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Tri-School Collaboration: Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Approach to Corporate Work Study

In the heart of Ohio, where the spirit of hard work thrives, The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation has emerged as a catalyst for change, reaching far beyond its traditional role. Across three Cristo Rey Network Schools: Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, the Ohio BWC serves as a Corporate Work Study Partner, leaving a mark on over 12 students’ professional journeys. Ohio BWC has partnered with Cristo Rey Columbus and Cincinnati over the past 6 years, and they recently expanded to include Saint Martin de Porres High School in Cleveland this year. Their commitment to the professional growth of students has not only fostered the skill development of students at each local school but has also facilitated meaningful connections among students across the three Cristo Rey Network Schools.

When Ohio BWC initiated its collaboration with Cristo Rey Schools, it was driven by a singular purpose: to positively impact students' lives. Scott McFadden, Chief of Claims Services, deeply appreciates that Ohio BWC has become a partner at all three Cristo Rey Schools in Ohio, viewing it as a tremendous opportunity for community involvement. When asked about the expansion into the Cleveland location this year, Scott highlighted his team's desire for deeper engagement, emphasizing that it offers students the chance to connect with peers from other Ohio locations like Columbus and Cincinnati. He firmly believes that instilling leadership skills early on empowers students to unlock their full potential, equipping them with the confidence and vision to navigate the complexities of the modern world.

Here in Cleveland, Othello Greer, Injury Management Supervisor, serves as a supervisor to Saint Martin student associates and loves every second of it. Othello loves the energy that students bring to the office and enjoys hearing their perspectives on things. He shares, “Corporate Work Study is extremely valuable to our office. We want to recruit and bring in new faces to our office and these students are already prepared to do so.”

The skills that students gain from Ohio BWC are centered around communication. Students learn how the business world works by building presentations, researching different topics, and speaking to numerous individuals within the organization. When asked how Ohio BWC helps students grow, Othello quickly answered with the word initiative. He shares, “One student filmed a holiday video for the office all on his own. This student came up with the idea, filmed, and edited the video without being asked.” Othello cherishes each student he works with and looks forward to seeing what else these students can accomplish during their time at Ohio BWC.

Outside of the impact that Ohio BWC is making at the local level in Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati, they are also fostering collaboration and teamwork across students at all three schools. Every week, the company facilitates a virtual meeting with students from all Cristo Rey Ohio schools where they discuss research articles as well as work on a combined presentation about their Corporate Work Study experience. This project culminated in April when students from Saint Martin de Porres, Cristo Rey Columbus, and DePaul Cristo Rey in Cincinnati traveled to Columbus to showcase their final presentation to the Ohio BWC’s Board of Directors, Senior Leadership Team, and staff members. This collaborative initiative not only allowed students to work together with their peers from other Cristo Rey Schools but also provided them with a platform to share their experiences. During these presentations, students articulated their Corporate Work Study journey with Ohio BWC, elucidating the valuable lessons they've gleaned from their time there.

The Ohio BWC’s extraordinary commitment to providing a Corporate Work Study experience for students nationwide was honored at the Cristo Rey Network’s Annual Meeting where they were awarded the prestigious Corporate Work Study National Impact Award. Among nearly 80 multi-city corporate partners engaged with Cristo Rey schools in three or more markets, seven employers were selected for this honor. We are thankful for our new partnership with the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and look forward to how we can work together to continue impacting our students for years to come.