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Columbus State to celebrate largest-ever graduating class

Campus News | Tuesday, May 12, 2026

Nearly half of the 1,400-plus Spring 2026 graduates are entering in-demand career fields in the Central Ohio workforce 

On Friday, May 15, Columbus State Community College will honor its largest graduating class in institutional history, conferring degrees upon more than 1,400 students. This record-breaking Spring 2026 class represents a more than 10% year-over-year increase in graduates and is the college’s first class to exceed 1,400 petitions to graduate.

Nearly half of the graduating class—over 700—are entering high-growth sectors, including healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing, and construction and skilled trades. In addition to representing the college’s largest-ever class, the Spring 2026 cohort also represents a significant increase in graduations with honors: a 22.5% increase in honors recipients year-over-year. 

“Our graduates change the world. It’s an honor to celebrate this record-setting class,” said Columbus State President David Harrison. “These graduates will be leaders in healthcare, manufacturing, construction, AI, and many other fields. They will thrive in their bachelor’s degree programs at our partner universities. I can’t wait to see what they do next.”  

High-demand graduates by the numbers 

  • Advanced manufacturing: 105 graduates, a 67% year-over-year increase. 
  • IT: 162 graduates, a 27% year-over-year increase. 
  • Health and human services: 392 graduates, a 9.5% year-over-year increase. 
  • Construction and skilled trades: 102 graduates, an 8.5% year-over-year increase. 

Transfer outcomes 

Columbus State’s more than 600 Spring transfer graduates include 205 students who are earning Associate of Science degrees – a degree typically used to pursue a STEM bachelor’s degree at partner universities. Overall, the college has seen more than 15.2% year-over-year growth among Associate of Science graduates.  Associate of Arts graduates also increased slightly, by just under 2% year-over-year. 

Columbus State’s Spring graduates will be the college’s first able to take advantage of the new Buckeye Bridge transfer partnership with The Ohio State University, which offers tuition-free completion of an Ohio State bachelor’s degree to in-state Columbus State graduates with household incomes of less than $100,000. Approximately 250 students within the graduating class have applied to be a part of Buckeye Bridge. 

Spring commencement also includes the largest number of Columbus Promise Scholars since the tuition-free college access program for Columbus City Schools high school graduates launched in 2022. More than 430 students have graduated through the Promise program to date.  

Graduate voices 

Ava Zellers, 20, is earning an associate degree in electro-mechanical engineering technology and will transfer to Miami University to begin working on her bachelor’s degree in the advanced manufacturing field. Her mom graduated from Columbus State, which initially attracted her to the college.  

Through the college’s Modern Manufacturing Work Study program, Zellers has worked at biotechnology manufacturing giant Amgen as part of her degree studies. She said, “Columbus State didn’t just prepare me. It transformed me. The college also gave me opportunities I never expected so early in my career. I earned a semiconductor certificate, a Python (programming language) micro‑credential, and served as a student ambassador of the Future Technicians Learning Community.” 

Kyle Ziringer, 20, is earning an Associate of Applied Science in construction management and will transfer to Ohio State to study construction systems management. He attended Tolles Career and Technical Center for construction during high school, where he developed skills in carpentry and construction while also earning college credits. 

“While I always thought I would attend The Ohio State University, when I toured the campus, I felt overwhelmed by its size and the large lecture-style classrooms,” he said. “When I visited Columbus State, it immediately felt like the right fit. I appreciated the smaller class sizes, the more personal learning environment, and the affordable tuition.” 

Ziringer earned a 4.0 GPA, was on the Dean’s List every semester, and was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. In addition to his construction management degree, he plans to minor in business administration, toward his long-term goal of owning a construction company. 
 
Jessica Fox, 41, entered the supply chain industry and quickly fell in love with its complexity, deciding to further her education in the field. After a unique personal journey, she is graduating with her Associate of Applied Science in supply chain management. 

“In the summer of 2022, I took a leap of faith and enrolled,” she said. “Over the next four years, life tested me in ways I never could have imagined.” Fox said the college’s options of online, evening, and weekend courses worked with her demanding life. 

In 2024, she was diagnosed with cancer—for the fourth time. “In that moment, I felt the weight of everything crashing down,” said Fox. While she stepped away for a few semesters, she did not give up. “I was done letting life dictate my future. I had too much to fight for: my dreams, my husband, my children, my parents, my brother, and myself.” 

In January 2026, her oncologist said she was cancer-free. “And today, I am achieving a dream I have carried for 23 years,” she said. “I am proving to my children that no matter what life throws at you—illness, fear, setbacks, or doubt—you can still rise.” 

Fox will graduate with an associate degree in supply chain management. 

Thy Hieu Nguyen, 18, will receive her Associate of Science degree weeks before her high school diploma. She began Columbus State classes in 2024 through the College Credit Plus program while still enrolled at Central Crossing High School in Grove City in the South-Western City School district. 

“One of the biggest challenges I faced was balancing high school and college coursework at the same time,” said Nquyen. “Managing this workload required me to change my study habits, stay organized, and develop the discipline needed to succeed in a college environment.” 

Nguyen will transfer to Ohio State to pursue a bachelor's degree in the pre-med track. 

Event details

The Spring 2026 commencement ceremony will take place at the Celeste Center (717 E. 17th Ave.) on Friday, May 15, at 10 a.m. and feature Moody Nolan CEO and Columbus State Foundation Board Chair Jonathan Moody as keynote speaker. 

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