Students, mentors and community partners gathered for the Future 42 mentorship end-of-year luncheon to celebrate a year of learning and connection. The event highlighted the impact of a program that brings together schools, local industry and the community to help students prepare for their futures.
Future 42 is a partnership between Jefferson Community and Technical College, Carroll County Area Technology Center, iLEAD Academy, local school districts and industry leaders including Kentucky Utilities, Dow, North American Stainless, NUCOR Gallatin and PMC Organometallix. With support from the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, students also receive help with resume writing and mock interviews. Together, these partners are giving students a clearer path from the classroom to a career.
What began as a small group of 20 students has grown into a regional program serving 70 students across five counties. Over the past four years, approximately 200 students have taken part in the mentorship experience. Organizers say the growth is important, but the impact matters even more.
“The results are speaking for themselves,” said JCTC Campus Director Heather Yocum. “That’s not just growth, it’s impact. We want students like you to envision a future here.”
Future 42 is designed to expose students to real-world careers while building relationships with professionals in the field. Through job site visits, hands-on learning and one-on-one mentorship, students gain a better understanding of their options.
For Merritt Hall, a Henry County student who attends iLEAD Academy, those experiences made all the difference. Hall, who received a consortium scholarship and plans to attend JCTC in the fall of 2026, said the program helped refine career goals.
Hall credited Future 42 with providing opportunities that go beyond the classroom. “Programs like Future 42 play a role in making these experiences possible. You gain insight, see how to apply skills in real environments and receive guidance from professionals,” Hall said. “What you’ve invested in us will stay with us long after this program. We’re not guessing about our future anymore, but stepping into them with confidence.”
Industry mentors also shared how meaningful it has been to watch students grow. Robbie Wade, the early career development leader at Dow, encouraged students to continue pushing themselves as they move forward.
“Be willing to grow and continue to challenge yourself,” Wade said. “This is your journey. I hope you see a bigger picture. Your story is just starting.”
Wade reminded students that the support they experienced through Future 42 doesn’t end with the mentorship. “The reason I’m here is because I believe in you guys and what your future holds. You may not know if you can, but I know you can. There are people here who believe in you.”
Carroll County Area Technology Center Counselor Chad Rose echoed that message, emphasizing that opportunity and effort go hand in hand.
“The opportunities are only as good as the work you put behind it,” Rose said. “You’ve all been given opportunities, more than most of the world. Your future is up to you - make it great.”