Speakers
“I would never have made it without your help” are words of gratitude and appreciation from her students that continue to motivate Kathy Espy. As Director of Diversity and Community Initiatives at Mount Carmel College of Nursing, the joy and pride in accomplishment she sees in her students on graduation day inspires Kathy in her work.
Kathy was a supporter of Mount Carmel long before she was an employee. She was a trustee on the Mount Carmel Foundation board, and the first African American member of the Mount Carmel College of Nursing Board of Trustees. She was invited to a meeting to develop a strategy to support minority students in their journey to become professional nurses. That meeting turned into a job and the implementation of “The Learning Trail,” a program Espy created and named – an innovative strategy of advocacy and support for underrepresented students which positively impacts retention and graduation rates. Espy brings a unique understanding of the challenges of diversity and inclusion facing colleges and universities. With support and encouragement, students can maximize their opportunity for educational success, impacting their families and future generations. As the mother of four daughters, Espy is acutely aware and strongly supportive of programs which elevate and encourage women and girls. She began Mount Carmel’s “A Gathering of Women” receptions, celebrating the accomplishments and achievements of women new to the Columbus community. An involved and engaged community leader, she is grateful for the mentorship of Glenna Watson and Karen Schwarzwalder and has in turn passed on their giving spirit to other women.
She has served on the boards of Action for Children, Heritage Day Health Centers, Ballet Met, and Isabelle Ridgway, is a former chair of the YWCA Board of Trustees and the YWCA Endowment Trust. Espy is a past Recreation and Parks Commission President, and one of 7 Columbus commissioners. She is a member of The Links, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Columbus Corporate Sisters, the Coalition of 100 Black Women, and several social organizations.
Espy has been honored by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, UNCF, the Columbus Junior League, AEP Foundation, The Walter and Marian English Foundation, The Ohio Association of College Administrators, The Columbus Black Nurses Association, Mount Carmel College of Nursing, St. Paul AME Church, The Columbus Chapter, Jack and Jill of America, Greater Columbus Community Helping Hands, Inc., and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity. She is a member of the YWCA Academy of Women of Achievement and is one of only three women to receive the YWCA Lifetime Achievement Award. The Espy family was honored in the Columbus Black Heritage Bicentennial Celebration Edition, 2012.
A graduate of the Ohio State University in speech pathology and audiology and a Toledo, Ohio native, she is married to Attorney Ben Espy and is the mother of four daughters: Elizabeth Espy, Dr. Amy Espy-Smith (David), Dr. Laura Espy-Bell (Stephen) and Attorney Lynne Espy-Williams (Ko J). She has 6 granddaughters and 2 grandsons.