Partnering with local researchers, Cleveland Talent Hub identifies in-demand jobs and equity gaps in filling them. Using this information, the Hub supports adult students in the region and directs them to appropriate programs leading to good employment opportunities. The Hub works with area universities to identify stop-out students who might be interested in returning to college, reaching out to them, and helping them find support (both financial and academic) so that they can complete their programs efficiently.
A regional collaborative of eight public colleges and universities, the Ohio Department of Higher Education, Ithaka S+R, and College Now Greater Cleveland, the Ohio Compact is an innovative program allowing students to return to one of the participating institutions despite owing institutional debt that likely resulted in a transcript hold. As students make progress towards their degree or certificate, they are eligible to receive up to $5,000 in debt forgiveness plus the release of their transcript.
Since launching in August 2022, the Ohio Compact institutions have directly reached out to more than 8,000 eligible students, and hundreds of those students have met with advisors to discuss re-enrollment. Over 900 individuals logged their interest through the Compact website. At least 60 students have already committed to return to college, and many more are anticipated to re-enroll for spring 2023. In large part, the success of the Ohio Compact is due to high-quality partnerships across the state.
Team NEO is a business and economic development organization focused on accelerating economic growth and job creation through the 18 counties of Northeast Ohio. Their work is drive by robust data analysis that helps create a clear picture of what is and is not working across our regional economy.