Sen. Jon Husted visited Cincy State to discuss workforce initiatives

Ohio’s U.S. Senator Jon Husted visited Cincinnati State’s Clifton Campus on August 12, 2025, for discussions with College leaders and industry representatives and tours of several College labs.

Much of the roundtable discussion focused on the U.S. Congress’ recent expansion of eligibility for federal Pell Grants to include students who are earning short-term certificates, as well as the opportunities Cincinnati State offers to students who are interested in earning these certificates.

Creating “Workforce Pell” grants has been a long-standing request from organizations like the American Association of Community Colleges and the Ohio Association of Community Colleges.

President Monica Posey thanked Sen. Husted for his support and the Senate’s work to create Workforce Pell grants, while also overturning changes proposed in the U.S. House of Representatives that would have eliminated grants for part-time students and increased credits required for full-time students receiving grants. 

“The House proposals would have had a negative impact on our students and those at other community colleges, as well as a negative impact for employers seeking skilled, technology-trained employees,” Dr. Posey said.

In an interview with WLWT-TV (Ch. 5), Sen. Husted said not everyone wants to earn a 2-year or 4-year degree, but it’s appropriate to provide Pell funding so students can earn short-term credentials, and then “go right into the jobs that many people, many employers in Cincinnati need to fill.”

Dr. Posey also thanked Sen. Husted for his efforts to gain federal funding support for renovations to the College’s Advanced Manufacturing laboratories, and for the previous support he provided to Cincinnati State while he served as Ohio’s Lt. Governor.

Sen. Husted’s visit included a brief tour of the Kenwood Dealer Group Automotive Lab, the Advanced Manufacturing/Mechanical Engineering Lab, and the Health & Public Safety Simulation Lab.