CAMPBELL, Ohio – The Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem has been selected to join the Global STEM Ecosystems Initiative, a worldwide movement that brings together leaders from education, business, government and community organizations to develop high-quality STEM learning opportunities.

“So our students, the K-12 populations, we make sure when they graduate they know what’s out there, job-wise, whether they go to a certification program or go to college,” said Cheryl McArthur, business manager at the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center. “But we’re trying to build our workforce so companies will come in and stay and then keep our population here.”

Further, she said STEM training is important for adults who need retrained or those who are just going into the workforce.

The Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem, with Campbell City School District serving as the backbone organization, previously was partnering with five other regional STEM Ecosystem organizations across Ohio, but the strategic partnership with the Global STEM Ecosystem will open up additional STEM-related opportunities for local students and workforce training, McArthur said.

“Because if you think about it, STEM is the base for everything,” she said. “I mean, no matter what you do, there’s some form of science and technology in every job. So we want to get everybody involved, because we want this area to be sustainable and people to be able to stay here and get a good, livable-wage job. Economic development and education are intersecting.”

At the center of the initiative locally is the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center, which launched in 2020 to be a lifelong learning, workforce training and community engagement hub.

In helping STEM students and others using the center to reach their full potential, the CLWCC also currently partners with higher education institutions such as Stark State College and Youngstown State University; STEM program providers like the Ohio Afterschool network and Oh Wow! The Roger & Gloria Jones Children’s Center for Science & Technology; and government and health care businesses such as Southwoods Health, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Akron Children’s Hospital, Sight For All United and the Mahoning County Mental Health and Recovery Board. 

Other community partnerships include the Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, MyPath, the Community Foundation of Mahoning Valley, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber and the Appalachian Children’s Coalition. 

McArthur said not only will the Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem benefit from the local organizations already partnering with them, but now they can reach out to Global members across the U.S. and worldwide. Instead of reinventing a program or event, the ecosystem can help advise them on what works and how it has worked elsewhere.

The announcement of the global partnership was touted by local partners, including Beth Donofrio, Campbell City School Board president; Matt Bowen, Campbell City Schools superintendent; Guy Coviello, president and CEO of the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber; Para Jones, president of Stark State College; Paul Oliver, vice president of Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley Enterprises; and Bill Johnson, president of YSU.

But it was Jenny Frank, director of the Global STEM Ecosystems Initiative, who summed up the benefits others can gain from working with the Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem.

“We are particularly excited to welcome the Mahoning Valley Regional STEM Ecosystem into our initiative,” Frank said. “Their innovative approach to workforce development through the Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center, combined with their strong industry partnerships and focus on creating seamless pathways from early education to career, exemplifies the kind of collaborative impact we strive to achieve in our global network.”

An announcement inviting local businesses to meet with the global network leaders is expected in the next few weeks.

Pictured at top: The Community Literacy Workforce and Cultural Center.