Student Organization Spotlight: OHI/O

Student Organization Spotlight: OHI/O

The Institute for Cybersecurity and Digital Trust (ICDT) is committed to uplifting and empowering student organizations that shape the future of Ohio State’s tech community. We look forward to showcasing the incredible talent driving cybersecurity, technology, and digital trust on campus. For our first organization, we are highlighting OHI/O.

Who is OHI/O?

OHI/O, an organization dedicated to building a hands-on tech culture on campus, is entirely student-run while focusing on student impact. This includes opportunities for students from kindergarten to college, dealing with innovation, collaboration, and tackling real-world challenges. Through hackathons, make-a-thons, and a wide range of tech-focused events, participants strengthen their creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities. Whether you’re a seasoned coder or simply curious about tech, OHI/O invites you to turn your ideas into impact.

The History of OHI/O

Since hosting Ohio State’s first hackathon in 2013, with just 100 students in a library basement, the program has expanded tremendously. Attendance grew to 200 students in 2014 and now welcomes more than 800 participants to the Ohio Union Ballroom each year.

In addition to the flagship hackathon, OHI/O introduced MakeOHI/O in 2014 and sponsored student participation in GiveBackHack starting in 2015. They continue to support and promote tech events across campus and beyond, including TownHacks, DataFest, and more.

Since 2018, OHI/O has collaborated with student organizations to create events such as DataI/O, HackAI, Capture the Flag, and BioHack, expanding engagement with alumni, industry partners, and the broader community.

Mission and Vision

Through all its growth, OHI/O remains committed to offering a welcoming, informal, and diverse learning environment for students of all backgrounds, concentrating on their “3C’s”:

Curiosity: Encouraging students to explore the “why” behind problems, ask insightful questions, and challenge existing assumptions.

Connections: Helping participants recognize patterns and relationships across disciplines to identify innovative solutions.

Creating Value: Motivating students to design and implement solutions that deliver tangible benefits to stakeholders, including communities, businesses, or society at large.

Congratulations to the winners and for another successful year of HackOHI/O! Get involved with OHI/O by visiting their website: https://hack.osu.edu/get-involved/