From Columbus State to Nationwide: The power of networking

Campus News | Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Above, left to right, Phil Pennino, vice president of Finance at Nationwide; KiRon Anderson, Columbus State graduate and Ohio State student; and Duane Donaldson, Columbus State assistant professor. 

A student-centered club spearheaded by a faculty member is beginning to pay dividends for Columbus State students.

Assistant Professor Duane Donaldson unveiled The Business Community in 2024 with the assistance of Phil Pennino, vice president of Finance at Nationwide. The club is open to any student and is designed to help them discover career pathways and opportunities through interactions with faculty and, more importantly, external business leaders in Central Ohio. Teaching students how to navigate their way to the working world after college is their focus.

KiRon Anderson is an early success story of The Business Community. “I learned about The Business Community in Spring 2025 through Professor Diahn Hevel. She told us about an upcoming networking event and shared a flyer that included the professionals who would be attending,” said Anderson. “Once I saw the list of professionals, I decided to research them beforehand and prepare questions. I wanted to make the most of the opportunity and their time. As a student who was still learning about the business world, I saw it as a chance to gain insight from people who had already established themselves in their careers.”

Anderson’s pre-event actions noted above were an initial goal of Business Professor Donaldson when he envisioned the club. “I want students to learn about the options their chosen career path offers in today’s world, and how to network and develop mentorships before they begin their careers,” said Donaldson. “That’s a vital part of career advancement.”

That first event for Anderson was eye-opening. “I attended and was blown away by how genuine and supportive everyone was. The professionals were willing to answer questions, share their experiences, and offer advice,” said Anderson.

While he graduated from Columbus State in 2025 with an Associate of Arts in Business, the connections and mentorships he developed then continue to pay off as he majors in accounting at Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business.  

At that first Columbus State event, Anderson met Mike Johnson and Jennifer Owens from Nationwide, two professionals he would eventually reconnect with. “One of the biggest lessons I took away was the importance of being intentional about networking and maintaining relationships,” said Anderson. “I learned that networking isn’t just about meeting someone, exchanging contact information, and hoping they can get you a job someday.” 

Fast-forward to 2026 when he decided to reach out again to Owens and Johnson at Nationwide to ask about internship opportunities. “Those connections helped me learn more about the company’s internship program and eventually led me through the application and interview process. Jennifer Owens provided information, shared application details, offered advice, and even offered to review my resume.”

And it all led to an internship offer at Nationwide, which is taking place during Autumn Semester 2026. 

“When I first started at Columbus State, I really didn’t know much about the business world. As a first-generation college student, there were a lot of things about college and professional development that I was learning as I went,” said Anderson. “Programs like The Business Community help bridge that gap. It reminds me of something that Professor Donaldson said: “Networking is like purchasing the fast pass at an amusement park. You laid the groundwork before, so now when doors open up you have an advantage.’”

Donaldson said, “KiRon is a prime example of what I want students to learn while they are here at the college. When you begin exploring and advancing into your career field, learning to be comfortable is half the battle. The more you practice, the better you'll get. Then, knowing how to advance your goals into your career field(s) is how you “learn to fish” for a lifetime. Learning to truly connect with the ‘people with the paychecks’ is a vital skill that is learned. We don’t normally teach this organically in the classroom, but we can, and we should. Our students deserve our best.”

“Looking back, networking and mentorship have been some of the most important parts of my college journey,” said Anderson. “I can honestly say that I wouldn’t be where I am today without people who took the time to invest in me, the many professors and the business professionals at Nationwide.

Anderson has clear advice for students: “Take initiative, come prepared, ask questions, follow up, and stay curious. You should always be willing to learn. And you don’t have to have everything figured out to start creating opportunities for yourself.”

 

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