BLOOMINGTON – Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) has selected the second cohort of its Career Coaching Fellowship. Eighteen individuals who serve as school principals and counselors, career coaches, work-based and internship coordinators, teachers, or adult educators, have been selected.
On August 31, the second cohort kicked off with training at Ivy Tech in Bloomington followed by a tour of TASUS Corporation, an advanced manufacturing facility specializing in plastic molded components, decals, nameplates, and products for the automotive and transportation markets. Following the kickoff, Fellows will continue with a 10-month fellowship focused on developing regionally relevant career connections and articulated pathways that lead to high opportunity and high-wage jobs.
“The second cohort of the Career Coaching Fellowship will continue to elevate the capacity and expand opportunities to build career pathways for our youth,” said ROI Vice President of Talent Development Michi McClaine. “ROI’s 2nd Career Coaching cohort represents an impressive group of educators within our region. We could not be more pleased to have such a diverse group that will positively impact thousands of K-12 students and adult learners in the Indiana Uplands region.”
ROI Career Coaching Fellowship – Cohort #2
| First | Last | Organization Name | Position | County |
| Lily | Albright | Monroe County Community School Corporation | Adult Education Director | Monroe |
| Karen | Barry | Ivy Tech Sellersburg | Washington County Community & Career Coordinator | Washington |
| Craig | Belt | Monroe County Community School Corporation- Bloomington Graduation School | Principal | Monroe |
| Erik | Browning | Washington Community Schools | Preparing for College & Careers Teacher | Davies |
| Katie | Clarke | Monroe County Community School Corporation- Bloomington High School North | High School Counselor | Monroe |
| Stacey | Collins | Spencer-Owen Community Schools | Preparing for College & Careers Teacher | Owen |
| Danielle | Goodman | Linton-Stockton School Corporation | Career Connections Coach | Greene |
| Lisa | Halter | Monroe County Community School Corporation- Batchelor Middle School | Preparing for College & Careers Teacher | Monroe |
| Kate | Jones | Orleans Community Schools | Counselor | Orange |
| Melissa | Lottes | Barr-Reeve Community Schools | SIEC Career Coach | Daviess |
| Christine | Mahuron | Salem Community Schools | High School Counselor | Washington |
| Hannah | Newlin | Brown County Schools | Master Teacher, Brown County High School | Brown |
| Chad | Niehaus | Washington Community Schools | Career Connection Coach | Daviess |
| Cindi | Roberts | Mitchell Community Schools | Jr. High School Counselor | Lawrence |
| Meighan | Scott | Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation | Ready Schools Coach | Monroe |
| Beth | Sewell | Spencer-Owen Community Schools | High School Counselor | Owen |
| John | Sigman | Richland-Bean Blossom Community School Corporation | Preparing for College & Careers Teacher | Monroe |
| Jennifer | Zigler | Spencer-Owen Community Schools | Middle School Counselor | Owen |
ROI’s Career Coaching Fellowship was developed to strengthen the skills of individuals serving in career coaching roles throughout the Indiana Uplands. Data shows that the traditional career preparation models are insufficient for many students, and counselors everywhere have overwhelming caseloads. For every 100 high school seniors across the Uplands, only 25 will graduate, enroll in a credential-granting program, and successfully complete a credential within six years. This leaves approximately 2,900 every year without the credentials necessary to be competitive in the workforce. Additionally, more adults need upskilling or reskilling programs given the changing nature of work, demand for next-level skills, and the implications of the pandemic.
ROI’s most recent Occupational Needs Assessment indicates that key sector employers in the Indiana Uplands region will add thousands of new jobs in the coming years. Many of these jobs will require some form of post-secondary degree or credential. Under the current trajectory, the region will continue to lack the skilled talent and credentials to keep up with employer demand in the advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and defense sectors.
“To change that trajectory, we need to invest in our future talent and engage the teachers, counselors, and students in our region,” added McClaine. “If our long-term growth depends on a skilled workforce, it is up to us to make the connections that will allow students to find their passion in some of the amazing opportunities that are already available. Career Coaches become the connectors by using research-based innovative practices within their schools. The ultimate goal is to increase the number of students that pursue and complete relevant pathways that lead to successful post-secondary opportunities, continued education, or high opportunity employment.”
Participants in ROI’s Career Coaching Fellowship will participate in monthly professional development programs and connect with regional and state-wide career partners and resources.
This cohort will form an active regional career coaching network, build relationships with employer and community partners, and model successful evidence-based career coaching models within their organizations. Fellows will also receive a $1,500 stipend upon completing the Fellowship year and other relevant supporting resources and materials.
The 18 members of this cohort combined with the inaugural class bring the total to 36 Career Coaching Fellows. This new group joins a vibrant community of practice that extends to all 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands region.
Read more about ROI’s Career Coaching Fellowship Program:
https://regionalopportunityinc.org/career-coaching-fellowship/
About Regional Opportunity Initiatives
Regional Opportunity Initiatives (ROI) is a nonprofit organization with a mission to advance economic and community prosperity in the 11 counties of the Indiana Uplands (Brown, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, Monroe, Orange, Owen, and Washington counties). ROI is growing potential and possibility through a focus on advanced industry sectors, regionalism, transformative school and workforce redesign, and placemaking strategies. To learn more about ROI’s programs, visit https://regionalopportunityinc.org/.
Information: Bestsy Trotzke, ROI
