Bottom Line, Wright State partnership aims to increase access to college

Wright State University is partnering with Bottom Line, a nonprofit organization that partners with first-generation students to get into and graduate from college, to expand access to higher education to more students in the Dayton region.

The partnership creates a pathway to college for local first-generation students from under-resourced backgrounds to obtain a four-year college degree.

Wright State is the first university to sign a memorandum of understanding with Bottom Line Ohio since the organization expanded to Ohio after receiving support from The Connor Group Kids & Community Partners program.

“We are excited to partner with a university whose values align with our organization,” said Executive Director of Bottom Line Ohio James Cosby. “We both want to see students thrive and achieve success, and I know that this partnership with Wright State will have an incredible impact.”

“Wright State is excited to partner with Bottom Line to expand access to higher education and help more students meet their academic and career goals,” Wright State University President Sue Edwards said. “Our partnership with Bottom Line underscores our commitment to offer an affordable and accessible education for students in the region and to support workforce needs.”

Bottom Line partners with high school seniors as they navigate the college admissions process, including building college lists, writing essays, submitting applications, applying for financial aid and scholarships, and selecting the college that is the best fit for them. Bottom Line focuses on helping students make a strong college match, discussing academic fit and affordability.

Once students enroll in college, Bottom Line advisors provide them with advising and mentoring to persist to graduation. The organization also helps its students launch a career, partnering with them to identify a first-destination role after graduation.

“We start working with students in their senior year of high school and partner with them throughout college, through free one-on-one advising,” said Emily Broughton, director of development and external relations for Bottom Line Ohio.

Wright State’s Undergraduate Admissions staff will promote Bottom Line’s program when visiting local high schools and recruiting students. Wright State staff will also work closely with Bottom Line students throughout the admissions process.

In addition, Wright State will provide space on campus so Bottom Line advisors can connect with students while they are at Wright State.

Wright State President Sue Edwards with Addison Williams, a sophomore majoring in organizational leadership who is participating in Project Blueprint, Bottom Line’s mentoring initiative for college students.

Bottom Line is recruiting its first cohort of high school students for fall 2024. Students can apply at bottomline.org/ohio.

Students in the program would be eligible to apply for and enroll at Wright State in 2025.

Bottom Line started in Boston in 1997 and has since expanded to Chicago and New York.

In Ohio, Bottom Line has agreements with Dayton Public Schools, Mad River Local Schools, the Dayton Early College Academy, Chaminade Julienne High School and the Trotwood-Madison City School District and plans to expand its partnerships to other school districts in the Dayton region.

About Bottom Line

Bottom Line partners with degree-aspiring students from under-resourced communities to get into and through college and successfully launch a career. They are committed to building strong connections with their students, providing them with individual support, and ensuring they have the guidance they need to persist and earn a college degree. Learn more at bottomline.org.

About Wright State University

A Carnegie-classified research university, Wright State University’s main campus is 12 miles northeast of downtown Dayton, Ohio, near the historic landmarks where the Wright brothers taught the world to fly. The university operates a branch campus, Wright State University–Lake Campus, on the shores of Grand Lake St. Marys in Celina, Ohio. Wright State serves nearly 11,000 students and offers nearly 300 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs through six colleges and the Boonshoft School of Medicine. For more information, visit wright.edu.