Orlando, FL – Valencia College has been named a national semifinalist for the ACT’s third National College and Career Readiness program.
This annual program honors a distinguished group of high school students, schools and employers for their efforts to improve students’ prospects for jobs and education.
Now in its third year, ACT’s annual College and Career Readiness Campaign has spread to 34 states. The campaign culminates in ACT’s National Gala for College and Career Readiness in Washington, D.C. on June 9. One student, one high school, one community college and one employer will be chosen from amongst the state exemplars for national recognition.
“Each of the semifinalists represent the truest form of commitment to the importance of college and career readiness,” said Scott Montgomery, ACT’s vice president for policy, advocacy and government relations. “State leaders should be very proud of the students, high schools, community colleges and employers they’ve identified. They all have overcome challenges and made important strides to improve academic achievement and professional advancement across their states.”
Semifinalists were chosen in four award categories: Workplace Success (employers), Career Preparedness (community colleges), College and Career Transition (high schools) and Student Readiness (individual students).
Valencia College was selected as a national semifinalist because the college offers 118 Associate in Science degrees and certificate programs that prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce – and a job placement rate that averages 96 percent. The college’s Accelerated Career Pathways partnership with K-12 schools and local employers develops an educational pathway that enables students to complete college coursework while still in high school. And Valencia’s Bridges to Success team works with at-risk populations to support the transition from high school through the college application and enrollment process and follows them through to graduation.
Other semifinalists include: Iowa Lakes Community College in Estherville, Iowa; Mid-Plains Community College in North Platte, Neb.; and Mitchell Technical Institute in Mitchell, S.D.
The 34 participating states are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
To learn more about the ACT College & Career Readiness Campaign and view highlights from prior years, visit www.act.org/readinesscampaign.