100 Years of Co-op
A century ago, Antioch College was the first to integrate cooperative education with an undergraduate liberal arts curriculum
The Antioch science Co-ops are what set me on course for my entire career.
Antioch’s idea was: get your feet wet and maybe you’ll learn how to swim.
years of Co-op
Generations of Co-op Stories
As we mark a century of cooperative education, we welcome memories and reflections from alumni, parents, faculty, and staff throughout the year ahead.
Current Students on Co-op
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Awake and Dreaming: Michael Perea ‘24 at Antioch College in Yellow Springs, Ohioby Michael Perea on September 15, 2021
The words appear stark against the old wall, somewhere between a whisper and a shout. It is one of many phrases scrawled upon hallways and pillars. Some have clear intentions like the names and phone numbers scribbled onto corners and others are musings or perhaps
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Swimming Against the Anti-Immigrant Current: Kensy Zelaya ’21 at the Central American Resources Center in Houston, Texasby Kensy Zelaya Sabillon on November 3, 2020
I am Kensy Zelaya, a fourth-year student at Antioch College with a self-designed major in political economy and social psychology. For my last co-op, I found an internship at CARECEN, located in Houston, Texas. What is CARECEN? Under the slogan “No Human Being is Illegal,”
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The Center of a Movement in the Middle of Nowhere: Ike Wylie ’22 at Camphill Copake in Copake, New Yorkby Ike Wylie on October 10, 2020
In a valley that, if observed from up high, resembles a bowl- there is a village of twelve houses. They hold farmers, bakers, and candlemakers. These houses do not have televisions, pets, or microwaves. They sing and bless their meals. They are from Europe
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The Dream of a Future Farmer: Kaylee Rutherford ’23 at the Antioch Farm in Yellow Springs, Ohioby Kaylee Rutherford on October 9, 2020
At the Antioch Farm, sustainability is of the utmost importance. Food forests and annual gardens spread across the vast fields towards the south end of the campus, where permaculture practices are explored and utilized to create a beautiful and bountiful environment. The food grown on
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Conflict of Interest: Chris Chavers ’21 at the Law Office of Phillip Brigham in Chicago, Illinoisby Chris Chavers on October 9, 2020
There’s this moment when I walk into the courtroom that surrounds my body with excitement, inspiration, and fulfillment of purpose. It is a feeling that I can’t wipe off my skin because in these seconds I feel alive. I see the bench, I see the
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Life and Lessons in Panamá: Dillon Powell Zuniga ’22 at Mount Totumas Cloud Forestby Dillon Powell on March 1, 2020
Everyday I wake up ready to take on a new task here at Mount Totumas. I’m a volunteer here in the Panamanian Cloud Forest, always ready to help move the project here forward. They have a huge coffee project here, along with a couple others,
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More Than A Home: Delaney Schlesinger-Devlin ’22 at Estia Agios Nikolaos in Galaxidi, Greeceby Delaney Schlesinger-Devlin on October 14, 2019
“Estia Agios Nikolaos is the only community in Greece where adults with special needs live, work and spend their free time together with their caregivers.” When I started my first year at Antioch I knew I wanted to study psychology, but I did not know
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Sailing Adventure: Lois Chermansky ’22 at The Drummond Island Tall Ship Company on Shelter Island, Michiganby Lois on October 13, 2019
This co-op term I am employed at The Drummond Island Tall Ship Company as an intern deckhand on the Schooner Huron Jewel. The Coverts (who own this company) live on Shelter Island, which is off the coast of Drummond Island, and have two small one-room cabins for
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The Truth About Teaching: Lexi Payton ’22 at Paraclete Academy in Boston, Massachusettsby Lexi Payton on May 30, 2019
I have always described myself as a living paradox. I like my room to be clean, very clean. In fact, I start everyday by making my bed, and I vacuum my floor before the night ends. However, I am an absurdly messy eater. I eat
Co-op work experience has lasting impact
As we celebrate 100 years of Cooperative Education, we look forward to providing this life changing experience to future generations. This March, donations to the College’s Annual Fund are matched 1:1 thanks to generous matching gifts which double the impact of every dollar given.
Antioch had a truly profound and lasting impact on my life. And I believe that the Antioch College Works program [which builds on the strength of Co-op] gives students today exactly the kind of experience that will prepare them to be a force for productive and positive work in the world.
