17-04-2025
Stark State College offering programs in the Valley
CAMPBELL, Ohio (WKBN) — A Canton-based community college is offering several different programs and degree options in the Mahoning Valley.
Stark State College held an open house Wednesday at the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center in Campbell.
'We believe that the affordable community college education that leads to in-demand careers is what students and employers and community in the Valley need,' said Stark State College President Para Jones.
It's why Stark State is expanding into the Mahoning Valley and was giving people a sneak peek at an open house Wednesday night.
Jones says healthcare employers, including Mercy Health, Akron Children's, Southwoods and Meridian, reached out and asked them to expand. Stark State is also looking to fill the gap left behind by the closure of Eastern Gateway Community College.
'Our plan is to bring nursing here to Mahoning Valley in fall of 2026 but in fall of 2025, this fall, we're going to be offering all of the foundational courses so students can get started on a pathway to nursing or medical assisting or respiratory therapy or dental hygiene or any of our other health programs,' Jones said.
Stark State has offered college credit plus classes to Campbell schools through the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center for several years, and also offers a medical assisting program. Now it's looking at expanding to more local high schools.
'We're also expanding to more high schools throughout the Valley and in addition to the college courses, we'll be offering to the adults who come to college come fall 2025,' said Jones.
The location for the Mahoning Valley campus is still up in the air.
'It'll be close to the freeway, plenty of parking, very visible location. So we're hunting for that right now,' Jones said.
Stark State's Mahoning Valley campus will also offer a business management degree and associate's degrees in arts and science.
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