AU launches Talon Track program with Ashland City School District
ASHLAND, Ohio – Leaders from Ashland University and the Ashland City School District signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which outlines a new and expanded collaboration between the two institutions through an initiative called Talon Track, during a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
The two organizations have been strong allies for a number of years and now they have a framework in place that will be beneficial to both and the students they serve. Among the benefits the Talon Track program will provide are educational opportunities for high school students that will enhance their experiences in the classroom and promote the benefits of higher education, support for college-bound students and their families in the search process and an introduction to AU as one example of the college experience.
“Talon Track is the overarching program where … we don’t want to miss students in our own backyard. We’ve always recruited very intentionally from Ashland High School, but this is now taking it to another level,” said Carlos Campo, president of AU. “Having things like a permanent kiosk where students can learn more about our programs (will) really open the door.”
In addition to the kiosk, other specific plans of the Talon Track program include:
- AU faculty visits to teach courses and/or explore careers in various academic disciplines
- Panels of current AU students who will discuss the difference between high school and college
- An onsite financial aid workshop for students and their families, presented by the AU financial aid office
- A career exploration workshop for students and their families, presented by the AU Career Center for Life Calling
- College Credit Plus courses for interested students, offered both in-person and online
- A $1,000 tuition scholarship to graduates of the partner high school who enroll at AU and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA, and another $1,000 housing scholarship for those who choose to reside on campus and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA starting fall 2024
“To have an opportunity for our kids who graduate from Ashland High School, or those students moving up through the ranks as they think about their future, to have something this close to home to be able to have a pathway to be excellent, to succeed … Ashland University has paved the way for accessibility,” said Steve Paramore, superintendent of Ashland City Schools. “For our kids, their futures will be bettered by the Talon Track (program) and making Arrows to Eagles. It’s very exciting. Ashland got better today.”
While Ashland High School is the first official Talon Track partner, AU plans to expand the program and will work with other schools across the region and state that have a shared vision.
“The intentionality reflected in this event is part of the overall Talon Track program. What we are hoping to do is expanding beyond … this is truly just a start,” said Campo. “Our sentiment is we want every Ohio high school student to know about Ashland and know about our programs. We want to be the first-choice school for Ohio students.”
Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.