We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Anthony Murphy, the CEO of Lead the Way (LTW), to discuss the exciting initiatives his team has planned for 2025. LTW is committed to empowering students through a variety of educational and career readiness programs. Our mission is to inspire youth to pursue their passions with purpose, offering clarity, inspiration, and growth opportunities through research-backed initiatives. LTW envisions becoming a premier partner for parents, students, educators, and the community, recognized for their significant contributions to workforce development. Continue reading to learn more about what’s happening at LTW!
Q: What were LTW's biggest achievements in January?
A: We are excited to announce our partnership with
Somocom Lab to enhance our students' confidence, resilience, and communication skills. By equipping youth with these essential skills now, we prepare them to navigate various space more effectively than peers who have not gone through the program.
Additionally, we introduced Lean Six Sigma (LSS) training sessions across our partner schools! LSS is a collaborative methodology aimed at improving performance by reducing waste and variation. Early exposure to these principles sets our students on a path to success.
Looking ahead, we're collaborating with the Columbus Zoo to introduce students to career opportunities beyond food stands and animal clean up. Broadening our students' perspectives on available professions is central to our mission.
Q: What are LTW's key goals for 2025, and how will they impact students and families?
A: Our top priority is enhancing parental and community engagement. With this in mind, we are hosting a Coat and Shoe Drive on Monday, February 24th, from 5:00-7:00 pm at Lead The Way. We aim to maximize the use of our Community Impact Center, an amazing resource for our community.
Another big goal is promoting the social and emotional learning of our youth and families. We're collaborating with Licensed Social Worker Amber Harris's "Bridging the Gaps" program at Groveport High School. This workshop series promises incredible benefits for our families.
Q: Have there been any significant program updates or expansions that stakeholders should know about?
A: Yes, we're actively involved with Groveport Madison's Cruiser Excel credit recovery program, which offers non-traditional educational options.
We're also organizing an HBCU East Coast bus tour in partnership with Winston Scott.
We have also established a new partnership with Anthony King to take students to Chicago for visits to Northwestern University and the University of Illinois-Chicago. During this trip, students will engage in community service at a local food bank. We believe that exposing our youth to environments beyond Columbus broadens their horizons and inspires them to think big.
Q: How has the Inspireducation integration enhanced LTW's mission and services so far?
A: The integration with Inspireducation has significantly strengthened our capacity to serve our youth. This year, we're maintaining program continuity to ensure a smooth transition. The staff joining us from Inspireducation have been exceptional—open-minded, eager to contribute, and appreciative of LTW’s resources.
Q: What new opportunities does Inspireducation bring for students, and how can families take advantage of them?
A: Inspireducation has introduced college readiness programs to schools that previously lacked access to such resources. This integration has also enabled us to offer new workforce development opportunities at Cornerstone Academy. Students have enrolled in State Tested Nursing Assistant (STNA) programs, and we have an upcoming field trip to the Independent Electrical Contractors to explore apprenticeship programs.
Q: What feedback have you received from students or educators about Inspireducation's impact?
A: School staff are enthusiastic about the new college readiness initiatives, especially in areas where such programming was previously unavailable. The integration with Inspireducation stemmed from a desire to enhance our expertise in college readiness without overextending our existing staff. Initially, we considered a partnership, but mutual discussions revealed a shared vision, leading both boards to agree on a full integration. Now unified, we're actively planning programs for the upcoming year.
Q: What message would you like to share with students, parents, and partners as we move into the new year?
A: To our students: seize the opportunities we offer. At 16-18 years old, it's crucial to proactively explore programs that align with your interests. Decisions made now can profoundly influence your future quality of life. Begin contemplating how you'll support yourself post-high school.
To parents: stay attentive to communications from our coaches. We offer numerous programs designed to benefit your children; staying informed ensures they don't miss out on valuable experiences.
To our partners: your continued engagement is invaluable. Whether through time, resources, or services, your support enriches our community. Our relationships with students are reciprocal; we learn from them as much as they learn from us.
Collectively, let's remain active, involved, and make the most of the resources available to us.
* Dylan Hill spoke about how he did the STNA and phlebotomy programming, and how he is able to take advantage of all the resources that LTW has to offer, check out the full version of the video on the Lead The Way website.
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