Great Oaks Career Campuses charts a course for growth
After almost 12 years at the helm of Great Oaks Career Campuses, Superintendent Harry Snyder has outlasted the average tenure for superintendents by threefold—and he’s not slowing down. With a supportive board and a clear vision for the future, Snyder is overseeing an institution that’s redefining what career technical education means in Southwest Ohio.
“We’re healthy, we’re growing,” Snyder says. “We’re continuing to be the largest career tech. It’s always good to have Butler Tech bite down our heels, because that makes us better..”
From Stigma to Success
Great Oaks has transformed its reputation in recent years, overcoming outdated perceptions about career technical education. The shift came through strategic expansion and a focus on engaging students earlier in their educational journey.
“We finally overcame the “that’s where the bad kids go’ [stigma],” Snyder explains. “Our kids aren’t the bad kids. In fact, there are more successes coming through our centers than some private schools, some of our public schools, which are our partners.”
The key to this transformation? Getting students excited about learning through hands-on, project-based curriculum. When kids come home talking enthusiastically about dropping eggs on structures they built or competing in BattleBots, parents take notice.
“Students … start to open their eyes at what careers [they might] want to get involved in that are the tactical, hands on work. So that’s our opportunity,” Snyder says. “It’s not [the] traditional way of educational delivery, and all of a sudden they wake up and say, ‘I really like this.’”
Ambitious Expansion Plans
Great Oaks isn’t resting on its success. The organization recently opened a new Alternative/Electric Vehicle Technician program at its Laurel Oaks campus, responding to the evolving automotive industry. Another major initiative is a new Alternative Aviation Exploration building.
“[We] just broke ground on it about a week ago, and so it should be ready for next fall,” Snyder says. The program is being driven in part by GE Aerospace’s growing presence in the region and the expansion of Cincinnati State’s aviation programs at its Harrison Campus airfield.
But this isn’t just about training pilots. “Aviation exploration is more … drone-centric,” Snyder explains. “We’re not talking about little 1-foot drones. We’re talking about 12-foot drones.”
The aviation program launched last year at Great Oaks’ Live Oaks campus and filled quickly, demonstrating strong student interest. The new facility on the west side will expand capacity to meet growing demand.
Meanwhile, Great Oaks is embarking on a five-to-six-year renovation of its Scarlet Oaks campus, with a focus on expanding health tech programs to meet the health care industry’s continuing workforce needs.
Partnering for Success
Great Oaks serves students from a diverse array of partnering school districts, including Winton Woods, Indian Hill, Milford, and Anderson, and has built strong relationships across the region, such as its relationship with Hamilton County ESC, whose chair, Bill Ferguson, Jr., serves on the Great Oaks board.
The organization also maintains partnerships that help students transition from exploration to career-ready programs. “Our programming and our partnering school [go] all the way to 12th grade,” Snyder notes. “They can continue to build robots, BattleBots, different activities like that.”
Opening Doors Through Career Exploration
Great Oaks has invested heavily in career exploration programs, utilizing platforms like YouScience and Project Lead the Way to help students identify their interests and aptitudes. These programs have proven crucial in growing enrollment and engaging students in their own educational journey.
This approach has paid dividends. Great Oaks successfully converted its levy from a 10-year cycle to a continuous levy, with strong community support. Applications for the 2026-27 school year opened Nov. 15, and enrollment continues to grow.
Embracing the AI Challenge
Like educational institutions everywhere, Great Oaks is grappling with how to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its curriculum. For Snyder, this isn’t just a technical challenge—it’s about preparing students for a rapidly evolving workplace.
“[AI] is not going away,” he emphasizes. “You have to help your student understand it and embrace it, even if you don’t.” The challenge extends beyond technical training to helping parents understand the changing landscape their children will enter.
Looking Ahead
Despite recent state legislation, such as House Bill 186, that Snyder says “stunts our financial growth,” Great Oaks remains focused on expansion and improvement. The organization’s success over the past five years has positioned it well to navigate challenges while continuing to serve more students.
As Great Oaks enters its recruitment season for the next academic year, Snyder’s message is clear: Career technical education isn’t an alternative path—it’s a powerful pathway to success for students who thrive on hands-on learning and real-world application.
This article was created with AI assistance.
