The Advocates for Communities and Education Scholars (ACES) program is a community that provides an atmosphere of support and active participation in a fun, compassionate student environment.
ACES students form a cohort founded on exploration and discussion, with an emphasis on community service and educational events. Students from a wide variety of career paths are invited to join a program that encourages individual leadership growth while also prioritizing the creation of a social and emotional supportive group environment.
Academics
ACES students engage with faculty, staff and community leaders to discuss new ideas and develop opportunities to expand the concepts and fundamentals of education. ACES regularly hosts study sessions and provides additional resources to ensure the academic success of our Scholars.
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
Students participate in a variety of community activities within The Ohio State University community. Guest speakers include leading business leaders, founders of nonprofits and service organizations, political leaders, and research scientists, among other difference-makers. ACES students establish connections with a variety of academic and business mentors.
Signature Programs
- A campus visit by education podcaster and activist Steven Shapiro
- Community service discussions led by elected officials, including Grandview City Council President Emily Keeler, State Representative Rep. Munira Abdullahi, and other government officials.
- Career education programs and workshops led by various career services professionals.
- Regular ACES workshops highlighting student opportunities for internships and study abroad programs along with funding opportunities.
- Panels featuring former ACES alumni discussing their post-graduate professional experiences and connection opportunities for students.
- Seminars led by university intervention specialists that focus on developing study skills, organizational strategies and utilization of university academic and emotional health resources.
- Operation of our student food pantry and collaboration with campus food events with partners such as Buckeye Bites, OSU Community Gardens, among others.
- ACES social events, including our autumn semester Move-in Week Field Day, annual Halloween party, Valentines Day party, Reading Day Snacking Study Rooms, Smith-Steeb Study Groups, Paint and Sip Art and Hors d’ Oeuvres events, formal-attire Italian dinner night, and annual wrap-up awards ceremony.
Community
The shared living environment provides ACES students with a structured community experience where they make friends and receive the social and emotional support to become successful Buckeyes. From the very first day they move in, students are welcomed with events that allow them to meet their fellow Scholars students and make friendships. Our program provides a caring community of resources and a calendar full of fun social events.
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.