SCHEDULE & SESSIONS
Opening Session
9 - 10 a.m.
WELCOME: Dr. Eric Andrew Braun, Shawnee State University
OHIO EXCELS REALITY CHECK: Transforming Education Today, Empowering Talent Tomorrow: Cassie Palsgrove, Ohio Excels
STUDENTS AS PATHMAKERS PANEL: Ethan Knotts, Tori Gaston, Bryce Van Hoy, Kenneth Hopkins
NETWORK STUDENT PATHMAKER PARTNER OF THE YEAR— Ethan Knotts
NETWORK INTERNSHIP PARTNER OF THE YEAR— Total Media
NETWORK PARTNER OF THE YEAR— Shawnee State University
Breakout Session One
10:10 - 10:55 a.m.
Choose One to Attend
Careers, Community, & Classrooms: Connecting Exploratory Activities & Curriculum Across K-8th Grades
Discover how K–8 classrooms and communities can work together to make exploration a natural part of learning. In this session, students and educators will share how hands-on opportunities spark curiosity, build confidence, and help young people see themselves as leaders shaping both their futures and their hometowns.
Careers, Community, & Classrooms: Connecting Exploratory Activities & Curriculum Across 9th-12th Grades
Discover how 9–12 classrooms and communities can work together to make exploration a natural part of learning. In this session, students and educators will share how hands-on opportunities spark curiosity, build confidence, and help young people see themselves as leaders shaping both their futures and their hometowns.
Higher Education Focus: Engaging Pre-service Teachers across the Region
Tomorrow’s teachers are today’s learners. In this session, pre-service teachers share how community and career-connected learning has shaped their own growth and professional identity. Higher education and K–12 partners will discuss how preparing future educators as pathmakers ensures that classrooms across the region stay rooted in exploration and community connection.
Workforce Solutions: Students Exploring Careers in Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the region’s most critical workforce needs. This session lifts student stories of exploring health careers, alongside educators and employers who are opening doors. Together, we’ll explore how hands-on experiences help students envision themselves as the next generation of healers, caregivers, and innovators.
Workforce Solutions: Students Exploring Careers in Manufacturing
Manufacturing in Appalachian Ohio is evolving, and students are at the heart of shaping its future. This session highlights how exploration in modern manufacturing unlocks student talent, shifts perceptions, and connects young people to meaningful careers that strengthen both local industry and community.
How Data Can Help Shape Policy Solutions
Behind every number is a story- and students’ stories matter most. This session examines how data and student voices can collectively inform education and workforce policy. Students, educators, and policymakers will consider how evidence of exploration’s impact can drive better decisions for schools, communities, and the region.
Breakout Session Two
11:05 a.m. - 11:50 p.m.
Choose One to Attend
Careers, Community, & Classrooms: Connecting Exploratory Activities & Curriculum Across K-8th Grades
Discover how K–8 classrooms and communities can work together to make exploration a natural part of learning. In this session, students and educators will share how hands-on opportunities spark curiosity, build confidence, and help young people see themselves as leaders shaping both their futures and their hometowns.
Careers, Community, & Classrooms: Connecting Exploratory Activities & Curriculum Across 9th-12th Grades
Discover how 9–12 classrooms and communities can work together to make exploration a natural part of learning. In this session, students and educators will share how hands-on opportunities spark curiosity, build confidence, and help young people see themselves as leaders shaping both their futures and their hometowns.
AI Integration in K-12
As AI continues to transform the educational landscape, educators must understand how to leverage these technologies to enhance teaching and learning experiences. Join us for an engaging and interactive session designed to empower K-12 educators with practical tools and strategies to seamlessly integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their classrooms.
Workforce Solutions: Students Exploring Careers in Healthcare
Healthcare is one of the region’s most critical workforce needs. This session lifts student stories of exploring health careers, alongside educators and employers who are opening doors. Together, we’ll explore how hands-on experiences help students envision themselves as the next generation of healers, caregivers, and innovators.
Workforce Solutions: Students Exploring Careers in Manufacturing
Manufacturing in Appalachian Ohio is evolving, and students are at the heart of shaping its future. This session highlights how exploration in modern manufacturing unlocks student talent, shifts perceptions, and connects young people to meaningful careers that strengthen both local industry and community.
How Data Can Shape Community & Career Connected Learning Best Practices
What does success look like when students are the pathmakers? This session examines how schools and partners can utilize data, paired with student experiences, to identify what works best in community and career-connected learning. Participants will learn how to measure growth beyond test scores and use data to strengthen practice.
Networking Lunch
12:00 - 12:45 p.m.
Pathmaking through Policy & Practice
12:45 - 1:45 p.m.
What do Students, Businesses, & Communities Need to Thrive
Telling Your Story to Bridge the Gap
1:45 - 2:30 p.m.
Storytelling is something BB2C is doing to influence policy, to ensure that the work done at our rural schools, districts, classrooms, and in communities is seen at the state and regional level.
During this session, participants will have the opportunity to use the Sensemaker Tool, through a collaboration with CivicLab, to share how they’ve inspired young people and contributed to building a stronger community. The anonymous feedback will provide insights to help uncover tools, relationships, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships between classrooms, careers, and communities.
Community & Career Connected Learning Showcase
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Network with professionals, students, educators, and community leaders as you explore different community & career connected learning (CCCL) models, programs, and events. Leave with tips, tricks, tools, and templates to strengthen CCCL in your schools, your businesses, and your community.
BB2C Network Staff
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Jeremy Ward
Network Director
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Jordan Spence
Network Regional Coordinator
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Emily Bentley
Education Engagement Specialist