Visit our website at www.ohiocan.org/lucas Northwest Ohio College Access Program: Think College Now
Program History
The initiative started in 2002 was designed as a partnership with the Lucas County School Districts, some Wood County School Districts, area Rotary Clubs, and local colleges and universities to provide college awareness and access resources to students of the greater Toledo area. The first year has focused on establishing the program in the community and developing resources and relationships to make post-secondary education or training a viable option and expectation for students.
School Districts
- Anthony Wayne Local Schools
- Maumee City Schools
- Oregon City Schools
- Ottawa Hills Local Schools
- Perrysburg Schools
- Penta Career Center
- Rossford Public Schools
- Springfield Local Schools
- Sylvania Public Schools
- Toledo Catholic Schools
- Toledo Public Schools
- Washington Local Schools
- Lucas County Educational Services Center
Rotary Clubs
- Reynolds Corners
- Maumee
- Oregon-Northwood
- Springfield-Holland
- Sylvania
- Toledo
- Trilby West
- Waterville
Colleges and Universities
- The University of Toledo
- Lourdes College
- Owens Community College
Program Goals
The Mission of Think College Now is to provide the opportunity for students in Northwest Ohio, who have the desire and have developed the requisite skills, to obtain education beyond high school.
The three pillars of Think College Now are:
- To establish a central resource center to provide students and families information about post-secondary education or training, such as financial aid, college selection, career planning, etc.
- To provide mentoring programs built on the foundation of the existing Rotary STRIVE Program (Students Taking a Renewed Interest in the Value of Education).
- To furnish direct financial support through last-dollar scholarships and to coordinate the pursuit of external financial aid.
Staff and Volunteers
Libbey McKnight, Think College Now Executive Director, will coordinate all organization and program matters, including contact with the students, schools, community and other stakeholders. Further, Think College Now will continue to identify individuals from the area Rotary Clubs and colleges and universities who will serve in a mentorship role to help students with the transition from high school to college or other training.
Lucas County is also a GEAR UP Lighthouse site. GEAR UP Ohio envisions every student, regardless of his or her parents’ wealth, ethnic background or geographic location, graduating from high school with the knowledge and skills he or she needs to succeed in college and the workplace—and it sees a future in which fewer students need remediation during their first year of postsecondary education. For more information, please visit http://www.regents.state.oh.us/gearup/index.html
For more information on the Northwest Ohio College Access Program (Think College Now), contact:
Ms. Libbey McKnight
Executive Director
Think College Now
Northwest Ohio College Access Program
1301 Monroe Street
Toledo, OH 43624-1815
Phone: (419) 340-5821
E-Mail: lmcknight_1@netzero.net
College Access Program Map