A Launchpad for Success: KeyBank Scholars Prepare for Central State 

Central State University celebrated the second cohort of KeyBank Scholars during a closing ceremony July 9, marking the completion of a five-week summer program designed to prepare incoming students for academic, professional and personal success.

The KeyBank Scholars Program provides scholarship support to help address students’ financial gaps while offering professional development, career exploration, networking opportunities and connections with KeyBank corporate leaders and community professionals.

For the students who participated in the second cohort, the program became an opportunity to build confidence, develop relationships and establish a foundation for their college experience before the start of the fall semester.

Finding a home at Central State

For many of the scholars, the summer experience helped transform Central State from a new campus into a home away from home. Through shared experiences and new friendships, students became more comfortable stepping outside their comfort zones and connecting with the people around them. The result was a growing sense of confidence as they prepared to begin their college journey.

Incoming freshman Business Administration student Saamir Sain, who plans to concentrate in finance, chose Central State because he wanted the HBCU experience while remaining close to his home in Michigan.

“I wanted to get the HBCU feel and also be close to home,” Sain said. “Central State was the closest one to me and afforded me a lot of benefits with scholarship dollars.” 

Incoming freshman Social Work student MaKenzye Hopkins said she chose Central State because she wanted to be surrounded by people who shared her cultural experiences.

“I wanted a chance to be immersed in my culture and be around like-minded people who looked like me,” Hopkins said.

Building professional connections

A key component of the KeyBank Scholars experience was providing students with opportunities to envision themselves in professional settings and learn from individuals working in a variety of careers.

One of the program’s most significant experiences came when students met with KeyBank corporate representatives from areas including banking and law. The experience helped students see the organization in a new way and understand how their academic interests could connect to future career opportunities.

The scholars also engaged with entrepreneurs and professionals from the community, giving them opportunities to build their networks and envision themselves in similar professional roles after graduation.

Natasha Martin, KeyBank vice president of corporate responsibility and community relations officer for Southwest and Central Ohio, said she witnessed the scholars’ professional growth firsthand throughout the program.
 
Martin recalled meeting the students during their first week and later observing them during a speed networking event in the second week. She said she was impressed as students confidently asked professionals for their business cards and engaged them with thoughtful questions.

“I am so proud of you all,” Martin told the scholars during the closing ceremony. “All I expect from you guys now is just to flourish, and I can see it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
 

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Finding their voices
 

In addition to career preparation, the program challenged students to grow personally and develop communication skills.

Both Sain and Hopkins said they gained confidence in their ability to communicate and connect with others — a skill they did not initially expect to develop during the summer.
 

“Back at home, I usually kind of keep to myself,” Sain said. “But really getting to know a lot of people and talking to them” became one of the most valuable skills he developed. “I networked with some pretty cool people and look forward to keeping that connection throughout the school year.”

The students’ growth reflected the broader purpose of the program: helping incoming freshmen become more confident, connected and prepared for their transition to college.

A selective opportunity

The KeyBank Scholars Program is designed to select 40 students over multiple years. For the second cohort, 18 students were selected from more than 100 applicants.

The selection process considers students’ high school performance, recommendations from counselors, mentors and other important figures in their lives, and their potential to become leaders and stewards of Central State.

During the closing ceremony, Adrienne Byrd, Director of Strategic Programs for the Undergraduate Student Success Center, reminded the scholars of the significance of being selected and encouraged them to carry the confidence they developed during the summer into the academic year ahead. She also acknowledged that the transition to college will bring challenges while encouraging students to rely on the support systems available to them at Central State.

“I would not lie to you and say that everything is going to be easy because it’s not. But lean on us. We are your support system. We are your village.”

Looking ahead to the fall

As the students prepare to begin their first semester, they carry with them the lessons, relationships and experiences gained through the program. Sain said he is most excited about the independence and responsibility that comes with beginning college.

“I’m ready to be on my own, start moving on my own and be held with that responsibility,” he said.
Hopkins said she is looking forward to continuing her personal growth while enjoying her freshman year.

“I’m excited to continue learning more about myself and to just enjoy my freshman year,” she said. As the second cohort of KeyBank Scholars prepares to begin its Central State experience, the students leave the summer program with a greater understanding of their potential and the community that stands behind them.

“Do not underestimate your impact to Central, to yourselves, to the world,” Byrd told the scholars during the closing ceremony. “Bring your authentic, genuine self to everything that you do. This is what the world needs — your uniqueness.”