For Anthony Houston, who grew up in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood, going to college was never a question of if, but of how. It was in his junior year of high school that he was introduced to Cleveland Scholarship Programs. He began meeting with an advisor to discuss applications and financial aid options. Thanks in part to funding from CSP, he was able to attend Oberlin college, where he studied English and government. Currently, Houston is director of the Cleveland Empowerment Zone, a government program that invests in urban communities such as Glenville, Fairfax, Hough and midtown Cleveland. In addition, Governor Taft appointed Houston to the Ohio Board of Regents.

Without CSP’s help, he said “I certainly wouldn’t be sitting here, nor would I be on the Ohio Board on Regents. And every chance I get, I let people know of programs like CSP and OCAN (Ohio College Access Network) and other college access programs for kids.”

Belinda Kyle got involved with CSP when her first grade daughter qualified for STEP UP (Steering Talented Engaged Pupils to Undergraduate Programs). It was at one of these STEP UP meetings that Kyle, who had not finished college, learned about CSP’s Adult Learner Program. She immediately scheduled an appointment with a CSP advisor, who counseled her through the college application process.

Now, Kyle attends Cuyahoga Community College on a $2,900 adult learner scholarship, where she earned a 4.0 GPA her first semester. Her goal is to set a good example for her three daughters.

“Most parents have gone to college and then become parents, but I’m actually sharing that whole experience,” said Kyle. “They see me studying and working hard. We all sit down and do our homework together.”

After Tri-C, Kyle plans to continue her education at Cleveland State University.

Stan Garber knows the value of ambition.

When he was six years old, his family immigrated from Eastern Europe to the United States in search of better opportunities.

It was during his senior year at Mayfield High School that he came in contact with a CSP advisor. She helped him figure out where to go to college, how to apply and, most importantly, how to afford his education.

Now, Garber is striving towards a degree in Management and Finance at Case Western Reserve University, while nurturing the web design company he started up in 2003 with two fellow Case students.

According to Garber, it is the motivation he learned from his father, coupled with the aid of CSP that has gotten him where he is today. And although CSP awards Garber $1,000 annually, it is about more than just financial aid.

“[CSP] supports small businesses very well in the Cleveland area,” he said.

Garber’s company, O-Web Technologies, currently services 75 clients in the Cleveland area and is run by Garber, Oleg Fridman and Alex Yakubovich.

As senior at James Ford Rhodes High School in 1980, Tim Mueller wanted to go to college but wasn’t sure he could afford it. His guidance counselor got him an interview with CSP and he landed the scholarship he needed to fill the gaps left after maxing out on loans.

Mueller earned a degree in marketing and communications from Dayton University and went on to become Cleveland’s chief development officer for Mayor Jane Campbell and one of Inside Business magazine’s 100 most influential figures in business, politics and community.

Mueller serves on numerous community boards, such as Community Partnership for the Arts and Culture, Cleveland Council of World Affairs and Fund for Our Economic Future. He also served on CSP’s board for eight years. He thanks CSP for the many opportunities that have been awarded him.

“Sometimes, people just measure whether or not CSP is helpful by the actual dollar amount that they receive in a scholarship, but there are so many more doors that can be opened up – basically, because you have gone through CSP and are a CSP alum,” he said.

Today, Mueller serves as president of Phylogy, Inc., a California-based company that develops hi-tech communications equipment.