November 2024 Update – All Counties

 “Not only did it verify what I was going to school for was good for me but it also showed me some other opportunities”

Christopher, LPN Program Participant

Assessments This School Year

Students will take the Future Plans Career assessment to identify their strengths, interests, personality, and work values, then explore suitable careers. Each student will meet with a career coach to discuss results and potential career paths, aiming to develop a career plan.

Adams County 

• The Ohio Valley School District (OVSD) participated in the 2024 DOE Science Alliance event in Piketon, hosted by Fluor-BWXT Portsmouth. A total of 30 schools and 1,463 students attended the event, which highlighted STEM-related careers and industries. OVSD was represented by students from CTC, North Adams, Peebles, and West Union High Schools. 

• Members of the GRIT team competed in the Adult Spelling Bee, an event supporting the Brown County Dolly Parton Imagination Library. This event aimed to raise awareness and funds for an initiative that provides free books to children, fostering early literacy. The GRIT team, proudly named “The Miss Spellers,” earned third place in the competition. 

• OVSD Auto Technology students toured the Kenworth facility in Chillicothe, Ohio. The 622,000-square-foot plant has produced over 782,000 heavy-duty trucks and features cutting-edge robotics and advanced technologies that streamline production. Students gained valuable hands-on insights into modern manufacturing and automotive production.  

Athens County 

• Ohio University will host an exploration visit to its STEM labs on December 6, 2024, for students identified with an interest in STEM through assessments. 

• In June 2025, Ohio University will offer a three-week, no-cost Robotics and Automation training program for 15 selected teachers. Efforts are underway to recruit teachers from local schools. 

• Hocking College is collaborating with the Joe Burrow Foundation and La Soupe organization to establish a food hub (rescue kitchen). Efforts are ongoing to connect resources and ensure the project’s success. 

• Three out of five Athens County schools have completed assessments and coaching for some of their students to gather data for future student development plans. 

Belmont County 

• Collaborating with Belmont College on potential summer programming and the Recovery to Work program, offering significant educational opportunities, especially for adult learners in the multi-county area. 

• Assessments are currently underway in two Belmont County schools, supported by a skilled career navigator from the East Central Ohio ESC. 

Brown County 

• Partnering with Healthcorp and The Appalachian Children’s Coalition to incorporate healthcare training into the curriculum at Goshen, Fayetteville, and Whiteoak High Schools. 

• The Brown County ESC and Future Plans team members recently completed training on the Future Plans platform. 

• A STEAM Committee meeting is in progress to prepare for an upcoming STEAM project in the county. 

Columbiana County 

• Initial schools in Columbiana County have onboarded, completed assessments, received coaching, and are participating in follow-up activities. 

• Dan Leffingwell spoke at East Liverpool Schools’ teacher waiver day, emphasizing the importance of hope in a community impacted by generational challenges. 

• The Future Plans team has engaged with county organizations, delivered presentations at multiple locations, and served as judges at a Career Tech Presentation competition. 

• The newly formed Columbiana County Community Coalition, Rise Hire, has hosted its first two meetings to align community partners in addressing real versus perceived needs within the county. 

Coshocton County 

• Two new schools, Coshocton City and River View, are participating in assessments and coaching programs, involving an anticipated 330 students. 

• Both schools are also part of the Career Navigator Pilot Project. 

Harrison County 

• Collaborating with the common pleas court probation staff to integrate the FP assessment and related services, complementing existing court programs and wrap-around services. 

• Implementing the assessment and related services at Harrison Central High School, a district with a modern combined campus and an active, informed Business Advisory Council. 

Meigs County 

• A collaboration is underway between the OMJ office, Meigs High School, and other stakeholders to address the childcare challenges in the county. 

• All high schools in Meigs County have assessed some students and are working on coaching them. 

Monroe County 

• Career Navigator Sandy Doudna is working with River High School, Beallsville High School, Monroe Central High School, and Swiss Hills Career Center, focusing on grades 10–12. 

• Sandy encouraged students beginning the FP assessment to approach it with determination, reassuring them that their results reflect their unique strengths and interests. She explained how these results could guide personalized experiences, such as field trips and shadowing opportunities, benefiting both students and employers. 

Morgan County 

• Future Plans PR Intern Madalyn Short is excelling in her role and eager to inspire other students in Morgan County to participate in the summer program. She emphasized that if she could succeed, anyone from her school could too. 

• Madalyn participated as the sole student from her county and school district in last year’s program, fueling her desire to spread awareness and recruit others for the FP assessment. 

Noble County 

• Both high schools in Noble County have engaged students in FP assessments and coaching sessions. 

• Shenandoah High School’s Career Navigator Mac McLean and Principal Tom led the process, encouraging students attending the Mid-East Career and Technology Center to participate as well. 

• Caldwell Exempted Village High School’s Principal Eli Svercek and Career Navigator Tad Secrest worked closely with sophomores, emphasizing personalized guidance and support for achieving their goals. 

Pike County 

• The Science Alliance 2024 was held October 8–10, 2024, at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, this event welcomed over 30 schools and 1,400 students, offering insights into STEM careers and opportunities. 

• The Pike County GRIT quarterly meeting on November 4, 2024, focused on future employers and opportunities for high school students. The next meeting is scheduled for February 3, 2025, at the Pike CTC. 

Scioto County 

• Shawnee State University held its annual Shawnee Game Conference, emphasizing the academic and educational aspects of game development. The event featured industry professionals sharing expertise in areas such as computer science, character design, animation, and production. 

• BESTOhio Manufacturing Sector Partnership hosted its quarterly meeting at the Kricker Innovation Hub, bringing together regional employers, government leaders, educators, and community organizations to advance southern Ohio’s manufacturing industry. 

• During the Shawnee Game Conference, alumni highlighted how skills from SSU’s gaming program translated into careers in industries such as Boeing and the Department of Defense. 

Hocking County 

• The Logan Chamber will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on January 16, 2025, to open its remodeled shared office space. Efforts are underway to recruit staff for the reception desk and office space. 

• The summer internship at the Hocking Hills Tourism Agency concluded successfully, benefiting both the agency and the student participant. 

• Logan High School received a large grant to purchase STEM-related equipment, including a Fanuc robotic arm. Plans are being made to train instructors on using this equipment to teach their students. 

Jefferson County 

• The first schools in Jefferson County have been assessed, coached, and are participating in follow-up activities. 

• Dan Leffingwell delivered a presentation at the Jefferson County ESC, discussing the role of hope in education and community development.