by Heidie Raine, Student Public Relations Writer
Three Cedarville students were named 2020 scholarship recipients this fall by Dayton Workforce Partnerships (DWP).
Brandt Howett and Jordan Ernst, senior nursing students, and Josiah Lansford, a senior computer science and information technology management double major, are among 14 of the 729 applicants in the Greater Dayton area to be recognized by DWP for their educational excellence and developing workforce skills.
“We look for students with both academic and workforce histories that align with our region’s STEM, health care, and business needs,” DWP vice president Ron Adler noted. “Our goal is to recognize and retain talent in the Dayton area. We want to keep as much talent here as possible.”
The multistep application process for the DWP Scholarship includes an initial online questionnaire, plus submission of a resume and the applicant’s academic history. Once applications were panel-reviewed, finalists were contacted for telephone interviews.
“I answered questions about my career goals and where I intended to live once I graduate,” Ernst said. “Before my final selection notification, I talked with Ron about my past job and college experiences and what I wanted to do post-graduation.”
The $1,000 award has helped ease the financial burden often tied to education, making university expenses more affordable for recipients.
“The scholarship means a lot to me,” Howett said. “I didn’t grow up with a ton of extra money, so I wouldn’t be able to go to a fantastic university like Cedarville without it.”
DWP also provides all winners and applicants with helpful career connections through its talent network.
“The talent network connects people locally with employers when needs arise,” Adler said. “We make sure to stick with students even once they find employment because we want to help them when they look to switch jobs in the future.”
“There’s a growing tech scene in Columbus right now, and I’m seeing more and more startup tech companies like some of the ones DWP connected me with,” Lansford noted. “Currently, I’m looking into software development roles in full-stack web development, and with my double major, I feel equipped to be an effective connection between the engineers and software developers working together in those.”
With graduation approaching this spring for all three scholarship recipients, the benefits of this award are easing some of the stress associated with beginning their careers.
“Having the security of the program’s assistance in finding a job when I graduate is comforting, and I appreciate their willingness to help,” Ernst shared.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,550 undergraduate, graduate and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, including the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, and the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Management programs, and the strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit www.cedarville.edu.