Nisonger Center’s partnership with JPMorganChase has opened the path for our students to get internships in the industry. Jeff Cowgill has been a great support in this process and we are excited to see him win an Outstanding Diversity Champion Award as a 2025 Diversity in Business Honoree. This award recognizes his commitment to DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion) in 2025.
Thank you Jeff for all you do!
On January 13th 2025, we here at the Nisonger Center held a housing information session. This session highlighted off-campus options and resources along with our housing partners. Here are some of the resources we discussed :
Students are actively participating in biweekly meetings with our disability career specialists – Emily and Stevie – to research and find internships and jobs that will provide them with valuable work experience while pursuing their long-term career goals! We are in the process of reaching out to businesses to set up job previews for our students at places like JP Morgan Chase and Crimson Cup coffee shop. Students currently work all over campus in spaces like the RPAC and dining halls. We hope to give eager students an accessible opportunity to gain work experience!
The Aspirations Fall Festival on October 19th was a delightful event featuring delicious food, exciting games, and a lively costume contest. Families and friends gathered to enjoy the festive atmosphere, showcasing creative costumes and indulging in seasonal treats. It was a memorable day filled with fun and community spirit. You can watch a short video of the costume contest here: IMG_1324 (2)
For July, Men’s Aspirations went for an 8-mile bike ride on Scioto Trail. From left to right, we have Michael, Alex, Joe, Sheena, Noah, Sam, The Roys, and Jack. As a group, this was our first bike ride, let alone a bike ride in the city—moving through metro parks, under active trains, alongside Scioto River, aside highways, in the midst of walking Crew fans, and across traffic. Our collective goal for next time is to go further than 8 miles.
Men’s Aspirations went to the Park of Roses and Jeni’s for June!
We started the event by hiking alongside the Park of Roses (a trail no one knew existed that took us near a creek with hills canopied by trees). Out of the woods, we walked through the Park of Roses, checking out 200+ species of roses, herbs, and perennials. We walked over 2 miles.
After the park, we drove to Jeni’s and enjoyed a sweet and cool treat — exactly where it started to rain.
The conversations never stopped, and at least 2 guys exchanged numbers! BIG WIN!
Men’s Aspirations is a social group where we EXPLORE and go on an ADVENTURE. The focus is to move, be active, and accomplish something with new friends. We have a basic schedule for the event but are flexible to try new things and for members to take ownership.
For May, Men’s Aspirations adventured to Quarry Trails Metro Park in Columbus, Ohio. We hiked nearly 4 miles, cooled off under a waterfall, and relaxed on a group hammock.
Coming up in June–We’re heading to The Garden of Roses, followed by ice cream.
Ace! student Meera Nadathur graduated in December of 2023 with her Forestry, Fisheries, and Wildlife degree from The Ohio State University.
TOPS staff interviewed Meera asking her a series of questions.
Q: Who had the greatest impact on your academic success and why?
A: The math tutors did a lot to help me get through calculus, the hardest class I’ve taken at OSU.
Q: What was your favorite part about college?
A: I enjoyed learning a lot about several different subjects , including wildlife which interests me the most. I also enjoyed getting to know many different great people.
Q: What are your plans post graduation?
A: I am working on obtaining a career that involves helping endangered species.
Q: How would you rate your overall college experience? (1 being the worst and 5 being the best).
A: 3.5/5
Great work Meera!
Ace! wants to congratulate its three winter graduates: Hunter Mastin, Meera Nadatur, and Ben Pearlstein as well as its two spring graduates: Hunter Mastin (again!) and Ashvini Rulshrestha.
Hunter Mastin graduated in December with his psychology degree and then again in May with his computer software engineering degree.
Meera Nadatur graduated in December with her computer science degree.
Ben Pearlstein graduated in December with his wildlife degree.
Ashvini Kulshrestha graduated in May with his Masters degree.
Stay tuned for one-on-one interviews with each of these graduates! To be posted soon…
Great work everyone!
Congratulations to Elizabeth Griffin, John Wood, Jillian Turner, Casey Carnegie, Mallory Rice, and Erik Heathcock for graduating from OSU with their work certificate.
Here are some pictures from Ohio State’s graduation with TOPS students and staff!
