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County approves $250,214 grant for Global Scholars diploma program; alum praises impact
Summary
The Board approved a three‑year, $250,214.71 grant to the Columbus Council on World Affairs to support the Global Scholars Diploma program serving about 1,200 students across 19 districts; a program alum described leadership development and community projects the program enabled.
Franklin County commissioners approved a three‑year grant agreement worth $250,214.71 on July 7 to support the Global Scholars Diploma program run by the Columbus Council on World Affairs.
Perla Martinez, deputy director of the Office of Economic Engagement and Community Development, said the program serves approximately 1,200 high‑school students across 19 central high‑school districts and expands internship and alumni engagement pathways. "This initiative advances the goals of the Rise Together poverty blueprint," Martinez said, linking the program to workforce and youth engagement priorities.
Hannah Meyer, chief operating officer of the Columbus Council on World Affairs, introduced alumnus Imani Kandy Akita. Akita described the program as transformational: "Through Global Scholars diploma program, I stepped outside the classroom and into my community," she said, and recounted a take‑action documentary project amplifying immigrant students' experiences.
The board moved for approval and recorded unanimous affirmative votes from Commissioners Crawley, Boyce and O'Grady; Resolution 46926 was adopted. The agreement expands cohort programming, adds an internship pathway and grows alumni engagement; specific partner commitments and the schedule for the internship pathway were not specified at the meeting.
