When you walk inside the brand-new Annette Seago Career Innovation Center (CIC), it becomes immediately clear that this is not your typical school setup. The facility is breathtaking, but it is the thoughtful design that truly captures your attention. With an open-concept layout and an abundance of flexible seating options, the space feels vibrant and full of possibilities. The space provides students with a comfortable environment where they can collaborate on projects, brainstorm creative ideas with classmates, or relax and connect with their peers.
Set to officially open its doors for the 2026–2027 school year, the CIC isn't just a new building, it's a whole new way of thinking about how local kids can prepare for the future.
"The new CIC building feels like a college campus,” Stephanie Lower, who teaches Business and Marketing classes as part of the Business Accelerator program, shared. "I love the collaboration spaces throughout the building. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing students spread out, make the space their own, and work together to create innovative solutions for our community partners."
A Leader of Real-World Learning
This new space was created with a clear mission: making sure local students develop success-ready skills, cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset, and enter the workforce or higher education with confidence.
"Our programs are designed to provide authentic, hands-on learning experiences," explains CIC Director Andy Mayfield. "This approach creates an engaging learning environment where students can 'try out' a career before graduation, helping them make informed decisions about their future education and career goals."
The program is remarkably inclusive, welcoming juniors and seniors from five area public high schools: Blue Springs, Blue Springs South, Grain Valley, Fort Osage, and Oak Grove, as well as local homeschool and private school students.
Currently, the CIC offers seven distinct career pathways from which students can choose: Aviation, Business, Culinary & Hospitality, Gaming & Technology, Medical & Health Sciences, Professional Studies & Career Foundations, and Teaching & Education.
Portfolios Over Transcripts
What makes the CIC unique is that students don't just learn about industries, they actively run them. In the Culinary pathway, students team up to operate Next Course Social, a restaurant open to the public, and run the Little Blue Mug campus coffee shop. Aspiring pilots take the controls of a full-motion Redbird flight simulator, while Health and Education students complete direct hours during clinicals or in elementary classrooms. The digital labs follow the exact same hands-on approach.
"Our students work with the same tools professionals use, from Unity and Unreal Engine in Video Game Design, to Toon Boom Harmony," explains Animation and Video Game Design teacher Andrew Enlow. "These students leave with a portfolio, not just a transcript. We're building futures, not just teaching classes."
That access to industry-level technology is what makes CIC students stand out. Shawn Clark, who teaches Business Accelerator, Robotics, and Introduction to Trades, believes these resources will turn the program into a regional powerhouse.
"The Career Innovation Center has become a central hub of this movement in the metro area," Shawn says. "It provides students with real-world opportunities and community partnerships that enable them to become highly sought-after and employable individuals."
"Take the Opportunity"
Looking ahead, Andy envisions the CIC continuously evolving to match workforce trends, with a goal to serve over 1,000 students within the next three to five years.
When asked what advice he would give to families considering a CIC pathway, he said, "Take the opportunity! We love seeing students discover and confirm their passions through participation in our programs. However, we also believe there is tremendous value in students learning that a particular career or industry may not be the right fit for them. Gaining that insight, while still in high school, can save time, money, and uncertainty later on."
Whether a student leaves the CIC with a clear career roadmap or simply a better understanding of their unique strengths, they graduate one step closer to their dreams.