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Clark State Community College’s graduation is particularly special, and of course I am biased. This May, Clark State conferred nearly 700 degrees and certificates — a record number for us. However, these graduates aren’t numbers to us. Joining these graduates were their families and friends, who are all positively impacted by the increased educational attainment of these students. Here are some statistics that demonstrate the economic impact of Clark State and its graduates:
• $95,975,400 — Clark State’s economic impact in our region as calculated by SOCHE, the Southwestern Ohio Council on Higher Education.
• 85 percent of Clark State graduates stay in our region and contribute to our local economies.
• 1521 students transferred from Clark State to a four-year college or university in the 2016-17 academic year.
• $4170 is the total cost of tuition and fees for full-time attendance (30 credit hours during fall and spring) at Clark State.
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Beyond statistics, Clark State’s graduation ceremony is a celebration of student success. We recognized a graduating Kenton Ridge High School senior who was also graduating from Clark State with her two-year, fully transferrable associate of arts degree. Not only is this accomplishment noteworthy in and of itself, but this student’s family saved nearly $10,000 to $20,000 off the cost of tuition alone for a four-year, baccalaureate degree. This student participated in the College Credit Plus (CCP) program, which has collectively saved students and their families nearly $7 million in tuition and fees at Clark State since 2014.
Our graduation speaker was one of our students, Tammie Jo Wright, who majored in Human Resources and is currently employed at Vana Solutions in Beavercreek. She went back to college after raising her family, including a son who graduated from Clark State in 2016.
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Wright embodies the values, drive, resiliency, and determination that so many of our students possess. They have overcome many obstacles in order to attend Clark State, and once on campus, they thrive. Here is her advice to our graduates:
“To those that are graduating with me today, as you open the door to the next chapter in your life, I would like to challenge each and every one of you to fly higher. You have laid the foundation by obtaining your certificate or associate degree. Why stop now? Take it to another level, work towards your advance certification, bachelor’s or master’s degree, or whatever path you have chosen. You may be telling yourself this will be too hard. Yes, there will be trials and roadblocks along the way, but don’t give up and don’t stop. Today is proof you are capable of overcoming any obstacle you may face.”
Wright is yet another example of the transformative power of a community college education. She did an excellent job of representing the tremendous value proposition that Clark State offers the region — a quality, affordable college education that provides occupational training or the first two to three years of transferrable college credit toward a baccalaureate degree. While we celebrate all of our students at graduation, we are reminded every day of Clark State’s positive impact in our region.
Jo Alice Blondin, Ph.D., is presidentof Clark State Community College.
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