Clark State College was named among the first group of Ohio colleges, universities, and Ohio Technical Centers to earn the Ohio Reach Postsecondary Designation by Chancellor Randy Gardner of the Ohio Department of Education (ODE).
The Reach Postsecondary designation recognizes Clark State as being supportive and inclusive of foster care-connected students.
“It is our hope that all students feel a sense of inclusion and belonging at Clark State,” said Nina Wiley, assistant vice president of student affairs at Clark State. “Through a culture of care lens, we believe we can provide opportunities and meaningful support to students with lived experience in foster care. Building and maintaining relationships with students and advocating for their needs is incredibly important.”
Requirements for the designation include:
- Naming a designated campus liaison.
- Identifying champions in a minimum of three campus departments.
- The designated liaison must have the ability to connect students to resources, both on-campus and the community.
- Community building opportunities must be offered to students.
- Institutions must engage in targeted outreach to students with efforts made to identify and support them, expanding the eligibility of on-campus services.
- Each university program must offer a mentorship program to Ohio Reach students.
“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.”
The Ohio Reach Postsecondary designation is awarded to campuses that depict their support of students with experience in foster care or kinship. 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.