Higher Education : Featured Stories

Southeast Ohio may be off the beaten track, but it is also home to some of the state's fastest growing companies. Many of these startups are propelled to success by the Ohio University Innovation Center, which offers flexible, ready-to-go office space, mentoring and proximity to a growing roster of creative companies.

The communities competing for the $1 million Talent Dividend Prize have a modest goal: boosting the number of college degrees in their city by one percentage point. If every participating city meets that goal, it could raise national earnings by a stunning $124 billion.

What if you lost your job and needed to advance your skills to stay competitive in the market? Where would you turn? Increasingly, community colleges offer accessible training options for displaced workers, inexperienced high school grads and seasoned professionals who are looking to earn a professional certification. The cost is affordable, and their role in helping advance Ohio's economy is priceless.

How does an incorrect soda price at a retailer lead to an emerging tech company? Just ask Case student Mark Lorkowski, who came up with the idea for an electronic shelf display system while shopping for a case of Mountain Dew. With Lorktech, he hopes to drink up a portion of the $250 billion flexible electronics market.

The Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education is leading the region's efforts to increase college attainment levels. Their efforts, called The Northeast Ohio Talent Dividend, has three primary goals: improve college readiness of high school and adult students, increase student retention through degree completion, and increase degree attainment among adults with some college experience but no degree.

From wind turbines and biofuels to the fastest electric car on earth, Ohio's universities are leaders in cutting-edge clean energy technology. A recent conference promoted the linkage between energy and economic security, and also highlighted the need for greater investment and commercialization to secure our state's future as a trailblazer in this growing field. Here's a look at what's next in this burgeoning industry.

Video games no longer are child's play. A multi-billion dollar industry, video game development seduces countless wannabes, each hoping to design the next Call of Duty. Helping to train those people is Cleveland Institute of Art, which recently launched its Game Design program. Combining classes in 3D modeling, game mapping, screenwriting and sound design, this challenging program is no child's play either.