Monthly News for Our Donors & Partners
May 2024
From the Development Director: The Chatfield Edge Empowers Students
We’re thrilled to share the latest strides in our mission. In April, we hosted 78 of our friends, sponsors, student scholars, mentors, and volunteers at Ursuline Academy to celebrate our progress as an organization and honor the accomplishments of the 32 students we have supported since we launched in January 2023.
One of the cornerstones of The Chatfield Edge is the robust support we provide as students pursue their own unique postsecondary degrees or certifications. Through strategic partnerships and tailored programs, we empower students to excel no matter their path. Whether attending college at Harvard, Cincinnati State, or Mount St. Joseph University or focusing on trades ranging from dental hygiene to digital innovation, we provide the guardrails to help our scholars pursue their educational goals with confidence and competence.
The Chatfield Edge offers online certification programs to equip learners with the flexibility to enhance their credentials remotely, opening doors to a myriad of professional opportunities in today’s digital landscape. In tandem with trade schools and other online certification programs, we champion the pursuit of virtual learning as a dynamic avenue for personal and professional growth.
This holistic approach not only prepares individuals for successful careers but also instills in them the resilience, adaptability, and passion for learning that is essential for thriving in an ever-evolving world. Thus, the 178-year-old Ursuline educational legacy continues!
Join us as we continue to redefine the possibilities of postsecondary education and empower students to unlock their full potential with The Chatfield Edge.
Student Scholar: Ethan Kirk
As spring quickly turns to summer, resorts and amusement parks throughout the country are filling with families looking for fun in the sun. The people who staff those venues, including Chatfield Scholar Ethan Kirk, are already working behind the scenes to prepare for a busy summer.
Ethan is enrolled in the Resort and Attraction Management (RAAM) program at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). As a high school student, he attended Chatfield College and, upon graduation from Hillsboro High School in 2023, he was able to enter BGSU as a junior.
To help offset college expenses and to further his learning about the field, Ethan secured a job during the school year with Hilton. This summer, he will be doing a hotel operations internship with Cedar Point. Upon graduation next spring, Ethan hopes to work in a large-scale hotel resort somewhere in the United States.
The recipient of the Ann E. Fender and Timothy Smith Scholarships, Ethan recognizes that the support he receives from The Chatfield Edge is helping him pursue his education. Read more about Ethan’s educational journey here.
Mentor Spotlight: Erin Harris
The educational legacy of the Ursulines of Brown County played an important role in Erin Harris’ life when she earned her associate degree in business administration at Chatfield College as a high school student. Now, she plays in important role in continuing that legacy as a mentor with The Chatfield Edge.
After earning her BA in marketing and finance from Wilmington College, Erin worked in banking for eight years after which she recognized that her true calling was in education. She returned to the classroom to complete an MA in education from Mt. Vernon Nazarene University in 2010.
Today, Erin is the Director of the Susan Sargen Student Enterprise Program (StEP) at the Alpaugh Family Economics Center at the University of Cincinnati. She helps students in 24 tri-state area schools students gain 21st century skills related to entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and financial responsibility.
Erin realizes that her role in the field of education is not typical yet when she saw a social media post about the need for mentors at The Chatfield Edge, she knew she wanted to help shape future teachers.
“As someone who works in education, I am concerned about the turnover in the field and see mentoring as a chance to help education majors understand the realities of their future careers,” Erin reflected. “Teaching is a hard profession, and I didn’t have a mentor when I was starting out.”
Read more here about why Erin chooses to serve as a mentor with The Chatfield Edge.
Didn’t qualify for the Olympics in Paris? Join us for the Nun Run!
We are looking for sponsors and runners to join us for our annual Nun Run! Gather your family friends and sign up here to run or walk a 5k on Saturday, July 20 in beautiful Brown County.
Not a runner or unable to attend? Click here to learn more about sponsorship opportunities to support the event and the mission of The Chatfield Edge.
Lace up your shoes and we will see you in July!
