The Advocates for Communities and Education Scholars (ACES) Program is designed for students of all majors with an interest in learning about the various elements of communities and advocacy for communities through education, awareness, and service.
The program enables Scholars to examine a variety of community issues through lectures, discussions, excursions, and volunteer experiences. Students in this program have diverse career goals including but not limited to: education, counseling, event planning and programming, financial planning, health promotion, dietetics, administration, social work, medicine, non-profit and business.
Academics
ACES have the opportunity to engage with faculty, staff, and community leaders inside and outside of the classroom. The programs offered compliment what students are learning in the classroom and offer personal connection that other students do not find. Students are encouraged to explore different fields to ensure their comfort with their chosen career path.
Seminar Course
All first-year ACES will enroll in the scholars seminar course (1100) during autumn semester. During the seminar course, students will...
- Develop a full understanding of key topics and concepts related to communities and education
- Engage in critical and analytical scholarly discourse with both peers and individuals across campus and the local community
Events and Activities
Through specialized programming, such as lectures, workshops, discussions and site visits, ACES gain knowledge and insight into important educational, social, economic, and political issues affecting today’s communities. Through these experiences, students develop a deeper awareness of children’s issues such as educational inequality, homelessness, healthcare and economic access to education and other community services.
Signature Programs
- A campus visit by educator and activist Jonathan Kozol
- A lecture with Ohio Treasurer of State Richard Cordray and the Honorable Jeffrey S. Sutton
- A Graduate Panel Discussion on the importance of service for the undergraduate curriculum
- Dinner and Movie Documentaries on various ACES themes, such as poverty, education inequality, service
- Faculty “chats” from professors in the College of Education and Human Ecology on language development in children, and socialization in society
- Former ACE Scholars Panel discussing their post-graduate research opportunities
Community
This shared living environment provides ACES with a close knit community of students who are passionate about making a difference for children. ACES challenge each other to think critically about the world around them and support one another in their efforts to make a difference. Community service is also an integral part of the ACES program. Students are encouraged to volunteer in a variety of settings related to communities.
Mentoring Program
- First year ACES Scholars are paired with upper-class ACES Scholars to help them individually transition into the ACES Scholars community.
- All ACES Scholars are invited to participate in a mentorship program with a local high school which provides our students the opportunity to develop meaningful connections within the community
Community Meetings and Service
- ACES Scholars is proud to provide a food pantry in collaboration with the College of Education and Human Ecology to provide all Ohio State students experiencing food insecurity on campus.
- ACES Leadership Council is comprised of upper-class ACES Scholars who assist in mentoring and planning program and events. · Community service projects include: participating in Community Commitment, and the MLK Jr. Day of Service, Ronald McDonald House, Star House and more!
Residential Requirement
First-year Advocates for Communities and Education Scholars students live together in Smith-Steeb Hall.
The residential community is an important element of the Scholars experience, and is required for all students with the exception of commuter students. Space in the prescribed residence hall is subject to availability, and while Scholars are given housing priority, space is not guaranteed and students may be placed in other accommodations due to program demand if necessary.
All Scholars
While each of the 16 Scholars Programs builds experiences for students around its unique theme, students benefit from shared Scholars experiences. All Scholars Programs:
- Are open to students of any major.
- Feature a first-year residential community.
- Have a first-year seminar course.
- Are led by an experienced full-time professional Program Manager.
- Are academically-driven communities with a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 to participate.
- Have a student leadership council, offering leadership opportunities, community programming, and service projects.