State Rep. Kathleen Clyde, who represents Central and
Southern Portage County in Ohio’s 75th District, addresses
Kent State University students at the Kent Student Center.

State Rep. Kathleen Clyde, who represents Central and Southern Portage County in Ohio’s 75th District, met with 30 of Kent State University’s Choose Ohio First scholarship students on Friday, Feb. 13, at the Kent Student Center to discuss a wide range of issues.

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program provides scholarship support to Ohio residents who wish to pursue degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medicine (STEMM). The state of Ohio, recognizing that a workforce trained in these areas is essential for strengthening its economy, created the program to provide tuition support to Ohio residents pursuing STEMM degrees.

After a brief presentation focused on the need for more state support for affordable higher education, more clean energy jobs and the need for young people to vote and testify in the Statehouse, she took several questions from students.

Student questions ranged from sustainability, renewable energy standards and green initiatives to the cost of textbooks, legalization of marijuana and gay marriage, and a variety of economic issues.

Clyde, who’s in her third term in the Ohio House of Representatives, recently announced that she will be a ranking member on Government Accountability and Oversight and will serve on several committees, including Finance and Appropriations, Public Utilities, and the Finance and Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation.

She was born and raised in Garrettsville, Ohio, in northeast Portage County, and now lives and works in Kent. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Wesleyan University in Connecticut and law degree from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. For more information about Clyde, visit www.ohiohouse.gov/kathleen-clyde.

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program offers several academic areas eligible for support for Ohio residents applying to Kent State or already enrolled full-time. For more information, visit http://www2.kent.edu/chooseohio1st/index.cfm.