Marietta High School (MHS) hosted its first Partner in Education “College Signing Event” creating partnerships with four local institutions of higher learning: Chattahoochee Technical College, Georgia Highlands College, Kennesaw State University, and Life University. Each institution signed an agreement to provide support as the school promotes future college and career success. These partnerships will connect students to life after high school in conjunction with its Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program while continuing to grow the educational and economic base of Cobb County.
“We are fortunate to have quality education for grades K-12 and post high school opportunities extending from an associate’s degree to a doctorate degree in one county,” said Marietta City Schools Superintendent Dr. Emily Lembeck. “These newly formed partnerships are a key component to fostering our students’ goals for life success after high school, which is an important part of the Marietta City Schools mission. We are enthusiastic about the possibilities that will result from our collaboration with each institution for this common goal.”
The Partners in Education Program is a collective effort of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce to match businesses and organizations with schools to provide extra funding, unique services and volunteer support. The vision behind the Partners in Education Program is to enrich the learning experience of Cobb’s children so that all develop a strong academic foundation, skills and core values that will benefit them in their community life and in a career.
“Collaborations with Marietta High School through Partners in Education are an important opportunity for students in Cobb County, and particularly in Marietta High School,” notes Life University Provost Dr. Rob Scott. “Life University’s unique perspective as a healthcare institution allows students the opportunity to approach challenging problems in society through the lens of Vitalism. It allows them to come at the solutions from a different angle than conventional approaches, and I think that’s a real plus for a Life University graduate as they go out into the workforce.”
Under the new yearlong agreement, Life University will collaborate in activities associated with MHS’s Career Pathways, athletic programs and non-Career Pathway classes. MHS will promote Life University throughout the their campus community, while also informing the Marietta and statewide communities of the value of Life University.
“Today, we think that this is just a little signing ceremony, but it is not. It’s a celebration of doing something great for our students, and Chattahoochee Tech is very proud to be a part of it. Is it not great when a student can attend Marietta High School and then move on to one of the local post-secondary public or private providers here in Cobb County? It’s a wonderful thing,” said Dr. Ron Newcomb of Chattahoochee Technical College. “It’s about the students getting the education they need for a career that will improve the quality of life for themselves and their families.”
“Kennesaw State has shared a long and fruitful relationship with Marietta City Schools over the years, and this agreement with Marietta High School will only strengthen that connection,” said Kennesaw State University President Daniel S. Papp. “This signing reflects the University’s deep commitment to community engagement. It also illustrates the strategic importance we place on assuring that students have access to high-quality learning experiences at all levels of their education — a goal we share with our partners at the Cobb Chamber and with the other educational partners in this initiative.”
Under the new yearlong agreement, representatives of Kennesaw State’s Office of Community Engagement within the new Division of Economic Development and Community Engagement will meet regularly with Marietta High School leaders. They will review existing projects and explore new pathways for learning, opportunities for engagement, and avenues for student support.
“Today’s commitment with our surrounding higher learning institutes is monumental in that it reinforces the seamless educational opportunities for all students at MHS,” said Principal Forrestella Taylor. “These partnerships will strengthen the existing options for our students to further explore the CTAE Pathways, Move on When Ready and SB2 initiatives, as well as the Arts in greater depth. By providing meaningful and engaging experiences with each of these institutions, we are creating boundless options towards developing college and career ready students.”
