The Institute for Innovation & Leadership at Columbus School for Girls will transform modern education. This signature program will house six Centers designed to provide experiential learning opportunities that will augment and accelerate our core curriculum across the school. The Centers will offer original programming, coursework and curricular resources, and access to strategic partnerships in support of our mission. In addition to the incredible Center for Girls' & Young Women’s Leadership, other Centers will include the Center for Global Studies & Citizenship, the Center for Equity & Belonging, the Center for Mathematical Reasoning, the Center for Science Research & Engineering, and the Center for Artistic & Creative Expression. Through these Centers, students will have access to incomparable experiential learning opportunities that will expand their academic excellence, hone in on their skills, and prepare them to become the changemakers of tomorrow.
There is no other educational experience like the Institute for Innovation & Leadership in central Ohio.
From foundational curricula to cutting-edge technology to global experiences, this premier program will not only offer your daughter the chance to develop her talents in a variety of disciplines, but it will also prepare her for life after she graduates from CSG. With exceptional foundational knowledge, advanced studies, and real-world experiences, she will be prepared to stand out in her work after CSG and succeed in the next steps toward her future.
Each Center is designed to empower our students in each of the respective fields of study. From leading in the classroom to performing on the stage to competing in a robotics tournament and more, the Institute offers every girl a chance to discover her distinct potential as a learner and leader.
CENTER FOR MATHEMATICAL REASONING
Parent Education
Math Extension Experiences
Computer Science
CENTER FOR GIRLS' & YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP
Leadership Curriculum
May Program
Special Events
Center for Science Research & Engineering
OSU Research Program
STEM Publications
Environmental Science
Center for Equity & Belonging
DEIB Curriculum
Studies in Social Justice
Leadership & Changemaking
Center for Artistic & Creative Expression
Creative Design Thinking
Performance Experiences
Engineering Imaginative Mindsets
Center for Global Studies & Citizenship
Global Studies Curriculum
Exchange Programs
Global Travel Experiences
Meet the Center Directors
Columbus School for Girls recently announced the six individuals who will serve as Center Directors for the Institute for Innovation & Leadership. The Center Director application process was open to all faculty and staff and those selected for the Center Director positions exhibited the vision, passion and foresight necessary to bring the Institute for Innovation & Leadership to fruition this coming school year.
Director of the Center for Artistic & Creative Expression
Annie Ruefle
As the Director of the Center for Artistic & Creative Expression, Annie looks forward to working with the art and music faculty to define the Center's guiding principles and hopes to connect with alumnae to provide experiential learning opportunities for students. This upcoming school year will be Annie's 38th year as a school librarian and her ninth year at CSG. Annie is a frequent presenter on literacy, library programming, and reading promotion for local, state, and national library conferences. As PYC & Lower School Librarian, Annie moderates book clubs for Forms III, IV, and V and plans and organizes our annual Children's Book Week, among other responsibilities. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and a Master of Arts Degree in English Literature from The Ohio State University.
Director of the Center for Equity & Belonging
Corey Baker
As the Director of the Center for Equity & Belonging, Corey looks forward to embedding DEIB elective experiences in each form across divisions and providing opportunities for speakers and programming that contribute to CSG's culture of belonging. This is Corey's second year at CSG, where he serves as Director of Library Services. Corey also represents the Upper School on the DEIB Committee and serves as the faculty advisor for the Beauty of African American Culture Club. Prior to joining CSG, Corey served as a librarian for both Middle and Upper Schools at multiple grade schools. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Education from Swarthmore College and a Master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Denver.
Director of the Center for Girls & Young Women's Leadership
Dr. Emily Krichbaum
Emily serves as the Director of the Center for Girls' and Young Women's Leadership through which she has led the school in many initiatives and special programs this year. Since the Center launched this past fall, Emily has worked to deliver a variety of programming for students, including an all-school public arts exhibit, A Seat at the Table, in which students showcased the issues about which they felt passionate that has increased awareness of the work we do at CSG to empower girls to discover their distinct potential as learners and leaders. Emily received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Malone University. She went on to earn her Master of Arts Degree in American History and American Women's History and her Doctor of Philosophy Degree in American Women's History from Case Western Reserve University.
Director of the Center for Global Studies & Citizenship
Dr. Betsy Esser
As Director of the Center for Global Studies & Citizenship, Betsy is excited to work with the community to build our global citizenship education for Pre-K through 12. Beyond expanding our student travel options, she envisions working within each division to expand global curriculum and experiences so that all of our students not only learn about the world and other people/cultures, but with and from these people and cultures. Betsy has served as the Program for Young Children and Lower School Counselor for 13 years. During this time, she also served as the part-time Director of Diversity for five years and the Student Support Department Chair for two years. Betsy has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Baldwin Wallace College, a Master of Science Degree in Education from the University of Dayton Center at Capital University, and a Doctorate of Education in Global Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Director of the Center for Mathematical Reasoning
Dr. Stephen Lewis
Among the initiatives Stephen hopes to undertake as Director of the Center for Mathematical Reasoning are creating an in-house tutoring program and collaborating with partners such as industry professionals, university faculty, and CSG alumnae to hold a series of mathematics symposiums. Stephen joined CSG this past school year as Upper School Mathematics Teacher. Over the course of his career, he has served as math teacher at a variety of grade schools and has worked in various capacities at The Ohio State University and Marietta College, including as adjunct faculty. Stephen holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Science and Psychology, a Master of Education Degree in Mathematics Education, and a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Mathematics Education from The Ohio State University.
Director of the Center for Science Research & Engineering
Dr. Stephanie Nelson
As Director of the Center of Science Research & Engineering, Stephanie wants to support faculty by offering cross-curricular and cross-divisional science research and engineering opportunities. Stephanie has been a member of the CSG Upper School Science faculty since 2016. She also serves as faculty advisor & lead mentor of the FIRST Robotics Competition Team 677, Murphy's Outlaws, and serves as faculty advisor for the PRIDE Club. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Animal Behavior from Bucknell University, a Master of Science Degree in Biology from Villanova University, and a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree in Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology from The Ohio State University.