Early College Rocks!

To Kathryn Reed, a junior from Mansfield Senior High School, and first year student in the CollegeNOW program, the robot is the coolest part of her education – so far, “I’m all about the robots. I love machining. I didn’t think I would, but it was so cool. I think everyone should take it.”

Flashing a smile, she continued to talk about the CollegeNOW experience, “I was most concerned about missing my friends, and Mansfield Senior. But once I got here, it was great. I see my old friends on the weekends, and I’ve made a whole bunch of new ones from schools all over the place.”

To her parents’ generation, the robot was a dance performed at a disco.

CollegeNOW is a two-year, problem-based learning program for high school juniors and seniors. It is a collaboration between the Pioneer Career and Technology Center, and North Central State College, where students earn dual credit toward graduation at their high school, and at North Central State College. At the end of the two-year program, CollegeNOW students graduate with both their high school diploma, and an Associate Degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology. They can then transfer to programs at a number of colleges and universities to further their education in engineering. Or go their own way, bringing some valuable college credits along with with them.

“I’m hoping to attend Columbia University in New York, but I also like the University of Cincinnati, and Toledo. I’m thinking of biomed, or pre-med, so I won’t get to transfer all of my college credits, but most of the core courses should transfer.”

Would Kathryn recommend CollegeNOW to others? “I already have. I tell them they’ll love it! Especially the girls, there are a lot of opportunities for girls in engineering today.

We need more girls in CollegeNOW!”

Continuing to discuss her switch to medicine, she flashed the bright smile again and said, “I figure I’ll be one of the few people in medical school who have done machining.” Seeing her energy, and enthusiasm for both, it would be no surprise if Kathryn figures out a way to bring both robots, and medicine together someday.

Are You Ready for CollegeNOW?

College-NOW is a dual-credit, dual-enrollment program for high school juniors and seniors. The program is a partnership between North Central State College, Pioneer Career and Technology Center, and North Central Ohio College Tech Prep. During their two years in College-NOW, students earn their high school diploma with the opportunity to also earn an Associate in Technical Studies degree in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology.

College-NOW students receive practical, hands-on instruction, partner with engineers working in the field through a Problem Based Learning approach and are taught by teams of teachers from high school, college, and professionals in the engineering field.

Students in the program will still be connected to their associate home school with all the benefits, including sports and other extra curricular activities.

Past CollegeNOW graduates have successfully transferred to The University of Akron, Miami University, Case Western Reserve, The University of Toledo, and The Ohio State University saving not only two years of valuable time but also thousands of dollars in tuition expenses. Some students have chosen to enter the workforce with their associate degree from North Central State College and are making between $35,000 and $50,000 a year upon graduation from high school.

College-NOW is open to all students in the North Central College Tech Prep Consortium, which encompasses 17 school districts. We are accepting applications now! For more information, contact Deanna Strauss at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 419-755-4794.