Career program rebrands: ‘MyPath Mahoning Valley’

The Mahoning Valley College Access Program earlier this month unveiled its new name – MyPath Mahoning Valley – to reflect the expanding scope of its service to local high school students.

“Our new name reflects the individualityof the students we serve and our dedication to helping each student identify his or her individual path to success,” said Gerri Jenkins, executive director of MyPath.

“While helping students prepare for college is still an important part of our work, we’re also serving students who need to prepare for other paths, like career or technical training, employment and military service.”

Established in 2001, the agency’s original mission was to help more local students access financial aid for college. But in recent years, MyPath has broadened its work to help high school students prepare for whatever pathways they choose.

The new name and MyPath logo were unveiled earlier this month during a briefing for local media and MyPath supporters. The logo includes a path comprised of multiple blue circles, the largest of which highlights the “My” portion of the name.

MyPath serves students at five local high schools – East, Chaney and Rayen Early College in Youngstown, Warren Harding and Campbell Memorial. Its work is supported by those three school districts, charitable foundations and individual donors.

In addition to individualized counseling for students, MyPath provides resources for students and parents. MyPath is headquartered in the Warren City Schools offices and has student advisors on-site at all five high schools. The advisors are hired through the AmeriCorps program.

“Only about a quarter of the students we serve are interested in going to college, and the rest are looking to pursue career or technical training, employment or military service after high school,” noted Heather Chunn, chairwoman of MyPath’s board of directors and vice president of the Youngstown State University Foundation.

More information is available at MyPath Mahoning Valley’s website, mypathmv.org.

Our new name reflects the individuality of the students we serve and our dedication to helping each student identify his or her individual path to success.

– Gerri Jenkins, executive director