September 2026 Newsletter
"Welcoming new members and new ideas to our OCDA community"
Message from OCDA President, Rachel Richardson
September is the month where we officially transition from summer to fall, and when Ohio continues to give us warm days and evenings filled with daylight to enjoy! As the seasons change, it’s quite fitting to acknowledge distinct transitions also taking place within OCDA.
If you happen to be new to OCDA, I encourage you to get connected early! I highly recommend checking out this newsletter as it’s a quick read and offers a concise overview of upcoming events, webinars and ways to engage. Speaking of new members, I’d like to give a special welcome to new OCDA board members, Dr. Justin Edwards, Dr. Austin Raines, Sara Molski, and Nathan Titkemeyer! Look for more information and full board bios on our website coming soon!
A round of applause and demonstration of appreciation is most definitely in order for outgoing board members, Richard Fajardo, Anna-Kaye Rowe, and Ryan Wilhelm. Individually, they’ve made unique contributions to our organization over the years, and their service will continue to have a lasting impact for many more to come.
Having shared that, I’m also pleased to present to our OCDA membership the 2026-2027 Executive Committee:
Past President: Kaleigh Mahon
President Elect: Erin Liggett
President Elect-Elect: Felicia Wethington
Secretary: Alicia Camak
Treasurer: Calvin Wagner
Member at Large: Angie McGinnis
President: Rachel Richardson
There were no other declared candidates for the above officer positions that would require elections, and any feedback or reservations regarding the executive committee may be shared with ohiocda@gmail.com and/or myself at Richardson.607@osu.edu.
Lastly, I’m pleased to announce the 2026-2027 OCDA Committee Chairpersons, as evaluated by our Past-President and President-Elect, and appointed by me, our President:
Archives Co-Chairs: Taylor Lincicome, Michelle Norris
Awards Co-Chairs: Angie McGinnis, TBC (please reach out if interested in serving in this capacity)
By-Laws Co-Chairs: Calvin Wagner, Christine Yancey
Government Relations Co-Chairs: Sarah JanTausch, Newton Kimberly
Membership Chair: Nathan Titkemeier
Membership Engagement Co-Chairs: Marie Nicks, Christine Yancey
National Career Development Month Co-Chairs: Sara Molski, Felicia Wethington
Newsletter Chair: Ryana Munford
Professional Development Co-Chairs: Dr. Justin Edwards, Sarah Grace McCollough
Social Media Co-Chairs: Erin Liggett, Kaleigh Mahon
Website Co-Chairs: Kaleigh Mahon, Dr. Austin Raines
It is truly an honor to lead this team of caring and quite talented individuals who work together in the most collaborative and impactful ways. Spotlights highlighting the great work being done by many members in our field are on the horizon!
Sincerely,
Rachel Richardson
President, OCDA
New Faces, New Perspectives
What's on Your Career Development Radar?
A new year brings new conversations, challenges, and opportunities across the career development field. As we welcome new members and new perspectives to the OCDA community, we want to hear from you, too!
What topics, trends, and challenges are on your career development radar this year?
Take our quick poll and help us identify topics and resources to highlight in future OCDA newsletters.
Take Poll
Welcome New Members!
Our OCDA community continues to grow! We’re excited to welcome our newest members and the experiences, perspectives, and ideas they bring to our career development community.
NCDM Member Spotlight: Celebrating Our OCDA Community
This NCDM, we’re shining a spotlight on the incredible members who make the OCDA community so special! Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting OCDA members and celebrating the meaningful contributions they’ve made to our field.
Know an OCDA member who deserves a spotlight? Nominate them! Click "nominate" to tell us about someone who is making an impact and helping make our field stronger.
Join us in celebrating our colleagues, learning more about the amazing work happening across OCDA, and bringing some extra fun and energy to NCDM!
Nominate
Connected Career Rounds
Enrollment is now open for Connected Career Rounds for the 2026-2027 school year. Educators are invited to have their middle and high school students join teams of Cleveland Clinic professionals to learn about the career journeys that landed them face-to-face with today’s most challenging healthcare issues.
Each session includes a caregiver team, whose members discuss their career paths and how they provide care around a specific health topic. The sessions also provide valuable information about the depicted careers such as average income, education requirements and expected 10-year job growth. At the end of each live session, students have the opportunity to ask the caregivers any questions they may have.
Can't make it to a live session? Students and teachers can also access on-demand recordings of past sessions, plus other valuable career exploration resources, by visiting the Connected Career Rounds website.
Teachers and other school professionals: If you are interested in participating in live Connected Career Rounds sessions, please register your class today. Once registered, you will receive RSVP emails one week before each live session so you can save a spot for your class.
Questions? Please contact CYCE@ccf.org.
Register for Live Sessions
Access On-Demand Sessions
Learn More About the Center for Youth and College Education
Government Relations Updates
Pulse on Ohio
Government Relations Committee Update
Committee News
The Government Relations Committee recently applied for an advocacy grant through the National Career Development Association to expand opportunities for OCDA’s members. We are eagerly awaiting NCDA’s decision on grant awards and will know more by the end of September.
One bill that we are keeping a keen eye on this September is House Bill 994, which focuses on Ohio’s Education and Workforce specifically the bill aims to create a category dubbed, “qualified education partnerships” between universities and employers. This, in essence, is where private business significantly contributes to the development of degrees/certifications that would meet the needs of the workforce in the area. In return, these businesses receive tax credit incentives up to 20% of qualifying expenses from the state and more for talent hiring rates. These businesses, however, must attain a completion rate of 70% or higher for the developed program. Another caveat to this bill, and important to note, private businesses cannot have full dictation or accreditation within the content they help create, nor can they be the only business to benefit from the degree or certification. Universities would still retain that process of proper accreditations and educational responsibilities.
Last month, we covered Senate Bill 328. The bill has been passed by the Senate but is still in committee in the House. We will continue to monitor that piece of legislation as well. In the meantime, if you’d like to read our coverage on the bill, visit the OCDA Pulse on Ohio newsfeed.
Legislative information is current as of September 15, 2026. The GRC will continue to monitor HB 994 and other legislation affecting career development and Ohio’s workforce.
How Your Voice Matters in Public Policy
Policy decisions often move quickly, and legislators need to hear from the professionals who understand their real-world impact. When they hear from those of us working in these spaces, they listen, learn, and legislate from those conversations. The GRC will continue monitoring legislation, connecting with policymakers and stakeholders, and identifying opportunities for OCDA members to participate in advocacy to the betterment of fellow Ohioans. We also will continue our collaboration with NCDA’s Government Relations Committee to stay informed about federal policy developments as they come.
Have you encountered a policy issue in your work that you think OCDA should be watching? Have a question about a bill or want to become more involved in advocacy? Learn more about the Government Relations Committee.
This issue of Pulse on Ohio was authored by Connor Thomas, a member of the OCDA Government Relations Committee.
Want to get more involved with OCDA?
Learn about available OCDA Board positions for the 2026-2027 term, as well as how to get involved with OCDA's committees.
Get Involved!
College Central Network
OCDA's 2026 Conference Gold Level Sponsor
College Central Network
Connecting Students, Career Services, and Employers
For more than 30 years, College Central Network has helped colleges and universities connect students and alumni with career opportunities while providing career services professionals with tools to support career readiness and employer engagement. Through innovative technology and partnership, College Central Network helps bridge the gap between education and employment.
Contact ohiocda@gmail.com if you or your organization would like to help sponsor a future OCDA conference!
If you have any ideas for membership email content, please email Co-Chairs Ryana Munford at munford.2@osu.edu & Taylor Lincicome at tslocum924@gmail.com.
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