November 07, 2025 — The normally quiet library at Beechcroft High School buzzed with excitement this week as community leaders gathered to celebrate a new partner stepping up to help students chart their path to future careers or college. Columbus City Schools (CCS), OhioHealth, and I Know I Can (IKIC) joined forces to open doors to healthcare careers through hands-on learning, career exploration, and workforce readiness.
On Tuesday, OhioHealth generously invested $150,000 with IKIC to support work with CCS’ students in Career Academies. This support will support work with students at Beechcroft High School, East High School, and beyond as they explore careers in health science while building the skills and confidence to pursue them.
“When education and industry come together, we create powerful opportunities for students to earn credentials, gain experience, and step into the city’s workforce ready to lead,” said Dr. Angela Chapman, Superintendent/CEO of Columbus City Schools. “Our vision is to spread the Academies model across our schools equitably in the coming years, so that every student has a chance to choose an academy that reflects their interest, builds on their strengths, and connects them to real opportunities.”
For OhioHealth, it’s about cultivating the next generation of healthcare professionals, by investing in young people who may one day serve in local hospitals, laboratories, or clinics as part of Columbus’ well trained workforce.
“This investment from OhioHealth will help our students not only dream about their futures but build real, achievable plans to reach them,” said Katina Fullen, CEO of I Know I Can. “Together, we are preparing the next generation of professionals who will serve and strengthen our community.”
At Beechcroft High School, students in the Health Science Academy already explore topics like anatomy, patient care, and medical terminology. With this new support, those lessons can now be applied to real-world experiences, including hospital tours, shadowing opportunities, and internships that help students picture themselves in scrubs or leadership roles in healthcare.
“This incredible investment will help prepare our students for rewarding careers in healthcare, providing them with the skills, training, and opportunities they need to succeed in this vital field,” said Beechcroft High School Principal Dr. Samuel Johnson, Jr..
Students in the Freshman Academy at East High School are also set to benefit. IKIC career navigators will guide students through self-discovery exercises, career assessments, and skill-building activities that connect directly to the health sciences pathway. These early explorations help students chart a meaningful course before graduation.
“When our students witness what’s possible, their belief in themselves transforms,” said Megan Noble, Executive Director of Career-Technical Education & Workforce Development at CCS. “This partnership allows us to create engaging experiences and bring career exploration to life in a way that’s inspiring, hands-on, and connected to real opportunities right here in Columbus.”
For CCS, this collaboration embodies what’s possible when the District, community organizations, and industry leaders unite behind a shared goal: ensuring every student graduates prepared for success.
“Together, we are building the bridge between potential and opportunity so every student can dream big and achieve their goals,” Fullen said.
