May 31, 2022

Fellows:
Tony Box, Marion Technical College
Danielle Tracy, Owens Community College
Antwain Tyus, Cuyahoga Community College

Project Advisor:
Lori McKee, North Central State College

Executive Summary:
Obtaining a college degree has become a contributing factor in achieving the coveted American Dream. It has become society’s chief mechanism for individual advancement, upward mobility, economic growth, and social equity. How, we might ask, can we bring many more young adults to a bright future? Institutions of higher education must enroll and retain larger numbers of students from underrepresented groups (Mintz, S., 2017). How do we motivate and prepare underrepresented students to enter college? Strengthening relationships between high school partners, student influencers, and the college campus community is critical for success. Furthermore, high school students must have confidence and assurance that they belong on the college campus. To that end, our project will offer a plan which focuses on career exploration which will aspire and motivate students to enroll in college with an established major.