Eastern Gateway invited to White House event

YOUNGSTOWN

Laura Meeks, president of Eastern Gateway Community College, was one of 27 community college presidents to attend a White House event this week aimed at improving success for students who need remediation.

“We were one of 27 that were picked based on our success,” Meeks said.

The college, based in Steubenville, but with centers in both Youngstown and Warren as well as Columbiana County, is part of the Achieving the Dream initiative, which focuses on closing achievement gaps and speeding up student success. Zane State College in Zanesville, was the only other Ohio community college at the event.

“The reason for the meeting was to improve the national economy and increase the number of adults with higher-education credentials,” Meeks said.

Cecelia Munoz, director of White House Domestic Policy Council, and Arne Duncan, U.S. Education Secretary, recognize community colleges as the “engines of economic development in the country,” Meeks said. “We were very appreciated.”

The colleges made commitments to implement strategies to help improve college persistence and completion for students who enter college academically underprepared.

“There’s a high level of interest from the administration on the work of community colleges in helping people get credit as quickly, effectively and of as high quality as possible,” Eastern Gateway’s president said.

Read more about the recognition in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.