Office of Student Life

Today's Update: Wednesday, October 1, 2025

October 1, 2025

Dear Student Life team,  

President Carter recently shared an inspiring vision for the future of Ohio State during his State of the University address. Central to this vision is the Education for Citizenship 2035 plan, which includes a bold goal: by 2035, 80% of students will complete an internship before graduation. 

To help achieve this, Ohio State is launching a Career Services Center of Excellence within the Office of Academic Affairs on January 1, 2026. This new university-wide initiative will strengthen internship opportunities for students, expand connections with employers and provide enhanced support to college career services offices. The ultimate goal is to prepare students for life after graduation.  

This exciting development builds on the strong foundation laid by Buckeye Careers over the past decade. Special thanks to Nancy Thompson for her expert guidance in shaping the structure of the new center. As part of this transition: 

  • Buckeye Careers staff focused on employer relations and career technology will join the new center within Academic Affairs. 

  • Student-facing services within Buckeye Careers, including career coaching and the Student Employment Experience program, will move to Buckeye Commons, aligning with students’ hopes for the space to support professional development. 

  • The Graduation Survey and First Destination surveys, administered by the Center for the Study of Student Life, will transition to Institutional Research and Planning.  

While this marks a transition for Buckeye Careers, it’s truly a new beginning—one that allows us to better serve students. Recent program reviews recommended aligning Buckeye Careers more closely with the university’s academic mission. By placing the new center within Academic Affairs, we’ll foster stronger collaboration across colleges and enhance student support. 

This shift also empowers Buckeye Commons to expand its reach. Starting next autumn, Buckeye Commons will launch three Career Studios across campus. These drop-in spaces will offer peer-to-peer career coaching: whether students need a quick resume review, help setting up a Handshake account or guidance on finding internships. This frees up professional career coaches to focus on deeper conversations about career development. 

Together, these changes represent a major step forward in connecting learning, citizenship and career readiness, ensuring our students graduate not just with a degree, but with the tools for lifelong success. 

 

Melissa S. Shivers, PhD 
Senior Vice President for Student Life  
The Ohio State University