For Immediate Release: October 30, 2006
Contact Person: Jennifer Blatz, Executive Director, 513.830.1200

Ohio College Access Network Announces Second Regional Center of Excellence Pilot

CINCINNATI (October 30, 2006) – Progressing toward a more streamlined approach to college access services that includes the extensive use of technology, economies of scale and shared services, the Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) is pleased to announce the launch of the second Regional College Access Center of Excellence in Central Ohio.

“I CAN Go To College of Marion County and the Crawford College Connection of Crawford County are two strong existing OCAN member programs that will work collaboratively to establish the new I CAN Center of Excellence,” said Jennifer Blatz, Executive Director of OCAN.  “We are confident that this pilot initiative will result in model for regional college access service delivery that can be replicated throughout Ohio.”  The I CAN Center of Excellence will be a regional college access center servicing a seven county region to include Crawford, Delaware, Hardin, Marion, Morrow, Union, and Wyandot counties with an aggressive goal to reach students at all grade levels P-16 as well as some non-traditional populations.  This is the second Regional College Access Center of Excellence pilot in the state of Ohio.  The Southern Ohio Center of Excellence was the first pilot launched in January of 2006.

I CAN Center of Excellence

The I CAN Center of Excellence’s vision is to replicate the existing services offered by I CAN go to college of Marion County and the Crawford College Connection throughout the seven county region, to develop new programs that will address missing components and populations in the region, to develop a central walk-in office, and develop a mobile center of access that will travel throughout the seven county region to provide the access services within the local communities on a rotating basis.  The I CAN Center of Excellence will utilize partnerships with The Ohio State University at Marion, Marion Technical College, Marion Area Tech-Prep Consortium, the local school districts, Departments of Job and Family Services, United Way programs, and the local chambers of commerce in the seven county service area.         

Ohio College Access Network (OCAN)

OCAN is the first statewide network of independent, community-based college access programs in the country.  These programs help students and families overcome barriers to postsecondary education, including costs and misconceptions.  They deliver hands-on guidance and financial support, most of which is provided by local individuals and businesses, who have raised over $13 million, with the State of Ohio as a valuable partner. Through support from the Governor’s office and the Ohio Legislature, OCAN has been able to grow from eleven college access programs to 35 in four years.

OCAN is now working with communities to combat low college going rates with a regional approach that enables communities to leverage key existing resources through a collaborative approach.

According to Ms. Blatz, “The addition of the second regional college access center brings OCAN one step closer to its goal of providing college access opportunities for all Ohioans.”

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OCAN was founded in 1999, by KnowledgeWorks Foundation, in collaboration with the Ohio Board of Regents, the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Business Roundtable.  OCAN works to establish college access programs across the state and is the first statewide coordinating body for college access programs in the country. The goal of the organization is to help more Ohio students pursue postsecondary education through the work of local college access programs, which provide financial aid advising, last dollar grants, career guidance, and other services.