When Janine Carter graduated from Cleveland’s Martin Luther King High School in 2001, college felt both exciting and intimidating. Like many students, she had big ambitions but plenty of unanswered questions. She found clarity through the Cleveland Scholarship Programs (CSP), the predecessor of what is now College Now. “My [CSP] advisor was wonderful,” Janine recalls. “She helped me figure out tuition, room and board, meal plans – and even crunched the numbers for every school I applied to.” With that guidance, Janine discovered Hiram College, where she majored in Political Science, and later went on to earn a Master’s in Public Administration from Cleveland State University.
That early support did more than help Janine choose a college — it shaped the way she approached opportunity, service and leadership. With nearly a full ride to Hiram, she graduated with minimal student loan debt and felt consistently supported by College Now throughout her first higher education journey. That experience stayed with her and sparked a desire to give back. From mentoring high school students to supporting college students at Hiram, Janine has seen firsthand how powerful it can be to hear from someone who’s walked a similar path. “Even if we didn’t have the same major, I could relate to where they were coming from,” she says.
Today, Janine serves as the deputy clerk of Cuyahoga County Council, where she plays a key role in shaping policies, organizing legislation and making local government more transparent and accessible. Looking back, she credits both her education and scholarship experience with opening doors she hadn’t originally planned for. “I was set on becoming an attorney,” she shares, “but I discovered other possibilities. You never know where life will take you.”
As she looks ahead, one word continues to guide Janine: impact. Whether she’s mentoring students, helping her own children navigate the college-going process or strengthening systems that serve the public, Janine remains committed to paying forward the guidance she once received. Her story reflects the lasting power of College Now — not just in making higher education possible, but in fostering a cycle of support, opportunity and service.
College Now alumni — scholarship recipients, mentees and program participants — are invited to stay connected through the Alumni Collective. Join by completing the interest form and connecting on LinkedIn to network, share experiences and stay engaged through upcoming events and opportunities to give back.