Garrabrant joins the team to foster connection and collaboration among students, campus career center staff, and corporations to ensure a strong talent pipeline in Ohio.

Melanie Garrabrant, Manager of Business Partnerships

The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) announces the appointment of Melanie Garrabrant as Manager of Business Partnerships, a new role for OFIC under the strategic theme of Talent for Ohio.

Garrabrant will work closely with OFIC President Bill Spiker and members of the OFIC team to cultivate engagement and relationships with students, OFIC campus career center staff, and business and industry partners. Engaging resources and interactive career events will encourage connectivity and partnerships to foster growth of the next generation of talent for Ohio’s growing economy.

With a strategic focus on forging partnerships between member campuses and corporate Ohio, The Ohio Foundation of Independent College’s (OFIC) Talent for Ohio initiative is set to boost the trajectory of student success while addressing critical workforce needs. Rooted in a deep understanding of the potential that graduates bring to the table, Talent for Ohio emerges as a compelling pillar of OFIC's ambitious three-year strategic plan.

At the heart of this initiative lies a profound recognition of the power of partnerships. Bill Spiker, President of OFIC, emphasized that while OFIC has been focused on its fundraising efforts over its 73-year history, the organization is now set to expand its mission by partnering with member campuses to forge lasting career and philanthropic connections with the corporate landscape of Ohio.

“The initiative is grounded in the belief that graduates from member campuses represent a wealth of potential, which can be harnessed to benefit students, businesses, and the state,” Spiker said.

The updated vision and mission statements of OFIC reflect this intentional expansion with the Talent for Ohio initiative serving as a new opportunity for corporate Ohio and OFIC students. Spiker noted, “While our traditional focus on scholarship fundraising remains unwavering, the strategic plan introduces pathways to internships, part-time jobs and full-time career opportunities to support OFIC students and Ohio's economy.”

Introducing Our New Manager of Business Partnerships, Melanie Garrabrant

In the newly created position, Melanie Garrabrant will be responsible for orchestrating these connections, helping to align students with corporations seeking talented individuals. This role will create a powerful synergy that not only addresses immediate workforce needs but also lays the foundation for a sustainable and thriving economy in Ohio.

With Ohio's unemployment rate at an all-time low, Spiker noted that the demand for bachelor-degreed talent has never been greater. “This presents a unique opportunity for OFIC and its member campuses to provide students with targeted career-readiness modules, named TalentedU; giving them a competitive edge in a highly dynamic job market,” he said. “Melanie’s contributions will help shape the future of our students and ultimately strengthen Ohio's workforce. Her depth of student engagement experience will make a real difference in the lives of these young professionals, guiding them towards a prosperous and fulfilling future.”

Learn more about TalentedU

About Melanie

With over a decade of leadership experience in higher education in the areas of enrollment and academics, Melanie Garrabrant brings a wide breadth of experience connecting college students to careers. In her most recent role as a Dean of Arts and Sciences at Central Ohio Technical College (COTC), Garrabrant collaborated with business and industry professionals and faculty to assess and align academic curriculum to ensure students were acquiring the knowledge and skills needed for their career pursuits. Additionally, as a former Director of Admissions, Garrabrant developed and implemented events to promote academic majors and inform students about career opportunities, often including business and industry professionals in those events to directly connect students and employers.

Garrabrant also has years of experience as an adjunct instructor. She holds a Master of Arts in Rhetoric and Writing from The University of Findlay, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies from Capital University, both OFIC member campuses. She has taught courses in composition, literature, and research methods both in person and online. Teaching affords Garrabrant opportunities to gain first-hand insight from students about their college experience and aspirations.

Excited and honored to fill a new role, Garrabrant looks forward to working with the OFIC team, its 33 member campuses, and business partners. Welcome, Melanie!

OFIC connects students across 33 member campuses with Ohio’s top corporations and foundations to make the dream of completing their bachelor’s degree a reality through scholarships, internships, and career opportunities. Learn more at ofic.org.