The higher education journey can be an intimidating process. For some University of Akron (UA) students, the Office of Academic Retention and Support (OARS), provides the needed tools and support to succeed at, and graduate from, the University. And the Choose Ohio First (COF) STEMM Scholarship, Summer Bridge and Collegiate Success programs can make a big difference.
Choose Ohio First
Choose Ohio First, which is in its 15th year at UA and is the highest-funded COF grant in the state, provides scholarship and resources for student success. The program is funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) with the goal of strengthening Ohio’s competitiveness within STEMM — science, technology, engineering, math and medical-disciplines by developing scholars in these areas and connecting them with Ohio employers to grow the workforce.
“UA definitely has one of the more successful COF programs in the state and it has a lot to do with how closely we work with our University of Akron partners, including Admissions, Financial Aid, the College of Engineering and Polymer Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, and the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences,” said Jasmina Waters, director of Choose Ohio First/Collegiate Success. “It’s a big deal for us to have this program.”
“We aim to create a student-centered office and a space where our scholars can come and feel welcomed, appreciated and heard,” Waters continued. “The OARS staff has historically been a resource for students. We engage in academic and personal coaching, and we walk alongside students to help them meet goals.” STEMM majors at UA include, but are not limited to, biology, chemistry, geology, exercise science, physics, computer science, computer information systems, engineering, engineering technology, mathematics, statistics, counseling, nursing, speech-language pathology/audiology and education (teaching mathematics or sciences). Students who receive Choose Ohio First funding have access to academic support in the OARS office, which has a computer lab, study areas and tutors that specialize in STEMM fields.
Last year, there were 264 COF undergraduate students at UA. The program has now grown beyond undergraduates as ODHE awarded UA nearly $1.2 million in late 2023 to include students pursuing graduate degrees.
The Choose Ohio First program is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive academic environment and draws students from a wide range of backgrounds such as students who may be the first in their family to go to college, those who are eligible for federal Pell grants for financial need, students who come from rural, Appalachian or urban communities, women, and Black, Indigenous and other students of color, who are traditionally underrepresented in STEMM.
Summer Bridge Program
The Summer Bridge program is a component of Choose Ohio First that gives students a jump-start on the transition from high school to UA. It is open to incoming freshmen who have applied for the Choose Ohio First scholarship.
Summer Bridge participants live on campus for several weeks, take a math course and an elective for credit, and receive tutoring and mentorship opportunities. Activities include daily study groups and workshops. Students take tours of important campus spots, such as Bierce Library, and meet representatives from the UA Counseling and Testing Center, ZipAssist and the offices of Accessibility and Student Financial Aid. They get a sense of how to work through tests and social anxiety, and how to handle communal living in residence halls. The goal is to ensure students feel connected and know where to go if they need extra support.
All COF students also have access to the COF Living-Learning Communities as well as comprehensive academic support through the OARS office.
This includes a computer lab, dedicated study areas, and specialized tutors in both STEMM and non-STEMM fields. This experience helps facilitate even greater success for students while at UA.
Collegiate Success Program
The Collegiate Success program serves a host of students who desire additional wraparound support through academic and personal coaching. In addition to scholars on campus, the Collegiate Success program serves the Innovation Generation scholars from Akron Public Schools. They are supported by peer tutors, mentors and community-building events.
Choose Ohio First scholar Maney Vene, a senior majoring in computer systems information-networking, credits an OARS tutor for helping her through Calculus 1 during the Summer Bridge program. Vene herself has been a peer tutor for both the Summer Bridge and Collegiate Success programs. She also serves as president of UA’s badminton club, vice president of Asian Students in Akron and volunteers with the community group Asian Services in Action.
“Choose Ohio First has been a really good program for me,” said Vene, who was born in Laos and grew up in Akron. “The OARS office staff is always open to us. I go to them for everything, from the biggest problems to the smallest. They’re just my support system.”
Story by Jessica Whitehill
Learn more at uakron.edu/oars.