Ohio State Program reaches into Columbus Community for Support

July 15, 2014

Media Contact: David Isaacs

Isaacs.84@osu.edu

614-292-8424

Ohio State Program reaches into Columbus Community for Support

Engagement Partners will enhance Student Learning and Leadership Development

The Ohio State University Office of Student Life’s Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program (BLF) is creating “engagement partners” in Central Ohio. Three important community partners, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Columbus, and TechColumbus will help pilot this new BLF strategic relationship initiative.

The purpose of the Engagement Partner initiative is twofold: 

• To ensure that students who participate in the BLF program are exposed to Columbus’ business and community leaders
• To allow the partners to engage their membership in innovative, high-impact programming with talented college students

This partnership creates a unique way for professionals in Columbus to identify and connect with young talent at Ohio State and make a positive impact on our next generation of leaders. For example, Leadership Columbus graduates are invited to speak at the BLF Program’s weekly Leadership Luncheon Series.  BLF engagement partners are also invited to help co-design and facilitate curricular components in BLF. TechColumbus will be hosting some workshops for BLF students that will help improve their ability to pitch an idea. Students and business leaders will also have a more meaningful way to connect through the Columbus Chamber partnership with BLF. 

Partnerships between Ohio State and companies and organizations in Columbus will ensure Ohio State students make a meaningful connection to central Ohio through internships, job opportunities and building relationships with professionals.  These experiences are critical to producing our next generation of leaders.

For more information about becoming involved in the Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program, please contact Edward Pauline at Pauline.2@osu.edu or 614-247-6620

About the Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program:

The Office of Student Life’s signature leadership development experience, The Buckeye Leadership Fellows Program provides access, offers tools, and creates experiences to empower students to realize their potential and make a positive impact on society. Over the course of a two year period selected students participated in a variety of personal and professional workshops, leadership challenges, and immersive experiences that are co-designed and facilitated by Ohio State alumni and community leaders.  The experiential program exposes students to a range of public and private industries and encourages them to think differently about how to apply their skills in a practical way.  Interested students can apply to this multidisciplinary program during their sophomore year.

About the Columbus Chamber of Commerce:

Founded nearly 130 years ago, the Columbus Chamber has evolved to become the largest business services organization and primary advocate for the Columbus Region business community. Our history in the Columbus area has seen many successful initiatives and businesses flourish. From our beginnings as the Columbus Board of Trade to the recent launch of the 2020 regional economic development initiative we continue to innovate to best serve our community and local businesses.

About Leadership Columbus:

Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2014, Leadership Columbus is the region’s premiere leadership development organization. Providing a complement of programs including the 10-month Signature Program, Board Governance Training and Onboarding Columbus, Leadership Columbus works to develop, connect and inspire diverse leaders who serve as catalysts in building a strong and vibrant community. Our nearly 2,000 alumni make positive impacts to their companies, communities and non-profits through service and top positions of influence in Central Ohio and the nation.

About TechColumbus: 

TechColumbus, Columbus, OH, helps build and accelerate great companies by providing expert advice, access to capital, and business growth connections. We help grow the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Central Ohio by connecting entrepreneurs, advisors, resource providers, public sector entities, academia, and corporations who share startup passion. TechColumbus manages a continuum of investment funds made possible by the participation of Ohio Third Frontier and other strategic partners. Hundreds of technology entrepreneurs and startup companies come to TechColumbus each year to receive the services and funding they need to grow into sustainable, profitable businesses.www.techcolumbus.org

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