Stark State College offers convenient, affordable higher education in downtown Canton
Ohio’s eighth-largest city, Canton was the only large city in Ohio without a downtown college campus. This motivated Stark State College to begin offering classes downtown and the college expanded its offerings in January 2006 with the opening of the Downtown Canton Satellite Center at the Timken Campus. Classes at the Satellite Center lead to full degree programs offered on the main campus in North Canton.
The Downtown Canton Satellite provides access to higher education for downtown Canton employees, Canton residents and residents of other communities who find it more convenient to attend classes at that site. It also provides access to Timken and McKinley High School students enrolled in Early College High School (ECHS) and dual-enrollment programs.
“The first class will graduate from Early College High School in May, 2009,” said Stark State president, John O’Donnell. “Approximately 40 students will graduate with an associate degree from Stark State, along with their high school diploma. The remaining 24 seniors will have earned a significant number of college credits, some as many as 59 credits, that will enable them to transfer to Stark State or another public college or university where they will continue their college education.”
According to O’Donnell, ECHS provides access to higher education for students who otherwise would not attend college, mostly because of cost. ECHS students graduate with college credit and the confidence that they can succeed in college, which is equally important to their academic and career success, according to O’Donnell.
Adult students, many who live and work in downtown Canton, benefit from the Satellite Center through affordable, convenient college courses that lead to associate degrees and one-year certificates in high-growth, high-demand fields. Stark State is one of the most affordable colleges in the region with tuition of $127 per credit hour.
The Satellite Center has grown substantially since its inception. Fall 2008 enrollment figures indicate 520 students at the site, nearly double the enrollment of Fall 2007. College officials expect enrollment to continue to grow with 40 courses planned for spring semester.
For additional information about the Downtown Canton Satellite Center, call (330) 494-6170 or visit www.starkstate.edu/satellites.
