Skip to main content

State of the College

Update | Monday, September 30, 2019

photo of event
Highlighting impressive student successes at the College, President Harrison encouraged community leaders to join in “moving the needle” further. “The time is now,” he said. “We can’t do it alone.” He was speaking to roughly 300 people – civic leaders, elected officials, and others at Friday morning’s State of the College address to the community in Mitchell Hall.

The presentation featured student metrics showing how Columbus State has improved student success. One illustration is the narrowing of the achievement gaps for low-income students and students of color. The College earned the prestigious national Leah Meyer Austin Award this year for those still-improving results.

The president went on to say that the future of work will involve deep partnerships with employers. He cited programs already in place with Honda, Worthington Industries, and Accenture as examples.

Associating with public agencies, including the Department of Job and Family Services and Catholic Social Services (CSS) is also having an ongoing impact. CSS now has caseworkers on our campus to assist students.

Dr. Harrison promoted public-private partnerships which have allowed the College to set up programs with high schools. Five years ago, 500 high school students were taking Columbus State courses. By last year, that number had surged to 7,000. The increase is due to partnership programs generously funded by the AEP Foundation and JPMorgan Chase, along with assistance from Ohio’s College Credit Plus program.

Mitchell Hall was another prime example of public-private partnerships making a difference. The president revealed a rendering of the soon-to-open Mid-Ohio Food Market at Columbus State. Working with Mid-Ohio Foodbank, the new Market will be a community grocery store with fresh food and vegetables, free of charge. “Being in a food desert, we’re being intentional,” he said, “by using resources at Mitchell Hall to make 250 ready-to-eat meals a week to be distributed to the community.”

In closing, the president said, “The path to economic mobility is a good job that leads to a career path. As we look at the next ten years, none of us can do it alone. Let’s do it together. We look forward to working with you to make it happen.”

(Pictured above: President David Harrison addressing attendees at the State of the College address on Friday, September 27.)

Go to 2019 Update Archive Go to Employee Update

 

Latest Update Stories


  • W4 information for 2020

    December 18, 2019 2:03pm

    The 2020 Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Certificate, is very different from previous versions. This is due to the federal tax law changes that took place in 2018.

    news-employee

  • Columbus State's 199th Commencement

    December 17, 2019 12:02pm

    Columbus State held its 199th Commencement Ceremony Friday. More than 1,400 students petitioned to graduate from the combined summer and autumn semesters. Merideth Sellars, associate professor of Biological and Physical Sciences at the College, provided the commencement address.

    news-employee

  • Recent graduate publishes book, teaches at Franklin University

    December 17, 2019 11:50am

    Alex Dontre, A.A.S. 2014, has published "Dichotomies: Lessons from a College Life on Tour." The book chronicles his education at Columbus State and beyond as he earned degrees while touring with a band. President Harrison and others at the College are mentioned in the book.

    news-employee

  • Child Development Associate credential completion ceremony

    December 17, 2019 11:47am

    Fifty-four students received certificates at the Child Development Associate (CDA) Completion Ceremony on December 7. It was presented by the Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) Program.

    news-employee

  • Columbus State home to new Talent Strategy office

    December 17, 2019 11:41am

    In conjunction with the Governor's Executive Workforce Board meeting last Tuesday, Ohio business, government, and higher education leaders made a significant announcement on the Columbus Campus.

    news-employee

  • Delaware Campus Food Drive

    December 17, 2019 11:35am

    The kickoff for the annual Delaware Campus Food Drive for People In Need, Inc. (PIN) of Delaware County began November 7 and continued through early December.

    news-employee

  • Department sponsors toy drive

    December 17, 2019 11:29am

    For the second year in a row, the Biological and Physical Sciences Department worked to sponsor a Toy Drive to benefit children registered with Franklin County Children's Services.

    news-employee

  • Celebrating the season

    December 17, 2019 11:24am

    As many as 200 faculty and staff turned out for the annual informal holiday gathering. It was held last Friday evening at the Mitchell Hall Event Center.

    news-employee

  • Mental Health First Aid training at Columbus State

    December 16, 2019 8:45pm

    The most recent day-long Mental Health First Aid training was held on December 3 on the Columbus Campus.

    news-employee

  • Achievement Analytics training Tuesday

    December 16, 2019 1:52pm

    Sign up now. "Basics" and "Reports" are both being offered to employees Tuesday afternoon.

    news-employee

  • Staff member elected president of state group

    December 13, 2019 7:09pm

    Michael Hicks, coordinator in the Office of Equity and Compliance, has been elected to serve as president of the Ohio Staff Council of Higher Education (OSCHE).

    news-employee

  • Accounts Payable deadline approaching

    December 12, 2019 1:54pm

    In preparation for the Winter Break, Accounts Payable is requesting that all invoices be turned in for payment by Thursday, December 19.

    news-employee