More than 1,000 Cleveland college students from 11 area colleges watched the Guardians beat the Twins on a walk-off hit in the 10th inning. 

But this night was about more than baseball.

It was about connecting Cleveland college students with one another, the community and the many offerings of Greater Cleveland.  

 With more the 190,000 college students enrolled at area universities and colleges – more than any other Ohio region – there’s great potential for the city’s next generation.

“College Fest is more than just students going to a baseball game.  It’s an opportunity to pull students off of their campuses, introduce them to the thousands of other students from other schools, and give them a glimpse of what living and working here after college would be like,” said Kara Carter, GCP’s Vice President of Talent.

The event was sponsored by Cleveland Talent Alliance, a consortium of public, private and nonprofit organizations focused on attracting and retaining talent in Cleveland.

“This is a great experience,” said Adjah Top, a biology major at Kent State University.  The Garfield Heights native said she appreciated the chance to meet students from other colleges, and that events like this highlighted the appeal of Cleveland to her generation. “People my age are open-minded about staying in Cleveland,” she said.

Added Carter, “College Fest is also a gateway event so that later this fall we can then introduce them to the thousands of fantastic employers in the region who are eager to hire them after graduation. We are thrilled to have had such a great turnout at the inaugural College Fest, and hope to see these students and thousands of their classmates at future events.”

Jesse Osadciw, a veteran who is studying cybersecurity at Tri-C has already added  the next student event to his calendar: the Winter Career Expo on December 16.

“Events like this are really important to get connected with fellow students and employers,” said Osadciw. “And it helps you appreciate what Cleveland has to offer.”

Shanon Jackson, an accounting major at the University of Akron, was an ambassador for College Fest, spreading the word on his campus and beyond.

“I love the city of Cleveland,” said the Toledo native. “If we can get more students to stay here after school, that puts Cleveland on a strong path for the future.”