Sarah Ghiassi
To Granville native Sarah Ghiassi, education is more than a pathway to a degree; it is an opportunity to transform her future. After graduating from Granville High School in 2023, Sarah found her second home at Ohio State Newark. There, she is working toward a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership, with minors in Disability Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Through her studies and experiences, she is well on her way to building the future she has always envisioned.
Passionate about policy change, Sarah hopes to use her bachelor’s degree as a stepping stone toward earning a master’s degree. While she is still exploring exactly where her path will lead, she is particularly interested in working in the nonprofit sector or advocating for disability policies.
Throughout her time at Ohio State Newark, Sarah has dedicated herself to serving both the campus and the local community.
On campus, she has embraced numerous leadership opportunities. Drawing on her passion for crafting, Sarah founded the Crochet Club during her freshman year. The club promotes mental wellness among its members while also giving back to the community through handmade donations. In addition, she has been involved with Active Minds, a mental health organization, and the Campus Activity Board. Sarah has also worked during the summer to assist with orientation and currently works in the Office of Retention and Student Success Initiatives. Through both roles, she has enjoyed supporting fellow students and contributing to campus life.
Beyond campus, Sarah has devoted many hours to serving the Newark community. She has volunteered with the Market Street Pantry, Newark Homeless Outreach, and The Turban Project, where she sews headwear for warriors with medical-related hair loss. Sarah also serves as Ohio State Newark's representative on the Collegiate Mental Health Advisory Board of Ohio, advocating for student mental health initiatives across the state.
Reflecting on her experience, Sarah shared, “All my professors here at the Newark campus are deeply passionate about their jobs and are committed to student success. It is evident that my professors care about my well-being, both inside and outside of the classroom, and work tirelessly to ensure that my education is as accessible and engaging as possible. I feel like the Newark campus has become my second home, and my professors have fostered that welcoming environment.”
Sarah also credits the smaller class sizes and abundance of campus resources with helping shape her college experience. The close-knit environment has allowed her to build meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students while growing both personally and professionally.
A significant player in Sarah’s educational journey has been scholarships, and she is deeply grateful to the donors who have made those opportunities possible. When asked what she would say to the donors who funded her scholarship, Sarah expressed sincere gratitude for their generosity. “Thank you,” she shared. “You don’t know me, yet you chose to invest in my future, and that means so much.” Sarah is incredibly thankful for The Melissa Warner Bow Family Scholarship and the opportunities it has provided throughout her college journey. Looking ahead, Sarah hopes to use her time, energy, and talents to serve her community and make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.
We wish Sarah the best of luck as she continues her education and pursues her dreams of creating meaningful change in the world.
Vanessa Bennett
From a young age, Vanessa Bennett has been driven by two things: a love for learning and a desire to give back to the people around her. Those values have shaped not only her education, but also the way she approaches her community, relationships, and future goals.
After graduating from Newark High School in 2024, Vanessa was excited to continue her education at Ohio State Newark, a decision she quickly knew was the right one. For Vanessa, the Newark campus offered more than just a quality education. It allowed her to stay close to her support system and remain connected to the community she has always loved while beginning the next chapter of her life.
Service and involvement have always been important parts of Vanessa’s life. During high school, she participated in choir, Leo Club, National Honor Society, where she served as president during her senior year, and the tennis team. Outside of school, she and her family also participated in the Licking River Roundup, combining their love for the river with their shared commitment to giving back to the community.
That commitment to involvement continued as she arrived on campus. Vanessa has helped with orientation, worked with the dean of academic affairs, and will soon begin working at the Neuroscience Research Institute at The Ohio State University in Columbus. She is also conducting a specialty research project under Dr. Tiyi Morris focused on the medical abuse women of color have experienced throughout history. Vanessa will present her research both at a conference in Virginia and at the Newark Research Forum, opportunities she is excited to be part of as she continues growing academically.
During her sophomore year of high school, Vanessa’s passion for psychology began when she realized how fascinated she was by the connection between the brain, behavior, and decision-making. Combined with her desire to help others, psychology quickly became the path she knew she wanted to pursue. Today, she is working toward a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with minors in Neuroscience and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Vanessa hopes to continue her education by earning both her master’s degree and Ph.D. and eventually working in a hospital setting as a neuropsychologist.
Scholarship support has played a tremendous role in helping Vanessa pursue her goals. Thanks to the generosity of donors through the Newark Campus Development Fund and receiving The Ohio State Newark Next Generation Challenge Scholarship, she has been able to focus more fully on her classes, research, and volunteer work rather than the financial stress that often comes with college. Reflecting on the support she has received, Vanessa shared, “Thank you for giving me the opportunity to continue my education. I feel blessed to be in such a thoughtful community.”
As she looks forward to the future, Vanessa hopes to one day give back in the same way others have supported her while carrying that same spirit of generosity into her future career and community.
With a strong support system behind her and a passion for helping others ahead of her, Vanessa is just getting started, and those around her are excited to see all she will accomplish!
Autumn Gillespie
Sometimes the path to the right career is not a straight line. For many people, discovering what they are truly passionate about takes time, life experience, and the willingness to try something new. That was the case for recent COTC graduate Autumn Gillespie.
After graduating high school in 2011 and taking some time to work and save money, Autumn attended college in North Carolina, where she earned her associate’s degree in Office Administration. After returning home to Ohio and feeling unsure about her next step, a friend working as a nurse at Licking Memorial Hospital (LMH) encouraged her to apply for a Patient Care Assistant position.
The thought of working in a hospital had always intrigued Autumn, but she had never imagined that healthcare would eventually become her career path. After starting her role at LMH, she quickly realized it was a great fit and discovered how much she enjoyed helping people, which inspired her to begin exploring nursing school.
Autumn found that the nursing program at COTC would be a great fit for her. She was quickly accepted and began classes while continuing to work the night shift at LMH. Two years later, she graduated with her associate’s degree as a Registered Nurse. The proximity, atmosphere, and down-to-earth feel of the campus made COTC a great place to complete her first two years while working full-time throughout the program.
Her time at COTC didn’t stop there. In the autumn semester of 2024, COTC launched its Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Applied Science in Nursing program, and Autumn was part of the first class to take full advantage of it.
“I think it’s great that COTC started their bachelor’s program for nursing. I know a lot of people that have come through COTC, and this is a big thing for them. I think it’s really great that nursing students can continue their education here,” Autumn shared.
Although Autumn has worked full-time throughout this entire journey, she says she would not be where she is today without the scholarships she received. Receiving The Licking Memorial Health Systems Scholarship made a world of difference for her.
“I never expected to receive this scholarship. I can give a bunch of fancy words, but ultimately, I just want to say thank you. This has impacted the rest of my life,” Autumn shared.
Autumn is excited to be a recent graduate of the BSN program and commented, “I loved seeing all the people in my graduating class in different stages of life. There are so many opportunities at COTC. They really make it accessible.”
Now taking some time to enjoy life with her husband, dog, and new nursing degree, Autumn remains open to continuing her education in the future. She shared that there are endless opportunities at LMH, but for now, she is enjoying her role as a day shift supervisor for the medical/surgical unit, where she oversees five different units alongside a group of managers.
We want to congratulate Autumn on all of her accomplishments and wish her continued success in all she does moving forward!
Ava Woodburn
Ava Woodburn, a 2025 graduate of Newark High School, is the proud recipient of The J. Gilbert and Louella H. Reese Scholarship. Living close to campus with her mom and stepfather, Ava knew attending college locally would allow her to stay connected to the support system that means so much to her.
When Ava and her mother learned she had received the scholarship, they were overwhelmed with joy and shared plenty of happy tears. Wanting to celebrate Ava’s accomplishments, her mom displayed the scholarship letters at Ava’s graduation party so family and friends could read the encouraging comments and learn more about the scholarships she had earned.
Ava is deeply thankful to the scholarship donors, explaining that receiving the award eased the financial burden of college and gave her a more positive outlook on her future. “My mom is paying for my college,” Ava shared. “She gives so much to everyone and is incredibly passionate. I’m grateful this scholarship can help ease some of that responsibility for her.”
In sixth grade, Ava joined the running club and quickly fell in love with it. As she continued competing through high school, she experienced injuries that required X-rays and MRIs on her ankles and knees. Through those medical visits, Ava became familiar with Radiologic Technology and began considering it as a future career path.
Her interest continued to grow while attending a camp at Licking Memorial Hospital, where she explored different hospital departments and learned what it would be like to work in each area. The experience confirmed her desire to become a Radiologic Technologist, allowing her to combine her interest in healthcare with her desire to help patients feel comfortable and supported.
Since beginning classes on the Newark campus, Ava has become actively involved in the Global Citizens Learning Community (GCLC), a program designed to help first-year students transition from high school to college while encouraging global awareness and community engagement. As an avid animal lover, she supports the Humane Society of Licking County through her involvement with the program. Ava says being part of the GCLC has broadened her perspective and deepened her understanding of the challenges some students in her own community face.
Ava describes the Newark campus as “one of the best experiences” of her life. She values the close-knit atmosphere and the strong sense of connection among students, faculty, and staff. She especially appreciates the encouragement she has received from the counseling center, academic success coaches, and peer coaches who regularly check in with her. From preparing for exams and presentations to offering study tips and emotional support, Ava says the campus community has helped her succeed both academically and personally.
Ava hopes to work at Licking Memorial Hospital after graduation. One of the most important things she learned during her first semester was the value of advocating for herself, something she says made her second semester much more successful. With her drive, resilience, and caring nature, Ava is poised to make a lasting impact in the healthcare field, and we wish her continued success as she pursues her goals.
Joshua McNichols
If there is one thing Joshua McNichols has always known, it’s that one day he would be a Buckeye. With his parents having met and graduated from The Ohio State University at Newark and several of his siblings also attending the regional campus, it was no surprise that after graduating from Lakewood High School in 2023, Joshua followed in those same footsteps.
Joshua’s parents not only inspired his desire to attend Ohio State Newark, but also instilled in him the importance of community involvement and giving back. During high school, Joshua was involved in numerous activities and organizations. He served as captain of the soccer team, ran track, played basketball, participated in drama and choir, and was active in student council and National Honor Society.
In addition, Joshua has always had a special place in his heart for 4-H. Being involved in 4-H throughout high school was one of his passions, and today he continues giving back by mentoring younger students in the program.
That passion for involvement and service did not stop after high school. Since arriving on campus, Joshua has become involved in several organizations and activities. He especially enjoys the community service aspect of the National Society of Leadership and Success and values opportunities to help bridge the gap between the Newark and Columbus campuses.
One of the most impactful parts of Joshua’s college experience has been the Second-Year Transformational Experience Program (STEP). Through the encouragement and mentorship of Dr. Lucille Toth, Madeline Sharp, and Dr. Virginia Cope, Joshua participated in a study abroad trip to Paris, France. The experience made such an impact on him that he returned home motivated to spread awareness about STEP and now serves as the student assistant for outreach and engagement for the study abroad program.
Joshua is also looking forward to his next study abroad opportunity in Brazil, where he will be paired with students attending Rio de Janeiro University.
Joshua plans to graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a specialization in Business Management. While he is still exploring exactly where his career path will lead, he hopes to one day return to Ohio State Newark and work within the academic advising department.
Joshua is a proud recipient of The Park National Bank and Associates Scholarship Honoring William T. and Jane Cook McConnell. He shared that receiving this scholarship has brought many meaningful opportunities into his life, including the honor of meeting and interacting with Matthew J. Smith, PhD, dean and director of Ohio State Newark. Joshua was invited by Dean Smith to speak at the Rotary Club of Newark, an experience he says has continued to open doors for him.
When asked what he would say to the donors who provided the scholarship funds, Joshua responded, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are truly making a difference in students’ lives.”
Joshua is excited to continue growing, serving his community, and making a meaningful difference wherever life takes him.
We wish Joshua the very best in his future endeavors and congratulate him on also being selected for the 2026 Homecoming Court. We know he will continue to make a positive impact wherever he goes!
Traci Bioh
Traci Bioh graduated from Reynoldsburg High School – Summit Campus in 2024 and is now attending COTC, where she is working toward her associate’s degree to become a respiratory therapist. Her journey with COTC began early, during her junior year of high school, when she enrolled in classes at the Pataskala campus, already driven by a desire to build a future in healthcare.
While in high school, Traci discovered she had a tumor in her collarbone and was admitted to Nationwide Children’s Hospital. During her time there, she formed meaningful connections with her care team, an experience that inspired her to pursue a career supporting patients the way she was supported during her stay. Traci later completed a short internship at the hospital and will return for her clinicals. She has a love for kids and pre-teens and feels she can connect with them on a deeper level.
After completing her associate’s degree, Traci plans to return to school to earn her bachelor’s degree and become a flight respiratory therapist with Children’s Hospital. Her end goal is to earn her master’s degree from Ohio State and become an Advanced Practice Respiratory Therapist.
Traci has loved her time on the Newark campus. She shared that one of the biggest benefits is the strong sense of community and support for students. She especially appreciates how much the staff genuinely care and consistently show up for students. “The people here are sincere and supportive. They create an environment where it’s clear they truly want to help others rather than simply going through the motions,” shared Traci.
She specifically celebrated David Brillhart and Tyler Richards, DHA, RRT, RCP, two staff members who have made her time special. She shared, “Both of them are passionate about what they do, and they care about the students. They go out of their way to check in and make sure you’re doing well.”
While on campus, Traci participated in several activities and clubs. One in particular was the Italian Immersion Program, where she traveled to Reggello and Florence, an experience she described as eye-opening. Traci is also a member of Phi Theta Kappa, an international honor society that provides opportunities for leadership, fellowship, and service.
Traci has shown strong commitment to leadership and service. She was one of only two students selected to receive the 2025 J. Gilbert Reese Next Generation Community Leadership Award, recognizing her involvement on campus and in the community.
Traci also received The Richard T. and Dorothy J. Oberfield Scholarship. Reflecting on what receiving this scholarship meant to her, she shared that education is very important to her family. While both of her parents work hard, the cost of college would have placed a financial strain on them. This scholarship has allowed her to pursue her goals with greater confidence.
Traci expressed deep gratitude for the generosity of donors and shared how meaningful it was to connect with them at the annual Scholarship Dinner. Their support has helped make her education possible and inspired her to give back to her community.
We wish Traci the best of luck on her next adventure and can’t wait to see all she accomplishes for her community!
Jesse McAndrew
What started as a one-year plan for Ohio State Newark student Jesse McAndrew has turned into an impactful four years that has changed the trajectory of his future. A 2017 Gahanna Lincoln High School graduate and son of an employee of The Ohio State University, Jesse originally applied to attend the Columbus campus.
Eventually, Jesse decided he wanted a smaller college experience and looked to the regional campuses. “Newark campus was closest to me. I thought it was absolutely beautiful,” he shared. “I decided to go there. I was only going to stay for one year and transition to Columbus, and ended up changing my mind and this is my fourth and final year here!”
A number of factors influenced Jesse’s decision to complete his degree at The Ohio State University at Newark. The small class sizes offered at the Newark campus have been a huge draw. Taught by top-notch faculty, Jesse has enjoyed the opportunity Ohio State Newark offers for individualized relationships with professors. “It’s just so nice to be able to go into my class and the professor actually knows who I am and what my dreams are. That’s a really good part of the experience,” Jesse said.
Meaningful relationships are not limited to the academic side of the Ohio State Newark experience. For Jesse, who has worked on campus as a Peer Writing Consultant, Peer Tutor, Resident Advisor, and a handful of other roles, the support staff he has worked with have been another important reason to continue at the Newark campus.
“I just really found some amazing mentors during my time at Ohio State Newark. They really drew me in and made me want to stay there even more so,” he shared. Jesse knew the decision to transfer to the Columbus campus would take him from the staff that provided valuable experience through his daily work. “I really wanted to grow with them.”
With no prescribed undergraduate path for him to follow into his desired field of higher education, Jesse has crafted an individualized undergraduate experience to pursue his interests. As a history major, he has seized the opportunity to explore the field of higher education with a research-focused approach. Through an internship class and individual studies with Dr. Mangus, Jesse’s history faculty advisor, he has been given the opportunity to research the field of higher education prior to his postgraduate studies. Garnering the academic knowledge through his coursework and practical experience via his campus jobs, Jesse’s opportunities at Ohio State Newark are leaving him uniquely equipped to pursue his higher education dreams.
As he rounds out his time at Ohio State Newark, Jesse is appreciative of another form of support he has received at the Newark campus—generous financial aid. As a first-generation college student paying for his education, Jesse was grateful to receive the J. Gilbert and Louella H. Reese Next Generation Challenge Scholarship, made possible by a fund held by the Newark Campus Development Fund. Although he did not undertake his numerous service and leadership roles on campus for recognition, as the recipient of such an award he feels honored to carry on the generous legacy of his scholarship namesakes for many years to come.
Maxwell Doku
Maxwell Doku’s joy for helping others has shaped his life and continues to influence the path he is taking professionally. As a student at Central Ohio Technical College pursuing an associate degree in nursing, Maxwell feels called to work in the healthcare sector.
Growing up in Ghana and attending university there, Maxwell had the opportunity to work with a charity foundation and travel to more rural areas to mentor under-privileged children. “The kids might not even be going to school,” Maxwell shared. Maxwell enjoyed working with his group to educate the children, but was saddened to see the inequality and realize not everyone has the same opportunity.
“To help someone in their situation get to the next level is a calling. Not everyone is born the same,” Maxwell said. “I find joy helping people regardless of their age, their needs. That has driven my focus of going into the medicine program.”
Maxwell came to the United States in 2017, settling in Columbus. While exploring other local options that could provide him the education needed to enter the healthcare field, Central Ohio Technical College was recommended to Maxwell by a friend at church. Maxwell found COTC’s admission process flexible and convenient, allowing him to begin his coursework during any semester once accepted.
His positive experience at COTC had only begun upon admission. Maxwell has found all of the resources he has needed to be successful. From getting academic support at the Student Service Center to the supportive faculty, he feels he is in the right place to broaden his understanding and achieve everything he wants to achieve. Another important part of his COTC experience has been his involvement with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the community service he provides through the group.
Maxwell is also grateful for the financial assistance he’s been provided as a recipient of the Park National Bank & Associate Scholarship funded by the Newark Campus Development Fund. “It is not always easy to find people who want to invest in your education, he reflected. “Last semester and into this semester were the hardest, as COVID hit. Supporting family back home, paying school fees and rent…it was helpful to have a scholarship. One thing it really helps is it shifts your focus. You always have fees and bills, but it shifts your focus from working to putting more time into your studies.”
As Maxwell finishes his schooling at Central Ohio Technical College, it remains on his heart to return temporarily to Ghana to reengage with the charity foundation from his youth to continue to encourage and uplift others to reach their potential. Maxwell also has big plans to reach his own potential, possibly as a nurse anesthetist or advanced nurse practitioner.
“We need to help others,” Maxwell declared. “It is all about service, it is all about helping, it is all about encouraging and it is all about lifting someone’s spirits when someone is down. It is all about seeing the smile of your neighbor and seeing the smile of someone you don’t even know. Just putting a smile on their faces can make their day.”
Chloe and Jane Carson
When it came to choosing a college, staying close to home was the right choice for sisters Chloe and Jane Carson. Both women are currently students at The Ohio State University at Newark, conveniently located in their hometown.
Graduating from Newark High School, Chloe (’18) and Jane (’20) both benefit from Last Dollar Grants awarded to them by A Call to College, a college access program benefiting Newark City Schools graduates. Chloe and Jane’s Last Dollar Grants were made possible by a scholarship fund held at the Newark Campus Development Fund. Above and beyond the generous financial assistance the sisters continue to receive through Last Dollar Grants, A Call to College provided helpful guidance throughout the college application process, especially to Chole, the eldest Carson child and first to attend college since her parents.
Chloe initially took what felt like the more expected route—going away from home to live in a dorm and have the “college experience” at a big university. After completing her freshman year at Kent State University, Chloe knew it wasn’t the right fit for her and enrolled at Ohio State Newark upon her return home. “Coming back here and having the familiarity of home, and my family and friends, just really helped to be a smoother transition into college life,” she shared. “I just wish that a lot of high school students would know that going to Ohio State Newark is actually probably one of the smartest things you can do in terms of the transition to college and saving you a lot of money. A lot of money!”
Jane was lucky to benefit from her sister’s experience and chose to begin her college years at Ohio State Newark, affording her the possibility to stay at home. “We’re pretty similar in that way,” she said. “It was really smart for me…easier to transition into college courses and have the comfort of being home and not having to stress about the financial situation.”
Both sisters will take advantage of the opportunities provided at Ohio State Newark before transferring to the Columbus campus to complete their degrees. Chloe will finish prerequisites before fully shifting attention to her English major with a creative writing concentration, with the end goal of working towards a Masters and PhD to teach at the collegiate level. Jane plans to complete her general education credits at the regional campus, and she then looks forward to exploring the breadth of coursework and opportunities offered within her Environment, Economy, Development & Sustainability major.
As they reflect on the investment others have made in their education by way of the Last Dollar Grants, Chloe and Jane are grateful for the support from their scholarship donors. The fiscally responsible choice to attend Ohio State Newark has been further enriched by the additional financial support that they receive, allowing them to focus on their educational pursuits and the bright futures ahead of them.
Kobe Gosture
Kobe Gosture has not had to look far to see opportunity. The sophomore business major found it close to home when he decided to attend The Ohio State University at Newark. As a graduate of Newark High School, Kobe also benefited from a Last Dollar Grant from A Call to College, funded by a scholarship held by the Newark Campus Development Fund.
A Call to College, the college access program benefiting Newark City Schools graduates, has continued to support Kobe in his pursuits. “A Call to College stuck to it. They still reach out,” shared Kobe. Not only has Kobe been able to continue to count on the program to provide financial support, but his advisor remains a helpful link to completing his FAFSA paperwork. “I appreciate it,” says Kobe, when reflecting on the Last Dollar Grants he has received. “It helps the worry of graduating and being in huge debt. Even at the affordable rate of Ohio State Newark’s tuition, it’s very helpful.”
Answering a childhood friend’s call for help set Kobe on the path towards his future as a business owner. The friend, who had recently graduated with a business management degree himself, asked Kobe to assist with his resale business. Kobe went from helping him out to doing it himself! He regularly buys the contents of unclaimed storage units after several months of inactivity by the owner, as well as wholesale pallets of returned merchandise that never make it back to the retail floor. Kobe is then able to resale these items online.
“I like being involved in the transactions and being able to market and sell stuff,” he says. “It’s something I’d like to go to college for and graduate then make it bigger, other than just my little online account doing it myself.”
Luckily, Ohio State Newark offers everything Kobe needs to complete his business management degree at the regional campus. He can easily see himself remaining in Newark after graduating, hoping the community will continue to provide. With multiple warehouse buildings close by that are often available for sale or rent, Newark is a place where Kobe can establish himself and envision growing his business.
Kaleyah Lindsay
Kaleyah Lindsay is focused on her future and Central Ohio Technical College has been the ideal place to hone in on her goals. Initially entertaining the possibility of going out of state, the Newark High School graduate decided that pursuing her Associate Degree in Nursing close to home was a great choice for more than one reason.
It’s hard to truly measure the impact a great teacher can have on a student, but Kaleyah credits her high school science teacher, Mr. Neale, with helping guide her to nursing. Originally wanting to be a veterinarian, Kaleyah really enjoyed what she was learning in Mr. Neale’s human anatomy class. In conversation with her teacher, Mr. Neale planted the seed that Kaleyah could pursue nursing. “He was the one person who kind of changed my field of vision,” she said.
Not only did Kaleyah find a great nursing program at COTC, but the affordability of the college was another great draw. As a graduate of Newark High School, Kaleyah was able to participate in the A Call to College educational access program and ultimately was awarded a Last Doller Grant, funded by a scholarship held at the Newark Campus Development Fund, to help finance her educational pursuits. She is thankful for the opportunity to have reliable funds for college.
“There are other expenses for nursing that start to add up, and finances was something I was worrying about going into college because I didn’t want to have a lot of debt or put a lot of things on my parents,” Kaleyah shared. “I am so motivated and independent, I want to be able to do things on my own terms by myself. So, I am really glad I’ve gotten an opportunity to pay for college mostly through scholarships.”
Juggling her time between her coursework, clinicals and work at a local physical therapy office, Kaleyah has a full schedule helping her gain valuable experience to take into her nursing career. She has also found great mentors in her COTC teachers and clinical instructors. “It’s nice to reach out to them and ask them questions about what we are doing,” she said. “They talk about their experience and are so nice and welcoming. I am just glad that they have been a good support system for us."
Kaleyah will graduate from the program in August 2021 and then go on to sit for her nursing boards. From there, she’d like to become a Certified Nurse Midwife to work with women through their pregnancy and labor and delivery. With her drive and dedication, it is certain that Kaleyah will continue to reach the goals she sets for herself.
Grace Lucas
Grace Lucas yearns for adventure, and her most recent experience has brought her to The Ohio State University at Newark. An early childhood education major from Jamestown, Ohio, Grace is a grateful recipient of the Park National Bank Scholarship of the Newark Campus Development Fund. “I am a self-funded student. I really don’t want to be in debt,” she says, so the generous financial assistance has impacted Grace’s life.
Ohio State may not have been the first choice for someone looking to move from Ohio, but the cost-effective tuition offered by Ohio State regional campuses drew Grace in. After a tour of Newark’s beautiful and welcoming campus and interactions with her future professors, she knew this was the place she wanted to be. Now in her sophomore year, Grace is still drawn to the caring faculty and smaller classes sizes at Ohio State Newark. “I find it comfortable,’ she said, “just the right amount of people.”
A key to Grace’s success has been getting involved on campus early on. Grace volunteers at Buckeye Visit Days, scheduled days in which high school students come to Ohio State Newark to learn more about campus. Grace represents TLC, the Teaching Learning Community, to recruit others to the campus organization that serves as a valuable network for education students. She also spends time working in the Education Curriculum Center, the on-campus resource center for undergraduate and graduate education students at Ohio State Newark. She credits her experience working at the ECC to her strong bonds with her education professors, whom also frequent the center.
The personal connection with the education department faculty makes Grace thankful she can complete her degree at The Ohio State University at Newark. Many factors went into Grace’s choice to become an educator herself, one of those being inspirational teachers in high school who helped her discover her passion. Also, the satisfaction of tutoring elementary students in math and seeing the look on the children’s faces when they understood what she was teaching helped Grace to know education was the right path for her.
Grace hopes to further explore her passion for education with an internship abroad. As a participant in STEP (Second-year Transformational Experience Program), Grace is currently creating a proposal for her dream opportunity – studying abroad to satisfy her desire to travel and an internship to help in her future career. After meeting with a faculty-led peer group throughout the fall, if approved, Grace could receive a $2,000 fellowship to fund her travels. “Because of COVID, it is a little tricky,” she shared, but with a one-year extension she is hoping she’ll be able to travel and bring back what she learns to share with her community.
Grace looks forward to completing her degree at The Ohio State University at Newark and then seeking an opportunity for her next adventure teaching abroad.
Sarah Napper
As a non-traditional student, Sarah Napper began her studies at The Ohio State University at Newark with a clear focus and special drive guiding her towards her goals. A 2003 graduate of Westerville North High School, Sarah now lives in New Albany with her husband and one-year-old daughter.
Prior to starting her studies at Ohio State Newark, Sarah was years into a successful career as a licensed cosmetologist. Her presence made her clients so comfortable that they felt inclined to talk to her about their problems. Pairing that natural occurrence with her love of helping people, Sarah is majoring in psychology with a neuroscience minor. Her ambition to pursue a graduate degree through OSU’s neuroscience or clinical psychology program drives her towards excellence.
Apart from a few classes Sarah has taken in Columbus to complete her neuroscience minor, attending Ohio State Newark has allowed Sarah to focus on exactly what she came here to do. “The focus is really on the education and the academics. Being at Newark helps keep you centered and focused on the goal, without too many distractions. I’m a non-traditional student so I look at it from an abstract standpoint,” Sarah shared. “It will allow you the opportunity to focus on exactly what you went to college to do—get a degree, get an education and move on with your life.”
Life did not stop for Sarah a year ago when she and her husband had their first baby. After taking a semester off from her studies, the beauty of attending Ohio State Newark was that Sarah felt she could jump right back in and not miss a beat. “Where I thought I was going to be so behind, my psych professors and advisor Dr. Renee Benham helped me stay on track, keep my schedule and not fall behind in any way.” The smaller environment offered on the Newark Campus felt like a little something extra that kept her from getting lost in the shuffle. Sarah’s growing team at home, with husband Kirk and baby Karah, add to her “why” as she pursues her education.
On top of everything else, Sarah has also had the opportunity to branch out and get involved on campus, even participating in her first theatrical play her freshman year! Sarah has been committed to her involvement with the Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Black Heritage Program each February. Sarah sees room for growth and change in our community and recognizes there is a lot of work to be done. She continues to advance progress as a student representative on the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee on campus.
Through all of her experiences, Sarah is exceptionally grateful to be the recipient of The Louis A. Mitchell Scholarship, a fund held at the Newark Campus Development Fund. “The scholarship has impacted my life greatly because it takes the burden off of me, my family and my husband,” she said. “It was very helpful to lighten the load for our family.” The financial support that Sarah receives as a result of generous donors is sure to help her in her pursuit of her dreams.
To her scholarship’s donors, Sarah says, “Thank you…money is a thing but when you translate it into something like a scholarship, it’s not a thing—it becomes life changing and it becomes meaningful. ‘Thank you’ says so much, even though it is only two words.”
