Columbus leaders launch Phase 2 of Columbus Promise with $25 million goal; Cardinal Health pledges $2 million

At an event at Fort Hayes Arts and Academic High School, city, school and college leaders announced Phase 2 of the Columbus Promise, a $25,000,000 fundraising effort to extend tuition-free pathways to Columbus State Community College for graduating classes of 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Superintendent Dr. Angela Chapman of Columbus City Schools said the expansion will not only cover tuition but also strengthen academic supports and career pathways, including additional math and English help and expanded internship and workforce opportunities. "The Columbus Promise is working, and the best is yet to come," Chapman said.

The Columbus Promise launched in 2021 and, speakers said, has increased enrollments from Columbus City Schools to Columbus State from roughly 300 students a year to more than 800. Officials said 850 students transitioned to Columbus State last year and that the college-going rate from Columbus City Schools rose to 50 percent in 2023 from about 32 percent in the immediate post-pandemic period. Officials also cited rising term-to-term persistence at Columbus State from about 69 percent to 75 percent.

Council President Shannon Harden framed the program as both an education and workforce strategy, saying that expanding opportunity is essential if Central Ohio is to compete for incoming employers. "If the folks raised here in our neighborhoods and educated here in our schools don't have the skills to fill those jobs, then what are we doing?" Harden said.

Katina Follin of I Know I Can described Phase 2 as a fundraising and partnership effort, asking attendees and local leaders to help raise the remaining funds. "With this $25,000,000 investment, we are extending the opportunity to the following three cohorts," Follin said, urging private-sector and philanthropic partners to contribute.

At the event, Jerome Rebusch, who identified himself as a member of the Cardinal Health Foundation board and a trustee at Columbus State Community College, announced an additional $2,000,000 commitment from the Cardinal Health Foundation. "We are announcing this morning continued commitment in the next phase of this effort, of an additional investment of $2,000,000 from the Cardinal Health Foundation," Rebusch said.

Dr. David Harrison, president of Columbus State Community College, said the college and partners have been building supports year over year and described Phase 2 as an opportunity to move the effort from a project toward a sustainable program. He noted existing pathways that can lead from Columbus State to debt-free bachelor's degrees through transfer and partner pathways.

Philanthropist Jeff Edwards and companies such as IGS were thanked onstage as returning lead donors. Mayor Andrew Ginther praised the public-private partnership and noted that the city has committed funding to the program; he also credited Council President Harden and school leadership for shepherding the effort.

Speakers emphasized that Phase 2 goes beyond tuition assistance: the plan includes academic supports, career exposure, and hands-on learning to increase student success in college and the workforce. Organizers said the three cohorts alone represent at least 2,250 additional students who could access Columbus State tuition-free under the proposed funding.

Event organizers closed by inviting one-on-one questions and additional private conversations with potential donors; no formal votes or legislative actions were taken at the event.