Buckeye Reporter

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) convened more than 30 Ohio college and university presidents for his 16th annual College Presidents Conference in Washington, D.C. The Conference brings together Ohio education leaders of Ohio’s 4-year and 2-year universities, colleges, community colleges and technical schools to discuss ways to expand opportunity for Ohioans and prepare them for jobs in Ohio’s growing industries. The presidents will also meet with leaders from companies like Intel, to discuss how the private sector can be a better partner in investing in its future workers. A full list of the college leaders at the event can be found HERE.

“We have public and private schools represented, big and small, research universities and community colleges. That means we can meet students where they are, no matter what path they take or when they choose to take it,” said Brown. “Your institutions are important drivers of our state’s economy. Our job is to create opportunity, and show young Ohioans that they’ll be able to build a life and a future in Ohio.”

During the Conference, presidents will hear from a variety of speakers from the public and private sector, including Rick Gilmore, M. Ed, Performance Assessment and Evaluation Program Manager for NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) and Gabriela Cruz Thompson, Senior Director, University Research & Collaboration in Intel Labs, Intel Corporation. The Conference will also highlight experts who will discuss the importance of educating and registering students to vote and engage in civic engagement on campus.

Brown is fighting to make higher education more affordable and increase access to educational opportunities for Ohioans -- from technical and job training programs to community college to 4-year and 2-year universities and colleges Brown is a cosponsor of the Community College Student Success Act, which would fund programs at community colleges to support students by providing comprehensive wraparound services, including free tutoring, textbooks, and transportation. He has also supported the Tax-Free Pell Grant Act to help students take full advantage of higher education tax credits and Pell Grants to pursue a college education. 

Intel has committed to a $50 million investment in Ohio higher education initiatives targeting the semiconductor industry. Intel’s announcement is in partnership with the U.S. National Science Foundation, which will provide an additional $50 million for research grants nationally that will be available to Ohio institutions. This announcement follows Intel’s plan to build a $20 billion semiconductor plant in New Albany, which is expected to create 10,000 jobs.

 Original source can be found here.