The Rome City School District, in partnership with the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce and Mohawk Valley Community College, welcomed school and business leaders from across the region for an evening of connection and collaboration during its recent event, “Empowering Futures: Connecting Business & Education for Tomorrow’s Leaders.”
The event, held at the Mohawk Valley Community College Rome Campus on Feb. 24, aimed to build long-term, reciprocal partnerships between education and business to help strengthen the regional economy. RCSD Superintendent of Schools Nerlande Anselme and the district’s Executive Leadership team led the evening’s presentations and discussions, which highlighted the district’s long-term vision aligned with NYS expectations for graduates, explored partnership opportunities through the expansion of hands-on learning experiences, mentorships and internships, and ways to align career pathways with workforce needs.
The event also dedicated time for open networking sessions, where participants shared ideas on how businesses can expand opportunities for students and provide support and resources to help shape the next generation of skilled talent. Feedback forms were also available for guests to share insights on emerging skills, needed skills, and workforce trends, which will help lead future planning and continued partnerships.
“Education does not exist in isolation—economic vitality begins in classrooms and extends into our industries,” Anselme shared during the event. “Tonight is the beginning of a deeper collaboration, one where your insight, expertise, and partnership help us create meaningful pathways for students and a sustainable workforce for our community. We appreciate your engagement, your ideas, and your continued support as we build these opportunities together.”
The evening also included remarks by leadership team members from the Rome Area Chamber of Commerce, Mohawk Valley Community College, and the RCSD Board of Education.