Central State University graduate champions change and community at LINC Academy

Central State University Alum Spotlight: David Ross, ’16 

Above: David Ross with his mother and grandmother celebrating his acceptance into Central State University in 2009.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — David Ross, a 2016 graduate of Central State University, has achieved an extraordinary milestone as the youngest founding principal in Columbus, Ohio. Ross’s journey from a Milwaukee high school student to the founder and principal of LINC Academy — a tuition-free community school in Columbus — reflects his drive to overcome personal obstacles and his determination to create educational opportunities for underserved communities.  

Growing up in Milwaukee, Ross had never envisioned himself in the field of education.   

“I didn’t see myself as a teacher. Education was not even on my radar,” he acknowledged.  

However, a pivotal encounter with a Central State recruiter changed his trajectory. The recruiter encouraged him to consider the possibilities at Central State. Ross recalls, “I wanted better for myself and decided to give it a chance.”   

This chance, combined with encouragement from his grandmother, who, despite only completing an eighth-grade education, believed deeply in education’s power to lift her family out of poverty, set Ross on a transformative journey.  

When he first arrived at Central State, he quickly realized the significance of attending a Historically Black College or University (HBCU).  

“Attending an HBCU is like nothing else in the world,” Ross said. “It gives you an outlook on excellence that you didn’t know existed.”   

Surrounded by peers who “have intelligence and excellence about themselves,” Ross experienced an environment that encouraged him to excel. Central State’s keen sense of tradition had a lasting impact, instilling in him a commitment to academic and personal growth.   

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“They required us to dress up every Wednesday, something I wasn’t used to. I bought my first suit from a thrift store in town,” he shared, explaining how this experience gave him an appreciation for professionalism. “Now, I love to put on a suit, but that was cultivated at Central State.”  

While at Central State, Ross’s journey was far from easy. Financial challenges meant he had to fund his education independently, with no scholarships to fall back on. Instead, he relied on multiple campus jobs, from working as a tour guide to assisting in the financial aid office.  

“I was a tour guide, I drove vans for transportation, I worked in financial aid — it was hard work, but it pushed me to take my education more seriously.”   

He credits supportive faculty members like Drs. Candace Lowell and Anthony R. Arment for encouraging him to persevere.  

“Dr. Lowell actually called my then-girlfriend, now my wife (Kara Ross), when I skipped class one day,” he recalled with a smile. “Her level of intentionality and care was something you don’t see everywhere.”  

Ross’s unexpected journey into education began shortly after graduation when a church member encouraged him to try substitute teaching. Although initially uncertain, he agreed to try it for two weeks.  

“After that second week, I realized I had found my calling,” he said.  

From there, he worked his way up as a teacher, coach, and dean, gaining invaluable experience in student engagement and school culture. His leadership at United Schools Network’s Columbus Collegiate Academy and KIPP Columbus ultimately led him to found LINC Academy in 2024.  

LINC Academy, a K-2 school situated on Columbus’s west side, was born out of Ross’s desire to give back to communities like the one in which he grew up. The school’s name — an acronym for Lead, Imagine, Navigate, and Change — reflects Ross’s belief that students should be empowered to overcome challenges and positively impact their surroundings.  

“I understand what these students are going through,” he explained. “I grew up in poverty, in a single-parent household. I want these kids to know that they can achieve anything, no matter where they start.”  

LINC Academy offers a unique approach to education that combines academic rigor with character development.  “We have small class sizes — some as low as 12 students per class — so that every student gets the attention they need,” Ross said.  

The curriculum emphasizes empathy, conflict resolution, and emotional management, skills Ross believes are essential for a successful life. “A lot of students are angry or frustrated about things they can’t control. We teach them how to manage those emotions and navigate life’s obstacles positively.”  

Ross also envisions LINC as a full-circle experience, with plans to add a middle and high school, creating a seamless educational journey from kindergarten through college.  

“We’re not just a school,” he said. “We’re a community that stays with our students beyond graduation, helping them secure scholarships and even mentoring them into their careers.”  

Reflecting on his time at Central State, Ross credited his alma mater with giving him the confidence and leadership skills needed to found LINC Academy.  

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“Central State prepared me to be a leader,” he said. “It’s a place that cultivates excellence and pushes you to come out of your shell. They don’t just educate you — they shape you.” 

He recalled with pride the long-lasting relationships he formed there, adding, “The professors and mentors at Central State are more than teachers; they're family. They were right there with me through every struggle. Central State doesn’t just create graduates; it creates leaders.”  

David and Kara Ross have one daughter, 6-month-old Noelle, who often sports her Central State University onesie. Ross said he hopes she will attend their alma mater. 

As he looks to the future, Ross is optimistic for his students and his community. 

“I want to see our students grow up and give back, just like I’m doing. I want them to become leaders, to imagine a better world, and to make that world a reality,” he said.  

With LINC Academy, David Ross and his team are building a school and a legacy of resilience, determination, and excellence — and it all began at Central State University.