IOWA CITY, Iowa—The 2016 ACT College and Career Readiness Campaign is under way, and with 41 participating partner states this year, the campaign will provide scholarships to more students than ever before.
Since ACT launched the annual campaign with six states in 2012, it has rapidly expanded into a broad national endeavor, honoring the achievements of exceptional students, schools, and employers in every region of the country.
Education and workforce leaders in each state—members of the all-volunteer ACT State Organization Councils—have spurred the campaign’s impressive growth. State Council members work from September through March to identify and recognize individuals and organizations for their commitment to improving or embodying the importance of education and career prospects for all.
Nominated students in each participating state receive an academic scholarship from ACT.
“Thanks to the enthusiasm and dedication of our State Councils, ACT has the opportunity to shine a brighter spotlight on the people who work tirelessly to improve their schools and workplaces,” said Scott Montgomery, ACT vice president for policy, advocacy, and government relations. “In the coming months, we look forward to sharing their inspirational stories and innovative ideas.”
Each participating state is hosting an event to recognize exemplars across four categories along the continuum of education and workforce development:
- Student Readiness Award and scholarship (awarded to a high school senior)
- College and Career Transition Award (awarded to a high school)
- Career Preparedness Award (awarded to a community college)
- Workplace Success Award (awarded to an employer)
Following events in each of the 41 partner states, national exemplars will be recognized at the ACT National Gala for College and Career Readiness in Washington, D.C. on June 22, 2016. An ACT selection committee will review all state nominations and choose national semifinalists in early April. From that group of semifinalists, a national selection committee comprised of education and workforce development leaders will select one honoree per category for recognition at the gala.
This year’s participating states are: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
To learn more about the ACT College and Career Readiness Campaign and view highlights from prior Campaigns, visit: http://www.act.org/content/act/en/policy-and-advocacy/college-and-career-readiness-campaign.htmlreadinesscampaign/.