Kathy Oren Retires as President, CEO of the Community Education Coalition

Kathy Oren, a respected leader in education and workforce development, has announced her retirement as President and CEO of the Community Education Coalition (CEC), effective December 31, 2024. For nearly 12 years, Oren has dedicated herself to strengthening the education-to-employment pipeline through innovative collaboration with community, education, and business partners.

During Oren’s tenure, the CEC team, working alongside education, employer, and community partners, has contributed to numerous impactful initiatives. Under her leadership, the coalition:

• Earned national designations such as the Lumina Talent Hub and 21st Century Talent Region, underscoring
• CEC's leadership in workforce alignment.
• Gained national recognition for initiatives like TuFuturo, honored by Excelencia in Education, which contributed to
• Director Luz Elena Michel’s receipt of the Indiana Human Rights Commission Trailblazer Award in 2020.
• Launched the AirPark Columbus College Campus branding and website, elevating the campus's visibility and resources. Introduced The Bridge and The Landing initiatives to support student success and workforce integration, and expanded student housing on campus.
• Introduced Umoja Unity: Black and Black-Biracial Youth initiatives and strengthened Early Learning
• Coalition initiatives by establishing dedicated leadership.
• Secured funding partnerships with prominent organizations, including Lumina Foundation, Strada Education Foundation, Cummins Foundation, Early Learning Indiana, Indiana Commission for Higher Education, and others.

These accomplishments exemplify Kathy’s leadership in assembling and empowering a team of servant leaders dedicated to strengthening the education-to-employment system in the region.

"It has been a gift to have the pleasure of serving the Community Education Coalition," said Oren. "I am deeply grateful to our team, our partners, and the Columbus community for their collaboration and commitment to the mission of increasing educational success for all learners. While I will miss the work, I am excited to see Jim Roberts bring his extensive K-12 experience and relationships to take the organization to the next level in service to students and our regional economy. It’s been my privilege to serve with an incredible team of caring professionals doing work that truly makes a difference for our community."

The CEC Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Dr. Jim Roberts, current Vice President of the Community Education Coalition, will step into the role of President and CEO following Kathy Oren’s retirement. Dr. Roberts, a seasoned education leader and former Superintendent of Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation, brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to the coalition’s mission.

Dr. Roberts shared his gratitude: "It is an incredible honor to succeed Kathy Oren and to continue building on the legacy of CEC. I look forward to working with our partners to deepen the impact of our many student-focused initiatives and to shape a bright future for the learners and families of our community.”

Jack Hess, President and Co-Founder of CivicLab, stated: "Kathy Oren has redefined collaboration in our community. Her ability to align education, business, and civic partners while leveraging shared resources has created a lasting legacy of systems-level change.'"

Reinhold Hill, Vice Chancellor and Dean at Indiana University Columbus, highlighting the impact of Kathy’s contributions to the AirPark Columbus College Campus, shared: "Kathy’s partnership and advocacy have been instrumental in expanding the resources and opportunities on the AirPark Columbus College Campus. Her legacy will continue to inspire innovation in education and workforce development."

Cindy Frey, President of the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, shared: “Kathy's insightful leadership and servant spirit have transformed our community. Her calm, competent, and collaborative approach has united diverse stakeholders to tackle complex challenges, leaving a lasting legacy in education and workforce development. Her visionary efforts will continue to impact businesses and generations of Indiana residents.”