Aspire Program Continues Under Eastern Ohio Name

STEUBENVILLE, Ohio – The Aspire program marked the end of one era and the beginning of another for adult education opportunities, with members of the final graduating class at Eastern Gateway Community College earning their high school equivalency diplomas July 19. 

The program is now designated Eastern Ohio Aspire and is moving forward under the Jefferson County Educational Service Center.

Funded by the Aspire grant through the Ohio Department of Education, Eastern Ohio Aspire offers adult educational services and assists with high school equivalency diplomas and offers services for English speakers of other languages, integrated education and training, correctional education, distance learning and workplace and family literacy. 

Eastern Ohio Aspire covers Jefferson, Belmont, Harrison, Carroll, Columbiana and Mahoning counties.

Five of the 66 graduates were able to attend and accept their diplomas at EGCC. 

Liteta Erickson of Toronto, Ohio, became emotional when she spoke of the hard work that led to the “cap and gown moment,” and of support from Aspire instructors.

“They pushed. They believed. There were times when I felt like I lost confidence in myself,” Erickson said. “They didn’t. They believed in me more than I believed in myself at one point. They took their time. They believed that I would go somewhere.”

Erickson shared the joy of learning she had passed her final exams.

“I am very proud of myself,” she said. “Who would have thought a 60-year-old woman would walk across this stage?” 

An integrated education and training student, she is certified in food handling and customer service and plans to pursue college education.

Justin Stradwick of Martins Ferry said Aspire offered hope after he had dropped out of high school. The relationships he forged with staff helped him during difficult schoolwork. He plans to attend the police academy.

“This is really, really important, and I’m just thankful for this opportunity,” he said.

Julian Walker, associate pastor of Restoration Christian Fellowship Church in Warren and an Aspire instructor for Mahoning County, was the commencement speaker. He shared his own story of pursuing an education after dropping out of college.

“The things that you have encountered, the things that you have overcome, the things that you have come through have given you the tenacity, the fortitude and general grit in life to say. ‘I know that I can, because I’ve already done,’” Walker said.

Walker said such attitudes are the staple of Aspire, whether the adult students are younger or have gray in their hair. He urged the students to continue learning, make a strong foundation of their experiences and never quit.

Afterward, he said he was drawn to Aspire by staff members’ commitment to connecting individually with students and understanding their goals.

Karla Martin, senior executive director with Aspire, reflected on her work growing Aspire from Jefferson County to its current role in serving adult learners in six counties. 

She credited the support of Christina Wanat, former senior vice president with EGCC, and Saundra Lee, career navigator with Aspire. Martin said the Aspire staffers are the key to the program’s success.

“We don’t just care about you getting a high school equivalency. We care about you succeeding in all aspects of your life,” she said. “We want you to do better. We want you to be better.”

Martin said the staff and all their dedication will carry over to the program’s new home with JCESC.

“This program will not stop,” she said, adding JCESC has been open to the needs of Aspire in the six counties and has accepted Aspire with open arms. The program will continue its service to those communities.

Vice Chancellor Gary Cates of the Ohio Department of Higher Education told the graduates their achievement was a powerful message, and they had many opportunities ahead of them. He said there are more jobs in the state than there are people to fill them and an abundance of resources available should they seek further accreditation.

“Don’t make this the last time you put on a cap and gown,” he said. “Keep going until you’re where you want to be.”

Art Daly, interim president of EGCC, commended the students and wished them well going forward.

Afterward, Martin said Aspire staff members go the extra mile. They speak with students who have obstacles, such as lack of transportation, and they connect these students with services. Staff members’ doors have always been open for students with questions.

“Along with listening to them, they try to find the need that they need in their life so they can keep coming to class,” Martin said. “That’s why we’ve become a family. We’re there to help them.”

Classes continue as of July 1 at Ohio Means Jobs sites in each county. The program is year-round and assists adult learners at various stages of education with earning their degrees.

For more information, email [email protected]. A web page will soon be added to www.jcesc.k12.oh.us.

Pictured at top: From left are Gary Cates of the Ohio Department of Higher Education; Karla Martin, Aspire senior executive director; graduates Bryce Roscoe, Karlee Walker, Justin Stradwick, Liteta Erickson and Gabriel James; Art Daly, EGCC interim president; and Jeremy Miller, Aspire executive director.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.