Scholars
NaviGo Scholars: Connecting Industry with Future Talent
NaviGo Scholars connects local businesses with motivated high school students who want to explore real career pathways and build workforce skills. Through this program, students experience hands-on learning, workplace exposure, and personalized coaching to help them make informed decisions about college and careers.
How the Program Works
- Business sponsors partner with NaviGo to engage students interested in their industry.
- Sponsors review student applications and select participants for each Scholars group.
- Groups meet twice monthly—once at the sponsor’s workplace and once on a college campus—giving students exposure to real-world work environments.
- A NaviGo Coach supports students throughout the entire experience by reinforcing workplace expectations, helping develop soft skills, and guiding them in setting career and college goals.
When Are Applications Accepted?
- August: for fall, spring, and year-long groups
- November: for spring-only groups
Current Scholars Opportunities
Below are the available Scholars groups for Spring 2026. Each listing includes who can apply, what students will learn, and where meetings are held. Click the Apply link to submit your application. If you have any questions, please contact Jennie LaMothe at jlamothe@learning-grove.org
Artificial Intelligence/NKU
Sponsor: Eva & Oakley Farris, NKU College of Informatics
Seeking:
- Freshman, Sophomores & Juniors with wide-ranging interests in tech or media
- Limited spots available!
Students will Explore & Experience:
- How to use generative AI tools
- How neural networks and AI systems are built
- How companies use AI in their businesses
- How AI will impact our world
Schedule:
- SPRING group meetst January -April
- Groups meet 2 times a month – Tuesdays, 4:30-6pm
- Meetings will be at Griffin Hall, NKU Campus
Selected students will learn about Artificial Intelligence from NKU faculty and industry professionals from local
companies. Scholars will also have a NaviGo Coach to provide career & college planning.
The BMW Store Automotive Careers
Sponsor: The BMW Store Cincinnati
Seeking:
- Juniors & Seniors with an interest in discovering the full spectrum of automotive careers from sales to service
Students will Explore & Experience:
- Sales Strategies and Planning
- Management of Dealership Operations
- Parts Receiving and Distribution
- Aftersales Customer Service
- Technicians- entry-level to Master
- Training and educational opportunities for the varied career paths
Schedule:
- Spring 2x/month- Thursdays 4-5:30pm from January- April
- Meetings will be held on-site at The BMW Store in Cincinnati, OH and the Edgewood Gateway campus in NKY
Selected students will network with professionals in automotive careers with The BMW Store in Cincinnati. Scholars will also have a NaviGo Coach to provide career & college planning.
Business & Entrepreneurship
Sponsor: NaviGo & NKU
Seeking:
- Sophomores & Juniors with a strong interest in business and entrepreneurship
Students will Explore & Experience:
- Idea Generation
- Business Planning
- Building a Framework
- Marketing
- Managing the Competition
- Growing and Scaling Your Business
Schedule:
- 2 Thursdays a month from 6:30-8pm
- Spring group meets January- April
- On-site at NKU and Gateway Edgewood Campus
Selected students will learn from successful entrepreneurs and creative business leaders. Scholars will also have a NaviGo Coach to provide career & college planning.
Learning Grove Education Careers
Sponsor: Learning Grove
Seeking:
- Sophomores, Juniors & Seniors
- Interest in any level of education from early childhood – elementary- middle- high school- higher education (college level)
Students will Explore & Experience:
- Careers in teaching at various age levels, content areas, and specialties
- Careers in education administration at different levels
- Careers in higher education (college level)
Schedule:
- Meetings will be 2 nights a month
January-April, from 4:30-6:30pm - On-Site at Learning Grove in Covington
(333 Madison Ave, Covington)
Selected students will network with professionals in education from early childhood through college from the NKY region. Scholars will also have a NaviGo Coach to provide career & college planning.
Mental Health Careers
Sponsor: NKCES, Boone Co Fiscal Court, Campbell Co Fiscal Court, Kenton Co Fiscal Court
Seeking:
- Sophomores & juniors with a strong interest in exploring mental health careers
Students will Explore & Experience:
- GROUP 1- focus on social work, addiction counseling, family counseling, pastoral counseling, art therapy
- GROUP 2- focus on psychology (school/private practice), psychiatric services, school counseling
Schedule:
- Choose the Group or Focus Area (Group 1
or 2) - 8 Sessions: (January- April) 4 sessions of NaviGo Coaching focusing on explortation of career and education, and 4 sessions & 4 sessions with mental health professionals in various fields
- Meetings will be held at Edgewood Gateway Campus, Edgewood, KY
Selected students will learn from mental health professionals in various fields. Scholars will also have a NaviGo Coach to provide career & college planning.
Skilled Trades & Construction
Sponsor: Cutter Construction & Building Industry Association
Seeking:
- Freshmen, Sophomores & Juniors with a strong interest in construction and skilled trades.
Students will Explore & Experience:
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Plumbing
- Welding
- Maintenance
- HVAC
Schedule:
- 2x/month 5:30-7pm
- Spring (Jan.-April) meetings on
Wednesday nights - On-Site at Building Industry
Association (2751 Circleport Drive,
Erlanger), Gateway Edgewood
Campus, or other building sites
Selected students will learn from the best in the skilled trades! Scholars will also have a NaviGo Coach to provide career & college planning.
Sponsors
Thank you to our 2024-25 NaviGo Scholars Sponsors & Community Partners:
I want to get involved with NaviGo Scholars!
We are excited to offer local businesses the power to connect with students, guide them down a career path, and boost our local workforce.
“One of the most exciting and powerful aspects of the NaviGo Scholars Program is the inclusion of a corporate career coach in the model. Having a committed individual who can provide timely, real-world knowledge from a professional perspective adds an invaluable dimension to the NaviGo Scholar’s journey of discovery and decision-making.”