Thank you to all the partners and participants for making the first Propel Ohio a success.
Click here to view photos from Propel Ohio 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Propel Ohio?
- Propel Ohio is a leadership program that promotes civic engagement and inspires undergraduate students to grow into civic leaders in Ohio.
- Propel Ohio features a one-day statewide conference in the fall and five Regional Gatherings in the winter and spring.
- Propel Ohio will actively engage with college students on issues that affect childhood poverty, including health and hunger, education, and housing security.
What will happen at Propel Ohio?
- The program will feature U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, guest speakers, and workshop facilitators who will discuss how college students can tackle childhood poverty in their Ohio communities.
- Propel Ohio will also feature a Resource Fair, where students will connect with Ohio-based organizations that are tackling childhood poverty.
- Students and administrators will participate in an Engagement Fair, where campus programs that address childhood poverty will be featured in poster displays.
When and where will Propel Ohio take place?
- Propel Ohio will be held on Friday, October 14, 2016 at the University of Dayton, 1700 S. Patterson Blvd., Dayton, OH 45409.
- Registration and set-up for the Engagement Fair will begin at 9 a.m. The program starts at 10 a.m. and ends at 5:30 p.m.
Who can attend Propel Ohio?
- Each of Ohio’s two-year and four-year public and private colleges and universities is currently invited to appoint up to three undergraduate students and one administrator to attend Propel Ohio at the University of Dayton.
- Undergraduate students can submit their applications here.
- The application deadline is Friday September 16, 2016.
- Applications will be shared by Senator Brown’s office with students’ place of higher education. All placement decisions will be made by September 30, followed by a notification by Senator Brown’s office and/or your place of higher education.
- Administrators will work with their students in developing a poster to showcase a civic engagement activity on their campuses that tackles childhood poverty.
Who will be speaking at Propel Ohio?
- Current confirmed speakers include U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, Former Ohio Governor Bob Taft, House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn, State Senator Peggy Lehner, Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley, University of Dayton President Eric Spina, Dr. Megan Sandel of Children’s Health Watch, Rebecca Asmo of Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus, Dr. Elizabeth Zmuda of the American Academy of Pediatrics Ohio Chapter, Bill Faith of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, Dr. Hunter Phillips Goodman from University of Dayton, Tina Dunphy from the Corporation for National and Community Service, Sharon Howard from Miami Valley Hospital, and Dick Kinsley from Ohio Campus Compact, Teach For America Alum Ashley Johnson, Myia Batie from the Ohio Corporation for Housing, Mary Lynn Foster from Children’s Hunger Alliance, and Timothy Jadlot-Roe from Ohio United Way.
What organizations will be participating in the Resource Fair at Propel Ohio?
- Organizations participating in the Resource Fair include Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus, Celebrate One, Children's Hunger Alliance, Corporation for National and Community Service, Daybreak, Disability Rights Ohio, Habitat for Humanity of Ohio, Hall Hunger Initiative, HomeOwnership Center of Greater Dayton, Kirwan Institute, Miami Valley Child Development Centers, Mid-Ohio Foodbank, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Ohio, Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children, Ohio Association of Community Action Agencies, Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities, Ohio Association of Foodbanks, Ohio Campus Compact, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Ohio Children's Hospital Association, Ohio Healthy Homes Network, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Ohio Neighborworks Collaborative, Ohio Pediatrics Association, Ohio United Way, Office of Senator Sherrod Brown, Rural Action, Serve Ohio, Teach for America, The Ohio Head Start Association, USDA, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Voices for Ohio's Children.
What happens after Propel Ohio at University of Dayton?
- Propel Ohio Regional Gatherings will take place at Wittenberg University, Shawnee State University, Columbus State Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, and Bowling Green State University.
- Regional gatherings give students the opportunity to build on ideas discussed at the main conference and begin to implement solutions in their local communities.
- Dates of the Regional Gatherings will be announced at a later time.
Who are the partners for Propel Ohio?
- Current partners include the Office of U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, Ohio Campus Compact, the Corporation for National and Community Service, the University of Dayton, the Fitz Center for Leadership in Community, Ohio United Way, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Children’s Hunger Alliance, and Boys and Girls Clubs of Columbus.
What is the host committee for Propel Ohio?
- The host committee, which consists of administrators and students, helps provide feedback and suggestions on topics, the agenda, and speakers for the program.
- The committee is made up of the following 10 colleges and universities: Bowling Green State University, Cuyahoga Community College, Denison University, Ohio Northern University, The Ohio State University, Shawnee State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, Youngstown State University, and Zane State College.
When was Propel Ohio launched?
- In its first year in 2015, Propel Ohio took place at The Ohio State University.
- 250 student leaders and administrators from 60 colleges and universities attended the conference to learn about some of the most pressing issues facing the state – food security, mental health and human trafficking.
- Regional Gatherings took place at Capital University, Ohio University, the University of Findlay, Walsh University, and Wilmington College.
Propel Ohio quotes from attendees last year:
“There are so many opportunities to give back to the community. It is our job, as citizens, to take them.”
“Don’t wait for someone to tell you ‘you can do it’. Just do it. Give yourself power to make change.”
“There is always something a person can do to make Ohio, or the world, a better place, and it starts from within.”
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