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Buckeye Bridge connects Columbus State to Ohio State

Student News | Monday, August 10, 2026

President Harrison addresses attendees at a Buckeye Bridge kickoff event at Ohio State University. They included members of the first cohort of the Buckeye Bridge initiative – a partnership between Columbus State and Ohio State.

Above, Columbus State President David Harrison addresses attendees at a Buckeye Bridge kickoff event at Ohio State University. They included members of the first cohort of the Buckeye Bridge initiative – a partnership between Columbus State and Ohio State. Read the story from OSU.

A Buckeye Bridge kickoff event was held on the Ohio State University Campus on Aug. 3. A student panel included Columbus State graduate and current Ohio State student Barbara Steward-Goins. Her story:

When I first started my journey at Ohio State University about a year ago, I wrote about what it felt like to step into this new chapter. Now, looking back on my transition, I realize how important it is to share the reality of what it means to be a non-traditional student on campus today. 

My path to OSU wasn’t the standard high school-to-college route. I am 48 years old, a wife, a mother, and a proud young grandmother. I am also a transfer student from Columbus State Community College, a social work major, and a fully online learner. Navigating a massive university like Ohio State under these circumstances brings a unique set of challenges, triumphs, and adjustments that differ greatly from the traditional campus experience. 

My ultimate goal is to become a school social worker, helping the next generation navigate their own life challenges. I am moving closer to that dream every day, and this upcoming fall I will start my official internship with Jewish Family Services to gain critical, hands-on experience in the field.

 Even though my classes are online, I have found ways to truly embed myself in the university culture. I am a proud member of the co-ed honor fraternity Phi Sigma Pi through its Ohio State chapter. Balancing family, school, fraternity events, and preparation for an intensive community internship requires immense determination and time management. 

I am sharing my story because transfer students, online learners, and older students with families make up a vital part of the OSU community, yet our experiences are not always highlighted. I want to shed light on what this transition is truly like, offer encouragement to others walking a similar path, and show that it is never too late to chase your purpose.

 

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