Mentor Schools recently hosted the third annual Cardinal Connect Business Partnership Breakfast as part of Ohio’s In-Demand Jobs Week.
Celebrating the support from community partners, the event served as a platform to honor local organizations, including Lakeland Community College, Component Repair Technologies, The Greater Cleveland Food Bank and United Way of Lake County with the Business Partnership Impact Award.
Joe Glavan, director of Workforce Development, commended the collaborative efforts, emphasizing the outcomes achieved through partnerships. He highlighted the Mentor Schools Career Academies, a result of stakeholder collaboration aimed at aligning student interests with industry demands.
“Our strategic approach and innovative course redesign have expanded student opportunities without imposing additional costs, thus meeting increased student demand and reducing waitlists,” Glavan said.
Superintendent Craig Heath announced a $2.2 million state grant received in March, designated for the renovation of Mentor High School spaces housing the Career Academies.
“This funding facilitates the transformation of key labs, including culinary, construction, aviation and digital media, alongside the establishment of a premier IT and cyber security lab,” Heath said. “These enhancements ensure our students are equipped for evolving job markets.”
Glavan highlighted a significant surge in Career Technical Education participation, with over 50 percent of Mentor High seniors projected to be enrolled in various CTE programs for the fall of 2024.
Heath discussed the balanced approach to education options for students, including Career Tech, College Credit Plus, Honors and Advanced Placement.
“We believe these elements are interconnected,” Heath said. “While our CTE participation is rising, we are equally excited to report that our enrollments in College Credit Plus, Honors and Advanced Placement courses are also up. We are committed to setting higher standards at Mentor, and our students are responding admirably.
“These changes are enhancing all aspects of our students’ educational experiences at Mentor Schools.”
Glavan discussed the significant impact of Lakeland Community College on Mentor Schools, particularly in expanding College Credit Plus opportunities, resulting in dramatic student participation. Their collaboration extends to programs like the Mentor Fire EMT Academy and the newly created Lakeland at Paradigm, ensuring students are well-prepared for future success.
The Greater Cleveland Food Bank and United Way of Lake County have also made significant contributions, distributing over 100,000 pounds of fresh produce to community members in need. Glavan said their support has been invaluable in addressing food insecurity within the community.
Mentor High School Principal Jason Crowe credited Rich Mears, president of Component Repair Technologies, for the increased depth of their partnership with Mentor Schools, extending beyond manufacturing to encompass diverse fields like social media, marketing and HR in a testament to their dedication to nurturing future talent.
“The collective efforts of Mentor Public Schools and its community partners underscore a commitment to fostering student success and addressing evolving workforce needs,” Glavan said.