Information for Educators

Educators across the K-16 spectrum may get involved with Rising Scholars in a number of ways.

The Rising Scholars Program works with local school districts in Columbiana County, with our current focus on the following districts: Beaver Local, Columbiana, Crestview Local, East Liverpool, East Palestine, Leetonia, Lisbon, Salem, Southern, United, and Wellsville.

We hope to expand in the future to all districts in the county as well as neighboring Carrollton, Sebring, South Range, and West Branch districts.

How It Works

Once admitted to the program, each Scholar:

• Participates in the program through high school graduation;
• Receives weekly mentoring from Kent State University students;
• Attends annual summer workshops that focus on academic skills and real-world learning experiences;
• Attends biannual one-day workshops that emphasize the connection between education and local career paths;
• Can participate in our after-school events, including creating items for space with  NASA HUNCH or collaborating on business opportunities with the Youngstown Business Incubator;
• Is eligible for a sponsored scholarship that will assist with the cost of tuition at either Kent State University Columbiana County campus.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Sixth grade educators can also recommend their best and brightest students to participate in our program the following year, since we accept rising seventh graders. Admission requirements include strong academic performance, family income requirements, and the candidate’s potential to be the first generation of their family to attend college. Check with your school counselor for more information, or contact us.

If you’re any other kind of educator, whether you’re a school teacher, or a college professor, we can still use your help! If you teach elementary, middle or high school, we want your opinions on curriculum. Consider important gaps in knowledge that students might be missing (for instance, financial literacy). As a high school teacher, you can also provide us with the needs, questions, and concerns of your college bound students.

If you’re a college professor, consider helping us to address the needs, questions, and concerns of potential college bound students. Also, think about ways students could get exposure to new careers in your fields. Consider helping us design workshops, both throughout the school year and summer. Remember, we want to challenge and excite our scholars about your fields, so we need your help!

Have a great idea or want to share something with us? Contact Dr. Jessica Paull, Academic Program Director, by phone 330-337-4124 or by email (jpaull@kent.edu).