AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 10, 2026
Ohio State Business Students Earn Credit Through Community Service
The Ohio State University Fisher College of Business has launched a new initiative that allows students to earn course credit by engaging in community service and mentoring local elementary school children. This pilot program, known as the Leading Through Service class, is a partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Central Ohio and seeks to offer experiential learning opportunities that benefit both Ohio State students and young children from Weinland Park Elementary School.
A New Approach to Service Learning and Student Mentoring
Olivia Darmanie, a marketing major, is among the 10 students participating in the program. She spends time mentoring a second-grader, referred to as her "Little Sister," focusing on helping her articulate her emotions—an experience that has also improved Darmanie’s own communication and patience. The program requires students to meet with their elementary counterparts for one class period each week, working on emotional intelligence, leadership skills, and basic business principles.
Building Emotional Intelligence and Leadership Skills
“We were really working on her being able to express her emotions because sometimes that can be really hard, especially when you’re little,” Darmanie explained. By the end of the semester, the student she mentored was able to better understand and communicate her feelings. For Darmanie, the process also highlighted the importance of emotional regulation and patience—skills valuable for personal development and future professional situations.
Course Credit for Community Involvement
Cynthia Turner, strategic advisor to the dean at Fisher, identified the program as a first for the college, where business students receive course credit for community service. Turner described the aims: “One goal was to have, at the end of the semester, the Littles knowing a little bit more about business, a little bit more about Fisher and Ohio State,” while also providing Ohio State students with the opportunity to develop their emotional intelligence in a diverse, practical setting.
Program Curriculum and Mentorship Philosophy
The weekly curriculum at Ohio State prepares mentors to interact with their young partners. Terry Esper, professor of logistics and instructor for the Leading Through Service class, said the course was designed to highlight the value of mentoring in developing leadership skills important for business professionals. “This was a really good opportunity for us to leverage this idea of mentoring someone who’s significantly younger than you and how that would play out if we were to apply that to a business organization,” Esper noted.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Partnership and Student Projects
Gabriella Perkins, BBBS public service strategist, emphasized the dual benefits of the partnership. For the elementary students, it offers a supportive adult role model, while Ohio State students gain service learning and leadership experience. Projects such as developing a lemonade stand business plan give children exposure to entrepreneurial concepts under their mentor’s guidance.
Student Experiences and Lasting Impact
Samantha Roman, a human resources major, and Juan Colon, who studies real estate and political science, reflected on the importance of building strong connections with their mentees—through activities like mentoring and even playing chess. Finance major Mike Zebedee Musungu shared his motivation for returning: encouraging his mentee to explore academic and career possibilities.
The Leading Through Service program at Ohio State University demonstrates the value of community service, youth mentorship, and experiential learning in higher education, highlighting how these experiences cultivate both leadership skills and personal growth among students while impacting the community.
Source: news.osu.edu.
