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Willoughby‑Eastlake students, instructors spotlight cosmetology and pre‑nursing pathways
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Summary
At the April 13 Willoughby‑Eastlake City Schools Board meeting, Northern Career Institute instructors and students described two‑year career‑technical programs, internships and licensure outcomes; the district said 250 of 511 sophomores applied for CTE next year and 90% of applicants are expected to receive a top‑three choice.
Willoughby‑Eastlake City Schools Superintendent Dr. Ward introduced representatives from Northern Career Institute at the board’s April 13 meeting to highlight cosmetology, pre‑nursing and a new student ambassador program.
Jen Conte, the cosmetology instructor at NCI Willoughby, described the two‑year cosmetology sequence and its public clinic days: “It is a 2 year program, and we get these students ready to be career ready and have an amazing career when they graduate high school.” Conte said seniors complete 150 internship hours in salons and are eligible to take the Ohio state board licensure exam after meeting hour requirements.
Student Julianna Andau said the internship offered a direct hiring outcome: “I have just completed my internship recently … and they offered me a job to work with them over the summer. So when I graduate and I get my license, I will have a full salon job over the summer.”
At NCI Eastlake, pre‑nursing instructor Danielle Bled explained the program’s structure — fundamentals in the first year, state‑guided clinical hours and an intensive senior‑year licensure focus — and cited a long record of successful licensure outcomes: “So far for, many, many years, we've had 100 percent success rate for passing their licensure exam.” Bled described partnerships with local healthcare employers and with the adult LPN program that allow graduates to enter the workforce as nursing assistants and, if they return, earn LPN credits.
Two recent graduates told the board how the program led directly to employment. Brianna said the pre‑nursing program prepared her to work in step‑down and emergency units, and Nicole, a 2020 graduate, traced a career path from nursing assistant roles to positions in hospital and assisted‑living administration.
Gabby Vilk, a junior and a participant in a new student ambassador program, said ambassadors help recruit peers and described a recent meeting with state Sen. Serino to showcase CTE opportunities. Vilk presented board members with small tokens of appreciation on behalf of students.
Dr. Ward framed the presentations within expected program growth: the district is transitioning the combined NCI offerings toward being a full program next year and reported that 250 of 511 sophomores have applied for a CTE program for the coming school year. “The other interesting statistic is, 90% of the applicants will receive one of their top 3 choices,” he said, noting that share rose from about 57.3% the previous year.
Board members asked staff to track longer‑term outcomes — for example, how many students ultimately find internships or employment in Lake County versus Cuyahoga County — and thanked presenters. The board did not take action on program items during the presentation; the segment concluded after questions and recognition of NCI staff.
