Staff Report
A group of Navigo Scholars are participating in a special collaborative program that is giving them a unique experience capitalizing on their interest in the environment.
NaviGo College and Career Prep Services, Northern Kentucky’s Sanitation District No. 1 (SDI), Skyward and the Northern Kentucky Education Council have partnered to make the value-added program available to 13 high school juniors from Bellevue, Dayton, Holmes, Ludlow, Newport and Walton-Verona High School.
The students meet monthly to explore environmental science topics and potential careers.
“They are a tightly knit group who have a great time together,” said Stephanie Layton of Navigo.
The students meeting this month took place at Newport Aquarium where they got some hands-on engagement — and the advantage of staff expertise in art, psychology and communication as well as environmental issues related to water quality and environment effects on aquatic life.
Tim Hanner, retired superintendent of Kenton County Schools, founded NaviGo ago as a career prep program for high schoolers who, he believed, needed some extra help in career exploration and hands-on experience. Through sponsors like Toyota, Duke Energy,Heritage Bank, Mazak and others, Navigo connects students with mentors — and with experiences.
The Navigo Scholars program also connects students who qualify with special experiences like this one focused on the environment that is creating a unique partnership involving four organizations and multiple school systems.
The environmental program itself was the brainchild of Skyward President Bill Scheyer, growing out of the myNKY regional plan to “help our community thrive.”
Along with Skyward, Hanner’s Navigo and the Northern Kentucky Education Council are exploring similar collaborative efforts with other regional employers.
Navigo itself aims to “Empower Students for Life,” exposing them to career options, assisting in choosing postsecondary institutions, financial aid and grants — all the things other post-secondary programs and school counselors might do. But the difference, says Hanner, is in the connection to future employers and to workforce needs.
“We want students to have real, viable options beyond high school,” says Hanner.
The partnership with SD1 is the first of its kind.
“It’s a kind of ‘honors program’ for juniors and seniors,” says Hanner. “SD1 has been phenomenal from the professionals brought in to review the student applications to its direct engagement with students.”
SD1 has a need for graduates skilled in environmental science, Hanner said.
“We want to create a pipeline that leads back to Northern Kentucky,” he said, “all while helping young people realize their dreams.”
