The University of Akron's Choose Ohio First (COF) program made a powerful investment in student success through its innovative partnership with Leadership Akron (LA) and the Center for Immersive Leadership (CIL), which is now called Heart to Heart Leadership. This collaboration, known as the Blue & Gold Collegiate Leadership & Workforce Series, brought together local leaders, industry professionals, and our UA scholars for a multi-session experience hosted on campus. Through engaging workshops, panel discussions and small-group interactions, students were exposed to real-world leadership insights, including purpose-driven leadership, communication, teamwork and professional development.

What made this partnership especially impactful was its intentional focus on connecting students to the Greater Akron community. Participants not only explored their personal values and leadership styles through tools such as the Enneagram and purpose-discovery exercises, but they also engaged directly with regional leaders such as Henry Johnson Jr. from Leadership Akron, and Jeremy Lile and Amy Cameron from Heart to Heart Leadership, who helped students understand what it means to be workforce-ready in today's evolving job market. As part of this experience, Blue & Gold participants attended the Greater Akron Chamber's (GAC) 119th annual meeting, one of the region's largest gatherings of business leaders, where they had the opportunity to network and glean from professionals across multiple industries. They were honored to receive a personal acknowledgement from the GAC President and CEO Steve Millard. This real-world exposure allowed our students to apply their networking and communication skills in a meaningful way while building confidence in professional spaces.

Over the course of the program, students also received key insights from top-level executives, including Torey Tolson, community involvement consultant at FirstEnergy; Ren Camacho, president and CEO of the Akron-Canton Regional Airport; Patricia Ruth, manager of Community Relations for Bridgestone Americas; and Dominic Caruso of Downtown Akron Partnership. These leaders highlighted the importance of communication, teamwork and community engagement in professional success. From learning how to build authentic professional networks to understanding the value of civic involvement and leadership, students gained skills that extended far beyond the classroom. Ultimately, this partnership prepared the next generation of leaders, equipping them with the confidence, connections and competencies needed to thrive in both their careers and their communities.

For any questions about the leadership program, please contact: Megan Minder at mminder@uakron.edu or 330-972-4377, www.leadershipakron.org or www.htohleadership.org.