Eleven students from Eastland-Fairfield Career & Technical Schools have earned the prestigious ASCENT STEM scholarships. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone for these recent graduates as they prepare to enter higher education and pursue careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
Gathered alongside friends, family, and Eastland-Fairfield staff members, 11 students from various EFCTS programs were recognized for being named to a prestigious list of those having earned an ASCENT scholarship during Eastland-Fairfield’s May Board of Education meeting. Each scholarship totaled $2,500 per student.
The following students, all recent graduates finishing their senior years, were selected for the ASCENT scholarship.
Pranil Khatiwoda (Pickerington Central, Programming & Software Development) - Cedarville University, Molecular Biology
Ben Bilenko (New Albany, Cyber Security) - Ohio State University-Newark, Computer Science
Jesse Johnson (Gahanna, Bioscience) - Rochester Institute of Technology, Biology
Santosh Chuwan (Reynoldsburg, Programming & Software Development) - Columbus State University, Computer Programming
Sabrina Coleman (Bloom Carroll, Pre-Nursing) - Cedarville University, Molecular Biology
Lilyanne Canini (Pickerington North, Bioscience) - Ohio State University, Molecular Genetics
Eliyah Mason (Canal Winchester, Pre-Engineering) - Otterbein University, Mechanical Engineering
Samantha Jones (Liberty Union, Aviation) - Columbus State University, Aviation Mechanic
Chiara Hill (Hamilton Twp., Bioscience) - Undecided, Medical Laboratory Science
Samantha York (Gahanna, Bioscience) - Denison University, Biology
Gunner Langham (Groveport Madison, Aviation) - Columbus State University, Computer Science and Engineering
These scholarships are part of a $3 million grant awarded by the Intel Corporation to support ASCENT, a program that is creating an inclusive workforce training program to cultivate Ohio’s next generation of skilled technical and STEM professionals.
ASCENT is comprised of a broad coalition of institutions, colleges, and technical centers across the southeastern Appalachian region of Ohio. Each will play a vital role in the visualization, delivery, and programming of the overall ASCENT Ecosystem.
Intel’s Semiconductor Education and Research Program for Ohio was announced in March 2022 as part of the company’s pledge to invest $100 million in education and research collaborations with universities, community colleges, and technical educators in Ohio and across the U.S. The program is designed to help build a pipeline of talent and bolster research programs. Of its $100 million investment, Intel designated $50 million specifically to Ohio colleges and universities.
Pictured (L-R): Chiara Hill, Gunner Langham, Lilyanne Canini, Samantha York, Sabrina Coleman, Santosh Chuwan, Eliyah Mason, Samantha Jones.
Missing from photo: Pranil Khatiwoda, Ben Bilenko, Jesse Johnson.