Morgan County Learning Center Breaking down barriers to Higher Education for First Generation Students

The Importance of Education Leads to Economic Development Leads to Economic Development Creates Living Wages for a Well-Educated Workforce Creates Living Wages for a Well-Educated Workforce Population Becomes Less Dependent on Social Services Population Becomes Less Dependent on Social Services Increases tax revenue Increases tax revenue

Morgan County in Crisis One of the lowest post-secondary completion rates in the state One of the lowest post-secondary completion rates in the state Historically has the highest unemployment rate in the state due to loss of manufacturing and mining Historically has the highest unemployment rate in the state due to loss of manufacturing and mining Our workforce must be re-educated and re- trained with new skill sets for the emerging 21st Century economy in Ohio. Our workforce must be re-educated and re- trained with new skill sets for the emerging 21st Century economy in Ohio.

Morgan County’s Superhighway There is no 4-lane highway in Morgan County There is no 4-lane highway in Morgan County The World Wide Web is Our Superhighway The World Wide Web is Our Superhighway Essential Computer Skills Essential Computer Skills E-Commerce Economic Opportunities E-Commerce Economic Opportunities Distance Learning at the Center Distance Learning at the Center Cost effective delivery for Consortium members Cost effective delivery for Consortium members Adequate broadband connectivity needed Adequate broadband connectivity needed

Osteopathic Heritage Foundation of Nelsonville Grant Written by community volunteers Written by community volunteers Morgan County Commissioners received $25,000 Morgan County Commissioners received $25,000 Commissioners matched the funds with $25,000 from Capital Improvement Funds Commissioners matched the funds with $25,000 from Capital Improvement Funds Appalachian Regional Commission contributed $25,000 Appalachian Regional Commission contributed $25,000 Genesis Healthcare System contributed $25,000 Genesis Healthcare System contributed $25,000

Other Major Donors Local Jaycees & Kiwanis Local Jaycees & Kiwanis American Electric Power American Electric Power Citizens National Bank Citizens National Bank First National Bank of McConnelsville First National Bank of McConnelsville North Valley Bank North Valley Bank People’s National Bank People’s National Bank Morgan County CIC Morgan County CIC Riverside Country Care Center Riverside Country Care Center Jean Glenn, Washington State Board of Trustees Jean Glenn, Washington State Board of Trustees Morgan County Health Department Morgan County Health Department

Additional Support Kings Furniture Builders Kings Furniture Builders Tim Downs Remodeling Tim Downs Remodeling MIBA Bearings MIBA Bearings Silverheels, Inc. Silverheels, Inc. Dr. Barbara Murrell’s Primecare Office Dr. Barbara Murrell’s Primecare Office

Approx. $165,000 has been raised for the renovation of the Morgan County Learning Center An additional $25,000 may be available through the state budget.

Morgan County Learning Center Classroom for 30 students Classroom for 30 students Computer Lab with accommodations for 15 computers Computer Lab with accommodations for 15 computers Student Lounge/Vending Area Student Lounge/Vending Area Educational Display areas Educational Display areas One office One office

Morgan County Higher Education Consortium Washington State Community College Washington State Community College Muskingum College Muskingum College Zane State College Zane State College Ohio University – Athens Ohio University – Athens Ohio University – Zanesville Ohio University – Zanesville Hocking College Hocking College Marietta College Marietta College

Breaking Down Barriers for First Generation College Students At the request of Washington State, representatives from the Consortium Institutions are working together in a true spirit of collaboration to find ways to offer courses and degree or certificate programs in Morgan County. They are putting aside concerns of territoriality and credit subsidy to help us in our economic recovery.

Current Offerings in Morgan County Washington State is currently running an LPN cohort, with another scheduled to start in January, Washington State is currently running an LPN cohort, with another scheduled to start in January, Muskingum College currently offers coursework for our local school teachers to obtain their Master’s Degrees. Muskingum College currently offers coursework for our local school teachers to obtain their Master’s Degrees. This Spring, Washington State will offer a certificate in Small Business Entrepreneurship. This Spring, Washington State will offer a certificate in Small Business Entrepreneurship.

Community Education Offering non-credit seminars and workshops Offering non-credit seminars and workshops Generates operating revenue for the center Generates operating revenue for the center Does not require accreditation from Consortium Members, so can be scheduled independently. Does not require accreditation from Consortium Members, so can be scheduled independently. Stress Management Stress Management Website Development Website Development Belly Dancing Belly Dancing Eventually, computer classes and workshops Eventually, computer classes and workshops

Other Partners Oho College Access Network Oho College Access Network Ohio Learning Network Ohio Learning Network Jobs, etc., Workforce Development Jobs, etc., Workforce Development

Future Planning SUSTAINABILITY SUSTAINABILITY Establishing a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation with local community members who believe in the value of higher education. Establishing a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation with local community members who believe in the value of higher education.

Morgan County Learning Center Located in the Morgan County Health Building, in front of East Elementary School N. St. Rt. 376 NW McConnelsville, OH Connie Shriver, Coordinator