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Owens Graduate Selected for Emerging Leaders Program, Receives Grant to Offset Costs

Candace Summerskill

While she might already be a college graduate, Candace Summerskill knows her learning won’t stop just because she isn’t in a classroom. She’ll get to add to her knowledge base as an ultrasound technologist after she was selected for the Emerging Leaders Program at the Society for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (SDMS) conference in September in Denver.

Summerskill graduated from Owens Community College in May with an associate degree in Diagnostic Medical Sonography (DMS). She received the Exceptional Student Leadership recognition from the Owens Board of Trustees Student Life Committee.

Not only was she picked for the sixth cohort of the Emerging Leaders Program, she was a grant recipient as well. The grant recipients receive expenses paid for attendance and participation at the annual conference and other SDMS meetings; recognition in printed materials and social media by SDMS; and one year of SDMS membership.

Summerskill, who works at the Center for Reproductive Medicine at the University of Michigan, admitted she was shocked to be selected for the cohort and receive the grant.

“When you’re in the thick of life, schooling, clinicals, taking your boards and gearing up for graduation, it feels as though you’ll never make it out. Now being on the other side of it all, I feel like all of the hard work definitely paid off,” she said.

Julie Posey, chair of the Owens Sonography Department, said opportunities like this are incredibly valuable for recent graduates by going beyond what is taught in the classroom. Students receive real-world leadership experience while collaborating with industry leaders and mentors.

“This kind of experience accelerates their career development and gives them a strong sense of ownership in the profession,” Posey said. “By engaging directly with innovation and leadership in the field, they not only strengthen their clinical expertise but also build the confidence and vision needed to drive improvements in patient care for years to come.”

Summerskill is the third Owens student to be accepted into the Emerging Leaders Program and the second chosen as a grant recipient.

As a 38-year-old returning to school, Summerskill wasn’t sure how she would balance the demands of work, school and life, but going to Owens — a community college close to her home in Rossford — was “the best decision I could have made.”

“Having endless support and encouragement from my program director and DMS faculty helped tremendously,” Summerskill said. “They saw something in me from early on and continually pushed me to step outside my comfort zone, and I’m so thankful that they did. I appreciate every single one of them for their continued support throughout my time at Owens, and after, along with their generous nomination on my behalf for this incredible program.”

To learn more about Diagnostic Medical Sonography at Owens, please visit owens.edu/sonography.