industry, we expect this equipment to further strengthen our collaborations with high schools and career centers by making this training equipment available in College Credit Plus pathways,” he said.