In 2006, the Lima/Allen County College Access Program received a planning grant from the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) to help high school seniors with the transition to a postsecondary education. This planning grant provided the opportunity for representatives from the regional Education Service Centers, Chambers of Commerce, colleges, and college access programs to create goals for bridging the gap between secondary and postsecondary education. The College Access Program received a two-year grant to pursue the goal of increasing the college-going rate in West Central Ohio by 5%. In order to achieve this goal, four action steps were created; regional coffee nights, middle school campus visits, a summer liaison, and a website of college information.

The program will collaborate with the local colleges, high schools, and Chambers to host six regional coffee nights over the next two years. The purpose of the coffee nights are to enable high school students to talk with current college students about campus life and parents will have the opportunity to speak with college representatives. One middle school campus visit per county is planned to increase early awareness for postsecondary education. The summer liaison will be a mentor for students and will offer assistance throughout the summer and into the first semester to assist with the transitioning period from high school to college. Lastly, the website was created as an avenue for high school seniors and parents to receive information about what to expect in pursuing a postsecondary education. This website contains information about the local colleges, events going on in the region, scholarship information, and tips for college and high school students about campus life.

Angie Meyer, Director
ameyer@limachamber.com
(419) 222-9378

Wendy Schall, Advisor
wschall@limachamber.com
(567) 204-3861

Office located at Lima/Allen County Chamber of Commerce
147 North Main Street
Lima, Ohio 45801
Phone: (419) 222-9378
Fax: (419) 229-0266
Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.