A Look back on the 2026 Community and Career Connected Learning Summit
Written By: Kaitlin Streator, BB2C Communications and Engagement Specialist
Southeast Ohio is full of educators, students, business leaders, and community members who are actively investing in our region’s talent ecosystem. While it’s remarkable to see what is happening in school systems and communities across Appalachian Ohio, sharing this good news across the region can sometimes be a challenge. That’s why Building Bridges to Careers (BB2C) hosts its annual Community and Career Connected Learning Summit. The Summit allows partners to learn from one another so everyone can continue the vital work of bridging the gap between education and employment, providing meaningful professional development for educators, and connecting businesses with students and teachers to bolster the future workforce.
Keynote Speaker Katie Good, Career Pathway Support Network Region Lead for Southeast Ohio, introduces the panelists at the 2026 Summit.
The 2026 Community and Career Connected Learning Summit was held on September 18th at Washington State College of Ohio in Marietta, welcoming around 200 students, educators, business leaders, and community members from across Appalachian Ohio. The event was sponsored by Ohio Natural Energy, Peoples Bank, and The Center for Appalachian Innovation at Marietta College. All three sponsors have a strong track record of supporting BB2C’s mission and serve as great examples of how nonprofits, for-profit businesses, and higher education institutions can collaborate to inspire career choices through experience, entrepreneurship, and education.
“Ohio Natural Energy Institute (ONEi) is proud to sponsor and collaborate with Building Bridges to Careers to provide businesses and educators across Southeast Ohio the chance to learn about educational endeavors that bring quality experiences to today's youth,” said Shawn Toy, Education and Workforce Development Director for ONEi. “This conference gives ONEi the opportunity to promote the free resources provided to teachers by Ohio's natural gas and oil producers.”
Breakout sessions encouraged discussions around best practices for classroom business engagement, strategies to increase student agency, and methods to align programming with regional employer needs. Following the morning panel discussion, BB2C recognized its Partners of the Year:
Educator of the Year: Jennifer Buckler (Western Local Schools)
Intern of the Year: Caleb Brown (Appalachian Ohio Manufacturers’ Coalition - AOMC)
Business Partner of the Year: Cedar Ridge Behavioral Health
Partner of the Year: Morgan Local Schools
Attendees also explored the Summit Showcase, where businesses, schools, and educators shared innovative local projects and programs. Highlights included students from McClain High School’s robotics club displaying their R2-D2 robots, First Mutual Bank sharing information on their Community Champion Loan Program, and TECHMobile Ohio showcasing hands-on STEM activities available to students and teachers.
In addition to the Showcase, AOMC hosted their M.A.D.E. Tour, an interactive experience introducing students to modern manufacturing, and Graham Wood, Interim Chief of Career-Tech and Workforce Readiness at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, provided updates on industry-recognized credentials for educators attending the conference.
Attendees gather at the Summit Showcase a Washington State College of Ohio
As the event concluded, participants returned to their respective communities equipped with actionable ideas to replicate in their schools and businesses—further strengthening local communities and future talent pipelines.