County Executive encourages students interested in public service to apply for scholarship

Feb 23, 2026 - SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO

Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro is pleased to promote a $2,000 scholarship opportunity to high school seniors passionate about a future career in public service. The Ohio Counties Scholarship is sponsored by the County Commissioners Association of Ohio (CCAO) Research and Educational Foundation. Applicants should plan to seek a career in public service in Ohio and must plan to attend a university, community college, training program, or vocational school in Ohio. The application deadline is Friday, May 1, 2026.

 

Throughout the state, there will be one $2,000 scholarship offered to students in each CCAO District (Central, Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast). Summit County is a member of the Northeast District, which includes 13 other counties in the region. In 2025, the Northeast District’s sole scholarship was awarded to Angela Freeman, a St. Vincent-St. Mary graduate hailing from Summit County. Her essay, academic record, extracurriculars, and passion to become a Public Defender earned her $2,000 toward her studies at Oberlin College.

 

“Public servants are foundational to so much of our modern world. They keep our criminal justice system running, ensure our water is clean, answer our 9-1-1 calls, and so much more,” said Executive Shapiro. “As County Executive and 2^nd Vice President of CCAO, I strongly encourage our Summit County high school seniors to consider a fulfilling career in public service and apply for this scholarship!”

 

To apply, students must be high school seniors with at least a “B” average or equivalent overall GPA, a US citizen, and a resident of a county in Ohio. Applicants will submit a minimum 350-word essay on how they believe county governments in Ohio are improving residents’ lives, focusing on the county they live in. Applicants must also submit an official copy of their transcript and two letters of recommendation from teachers, community leaders, or elected officials.

 

To view the application, visit https://ccao.org/aws/CCAO/pt/sp/re-foundation

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For more information, contact:

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Greta Johnson
Director of Communications & Assistant Chief of Staff
ExecutivePress@summitoh.net
330-643-2656