Opportunity grows in Huron

HURON — A local college has earned national recognition for advancing student opportunity. Bowling Green State University Firelands has been nationally recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as an Opportunity College and University as part of its prestigious 2025 Student Access and Earnings Classification, according to a Facebook post from BGSU Firelands. This honors institutions that exceed expectations in enrolling underrepresented and Pell Grant-eligible students while also delivering strong post-graduation earnings that surpass regional and demographic projections. "This national recognition from the Carnegie Foundation is truly an honor and a reflection of the extraordinary commitment of our faculty, staff, and community partners." said Allia Carter, dean of BGSU Firelands. "At BGSU Firelands, we believe in the life-changing power of higher education that is accessible, inclusive, and rooted in community. "As a regional campus, we are proud to serve students from all walks of life — many of whom are the first in their families to attend college — and support them in reaching their fullest potential. This designation affirms that opportunity lives here, and it's something we cultivate together every day," Carter said. The Carnegie Foundation's new classification is part of a broader effort to spotlight institutions that are making a measurable impact on student access and economic advancement. Since opening in 1968, BGSU Firelands has provided thousands of students in north-central Ohio with degrees, courses and technical training, according to the BGSU website. This success stemmed from a strong community push in 1964 to bring higher education to the Firelands region.