College Bound Initiative (CBI)

College Bound Initiative (CBI) is a high school outreach program that increases college awareness and access to underprivileged and underrepresented student populations. We collaborate with local high schools to help students become familiar with the college admissions process.

As the transition from high school to college can be perplexing and generally challenging, the CBI aims to enhance the manageability of the college transition process by providing students with imperative information and the skills necessary to transition to college and persist to graduation.

We work closely with our community partners and local school districts to create pipelines into higher education, more specifically Kent State University and the programs in the College of Education, Health and Human Services.  

A few of our partnerships include:

  • Akron Public Schools

  • Cleveland Metro Schools

  • Project GRAD Akron

  • Upward Bound Kent State

  • Cuyahoga Community College

Representatives of the D.O.D. office visit the local high schools monthly to give presentations on tips and advice for navigating through the transition of college.

Core Topics:

  • Options After High School: The 3 E's

  • Career Interests and choosing a major

  • Searching for Colleges & Scholarships

  • Applying for Financial Aid and College (Application Timeline)

  • Time Management and Organization

  • Resume Building and Interviewing

  • Social Media and Your Brand

  • Relationship Management