|
|
 |
|
Eddie
Olinger and Jessica Apple attend the final business
capstone session to report on their
experience with The Future Begins
Today at Camp Kentahten.
|
|
Edison State Business
Students Pay It Forward
Students enrolled in Edison State Community College’s business program
recently completed service learning projects as part of their business
capstone class. Thirty-four students provided a combined total of over
600 service hours to regional not-for-profit organizations.¬
Students were involved with everything from running audit reports to
leadership programs for organizations such as the Ducks Unlimited–Darke
County Chapter, Edison State Business Programs, The Future Begins
Today, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio and West Liberty, Ohio, Miami Valley
Veterans Museum, Ohio Benefits Bank, Piqua Youth Soccer, and Troy
Senior Center.
“Each student contributes approximately 15-20 hours to the project,
allowing them to apply discipline-specific business skills and improve
their communication, interpersonal, and analytical skills as they give
back to the community,” said Ruth Barney, Professor of Marketing and
Business Capstone Instructor.
The group of students who joined forces with Troy, Ohio-based The
Future Begins Today (TFBT) were able to help with an array of the
organization’s day-to-day activities.
“After about of decade of partnership with the Edison State Service
Learning Capstone project and instructors, The Future Begins Today was
honored to have four students who embraced our mission and offered
their service time to its students and programs this spring,” said
Natalie Rohlfs, Executive Director of The Future Begins Today.
Lauren Cloud of Russia assisted with office management as she developed
an email campaign and managed databases while Ryan Marshall of Troy
provided one-on-one tutoring to local elementary students in need of
assistance. She also spent several hours assisting the After School
tutoring program at Edison Darke County Campus.
Meanwhile, Jessica Apple of Troy and Eddie Olinger of Dayton traveled
with seventy-five of Troy’s middle school students and nine chaperones
to Campbellsville, Kentucky, to attend a three-day, two-night
experience at the Tim Horton Camp Kentahten.
“The camp experience is designed to build positive character traits,
teamwork and independence amongst students so that they can learn and
apply these newly-developed skills back home, in school, and in their
communities,” said Rohlfs.
In addition to Troy students benefitting from the experience, both
Edison State students returned home with a greater sense of being. “I
learned a lot from the experience,” said Olinger. “It was exciting to
be a part of something bigger than myself, and to work in a team
environment and see your impact both directly and indirectly.”
“The camp really focused on allowing the kids to see and be a leader,”
added Apple. “Not someone who takes control, but someone who can step
up and lead a team to work together toward a better end goal. I think
the focus on being a leader is important to everyday life skills,
especially when applied to the business field.”
Both would do it all again if the opportunity presented itself. “Being
a part of Camp Kentahten for my service learning project was honestly a
life changing experience for me because I was getting to know kids who
really just needed someone to listen and understand. My experience at
camp is one I won’t forget. This is an opportunity I am hoping to get
to experience again,” added Apple.
Apple and Olinger, along with their 32 classmates, will graduate in May
with an Associate of Applied Business degree and hands-on experience to
help launch their professional careers or continue their education.
Olinger, who is currently employed in a customer service role, hopes to
advance his career in a marketing or public relations capacity. Apple
plans to transfer to the University of Cincinnati to continue her
education in marketing.
“The TFBT board of trustees and I were thrilled to have their
involvement and are grateful to instructors Ruth Barney and Sandra
Streitenberger for including TFBT in such a meaningful experience for
the students, community non-profits, and Edison State,” added Rohlfs.
|
|
|
|
