A 1999 graduate of Mifflin High School in Columbus, Ernest West was unsure of what he'd do after graduation. In this urban school, less than half of the students went to college. Fortunately, Ernest discovered an "I Know I Can" advisor who convinced him to give college a try. Now, six years later, Ernest is not only on the board of I Know I Can (an Ohio College Access Network program), he's also assistant principal at a Columbus middle school, because he wanted to give something back.

The Ohio College Access Network (OCAN) helps Ohioans imagine the possibility of higher education by connecting residents to the information and financial resources they need to achieve their dreams. Co-founded in 1999 by KnowledgeWorks Foundation, in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Board of Regents, OCAN develops and supports community-based college access programs that provide student services including college admission advising, financial aid advising, scholarships, and tutoring. OCAN's motto is "Ohio can go to college."

For Americans, college is literally the million dollar difference. College graduates will earn more than one million dollars more in their working lives than high school graduates. Learn how encouraging Ohioans to seek higher education can boost our state's economy.