Maritime Academy of Toledo junior Jada Jones doesn’t know yet what she wants to do once she graduates, but the 16-year-old is hopeful that a new partnership between her school and Lourdes University will help her figure it out.
The teen stood behind Maritime Academy Superintendent Aaron Lusk as he and Lourdes University President William Bisset signed a collaboration agreement Thursday that will allow Lourdes officials to connect students such as the Jones youth with tutoring, financial aid, and other forms of academic assistance.
Mr. Bisset said the partnership benefits Lourdes by creating a potential student pipeline between the academy and the university. For Maritime students, Mr. Lusk said they’ll gain access to Lourdes courses and programs along with resources to help them realize their options for education and careers post-high school.
The latter offering appealed to the young Jones as she stood in Lourdes’ Russell J. Ebeid Hall Welcome Center. As a potentially first-generation college student, she’s hoping to connect with university officials who can help her determine her career path.
“I just need all the help I can get,” she said.
The Maritime Academy is a charter school that offers students in grades 6-12 options to pursue study and credentials for careers on the water, including jobs in culinary, welding, dental, and environmental science. The school opened in 2006 and is on Water Street along the Toledo waterfront, where students gain hands-on experience using aquatic simulators, fully operable boats, and a full-sized pool, among other academy assets.
But while many students who have graduated since the school opened in 2006 have gone on to pursue lucrative maritime careers, Mr. Lusk worries about those who don’t utilize their skills or pursue college degrees upon graduation because they lack guidance and support.
“I would see students with these big-time credentials... And they'd end up getting a job down the street from their house because it was easy and nobody in their families or relations knew how to support or push them to branch out and do things that made them a little uncomfortable,” Mr. Lusk said. “I want our students to have everything they need and have the freedom to succeed.
“And so with this partnership, our kids can have a very immersive experience so they can learn about where they go to talk about financial aid and see where their classes are,” he added. “And then all of a sudden, they're not as nervous to undertake such a challenging situation.”
Mr. Bisset, who took over as Lourdes president in June, said initial talks of a partnership with the academy took place roughly two weeks ago when he met James Hartung, vice chairman of the Maritime Academy Governing Board. Soon after, a second meeting included Mr. Lusk and others from the academy board of directors, and all quickly agreed to collaborate.
“I am always interested in collaboration and partnerships with anybody who shares the great things in the mission of Lourdes,” Mr. Bisset said. “And what the [Maritime Academy] calls the ‘maritime way’ is so consistent with what we're trying to do with our students to engage them and provide that student-centric experience.
“Obviously, I'm hoping that this partnership yields even more students from Maritime Academy,” he added, “but if we can also provide support and help to students — especially first-generation students as far as the whole college search process is concerned — even if they don't end up at Lourdes, at least we've still done a good thing.”
First Published October 13, 2023, 8:14 p.m.
