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Press Release - October 20, 2025
Contact: Scott Marshall, Director of External Relations/Chief Public Information Officer
937-512-4442 (Office) / scott.marshall1@sinclair.edu

Sinclair Community College Announced as a Recipient of the $7.1M Statewide Grant to Establish Career Pathway Support Networks
Seven (7) Regional Institutions Received Funding to Help More Ohio Students Explore Careers
Dayton, Ohio --- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Ohio Department of Education and Workforce Director Stephen Dackin announced the recipients of the Career Pathway Support Network Grant. This $7.1 million statewide grant is an investment to bring career-connected learning opportunities, as well as career planning support to more students across Ohio.
Sinclair Community College was announced as one of seven (7) regional institutions to receive funding from this grant. The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce announced that it will award funding to Sinclair, recognized as a regional lead institution, in the amount of $857,292.67 across two-years.
“We are thankful for the vote of confidence from Governor Mike DeWine, Lt. Governor Jim Tressel, and Chancellor Mike Duffey on being named as a recipient of the Career Pathway Support Network Grant,” said Dr. Steve Johnson, President & CEO at Sinclair Community College. “Sinclair greatly appreciates its continued partnerships with our region’s schools, career centers, and ESCs in working together to bring career-connected learning opportunities to more students, for less money.”
The funds received from the Career Pathway Support Network Grant will go toward Sinclair’s regional partnerships in advancing career tech education and navigating career counseling support services for K-12 students. These funds will continue to support a clear pathway for students, through career exploration, into the workforce.
Sinclair, along with its regional partners and in conjunction with the six other regional institutions receiving funds, together will establish seven (7) regional Career Pathway Support Networks that are aligned with the state’s JobsOhio regions. They will each focus on better preparing Ohio students for in-demand careers with expanded career-technical education, as well as advising, mentoring, and exposure to professions.
A release from Governor DeWine’s office stated, “Our continued support of expanding career-technical education and career planning for our students is an investment in Ohio’s future,” said Governor DeWine. “By creating Career Pathway Support Networks, more students will be able to access the in-demand skills and experiences they need to be successful after high school and reach their full potential.”
This grant funding will replace the existing Tech Prep Regional Centers with new Career Pathway Support Networks. These networks will expand on the Tech Prep model to achieve three main goals: increase access to and participation in career-technical education (CTE) for students in grades 7-10, guarantee that all students receive high-quality career advising, and better align education with regional workforce needs. This alignment will be achieved through stronger partnerships among schools, colleges, and local employers.
The release from Governor DeWine’s office further stated, “As more businesses move into Ohio and grow here, we have an incredible number of opportunities coming our way. We need to make sure our next generation is ready to take advantage of these opportunities,” said Lt. Governor Tressel. “Establishing these Career Pathway Support Networks will help us keep building on our work alongside local partners to strengthen Ohio’s future workforce and meet the unique needs of employers in each region of the state.”

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About Sinclair Community College
Sinclair Community College offers more than 325 degree and certificate programs, including four bachelor’s degrees, in specialized and technical areas of study that are in high demand in the Dayton region. Sinclair is recognized as a local and national leader in delivering high-quality and affordable higher education. In 2023, Sinclair Community College was named the top college in the country for sustained and persistent student success when it received the esteemed Leah Meyer Austin Award from Achieving the Dream. One of the oldest and best-known community colleges in the nation, Sinclair was founded in 1887 and is a board member of the prestigious League for Innovation in the Community College. Learn more at Sinclair.edu