Pay for College
For many high school graduates, the path to a college degree is paved with significant student loan debt. But at Kent State University at Tuscarawas, a different model is taking shape—one where local industry foots the bill for higher education.
Paul Dykshoorn, the Director of Engineering Technology at KSU Tuscarawas, offers straightforward advice for those who want to avoid massive tuition bills: look to the manufacturing floor.
“We take students with a high school diploma and wherever they're at, we teach them the math, we teach them the science they need to know,” Dykshoorn says. The program is designed for efficiency, allowing students to graduate in two years with an associate degree and the industry-recognized skills required to be immediately employable.
The true advantage of the program, however, lies in its deep integration with the local economy. In Tuscarawas County, the university maintains strong relationships with approximately 20 different manufacturers. This network creates a direct pipeline from the classroom to the workforce.
Many students secure paid internships during the summer after their sophomore year, allowing them to “try on” a potential employer. The financial implications are profound.
“A number of our students finish with very little debt, or entirely debt-free,” Dykshoorn notes.
The financial support often extends beyond paid internships. Several local manufacturing companies are willing to pay for tuition entirely, typically requiring a commitment from the student to remain with the company for a set number of years post-graduation.
Dykshoorn actively encourages prospective students who lack the funds for college to approach local employers directly with a simple proposition: If I work for you, would you be willing to send me to college for free?
“I guarantee you you're going to find some that are willing to do that,” he asserts.
From an employer's perspective, the investment is strategic. By funding a student's education, companies are essentially building their own highly skilled workforce to ensure future growth. As one local manufacturing leader summarized: “It’ll build a great future for you, and we’ll be the ones paying for it.”
This video is part of the Invading Tusc video series.
