News Releases

Owens Community College Invests $31.3 Million to Meet Region’s Growing Healthcare Needs

Posted on November 16th, 2023

healthcare education center

The Center for Fine and Performing Arts rotunda was filled with healthcare students who posed for group photos. They captured the memories but more importantly, they arrived early to be part of the next historic occasion at Owens Community College.

Owens broke ground Thursday, November 16 on a $31.3 million healthcare education center that will support the region’s labor demands by providing highly-skilled healthcare professionals from the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

The renovation and expansion of two buildings on the east side of the Toledo-area Campus will allow for enrollment growth, provide double the lab space and ensure students are working on state-of-the-art equipment.

In all, nearly 200 community members, faculty, staff and students attended the ceremonial groundbreaking, featuring a presentation at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts theatre and then photos with hard hats and shovels in neatly piled black dirt at the nearby construction site.

Among those in attendance were State Rep. Haraz Ghanbari, Tim Schneider, a representative from the office of U.S. Senator JD Vance, and David Wirt, district director of the Office of Congressman Robert Latta.

“We have been educating tomorrow’s nurses and healthcare professionals for more than 50 years,” Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville said, “and with this renovation and expansion, Owens will remain at the forefront for students’ healthcare education before our graduates begin caring for patients in hospitals and other medical facilities.”

With an expected completion date of 2025, the center will feature 65,250 in renovated space and 21,300 in new additions to the footprint, providing students with more than 86,500 of square footage as they pursue in-demand careers in healthcare.

The School of Nursing and Health Professions enrolled 1,845 students for Fall 2023, including 1,733 on the Toledo-area Campus, in Dental Hygiene, Health Information, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Medical Assisting, Nursing, Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physical Therapist Assistant, Radiography, Sonography and Surgical. Exercise Science, which also is part of the school, moved its offices and labs to the Student Health and Activities Center this year.

Student leaders representing the 11 departments participated in the groundbreaking ceremony.

“It’s exciting that we will have a primary location to accommodate our interprofessional education approach, which ensures healthcare graduates are well-trained to practice collaboratively and provide patient-centered care to members of the community,” said Cathy Ford, Dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. “Our new and expanded center will feature dedicated spaces to create these collaborations.”

Moody’s Investors Service assigned Owens Community College an A2 underlying and Aa2 enhanced rating for a $25 million bond. The bond is the first in the college’s history, signaling the college’s financial stability. The capital project including renovations, improvements and equipment purchases is estimated at $31.3 million, using bond proceeds, state and local funds.

Owens Community College has served Northwest Ohio since 1965 as an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education with an open-door admission policy. Through intentional, adaptive and empowering education, Owens offers more than 160 academic programs to be the first choice for students, employers and the community. As a conduit to changing lives for the better, Owens creates pathways for success. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.

Owens Community College Breaking Ground on $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center

Posted on November 14th, 2023

Media Advisory

Owens Community College will support the region’s labor demands by providing highly-skilled healthcare professionals from a new $31.3 million nursing and health professions education center. A formal ceremony and ceremonial groundbreaking will mark the construction of the renovated and expanded facility.

Formal ceremony and ceremony groundbreaking

10 a.m. Thursday, November 16

Presentation in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts mainstage theatre
Groundbreaking photo opportunities near the construction site to follow
- Students from the different healthcare departments will participate

Theme

The heart for future healthcare professionals

About the School of Nursing and Health Professions

The School of Nursing and Health Professions enrolled 1,845 students for Fall 2023, including 1,733 on the Toledo-area Campus in three buildings (Heritage Hall, Health Technologies Hall and Bicentennial Hall).

Upon completion in 2025, healthcare students will study in the new center, located on the east side of the Toledo-area Campus in the buildings formerly known as the Library and Audio/Visual Classroom Center. The square footage will feature 65,250 in renovated square footage and 21,300 in new additions to the footprint, providing students with more than 86,500 of square footage as they pursue rewarding careers in healthcare.

The new center will house the following 10 departments:

Dental Hygiene
Health Information
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Medical Assisting
Nursing
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Physical Therapist Assistant
Radiography
Sonography
Surgical

Exercise Science, which also is part of the school, moved its offices and labs to the Student Health and Activities Center this year.

Owens’ approach of interprofessional education (IPE) ensures healthcare graduates are well-trained to practice collaboratively and provide patient-centered care to members of the community. The new center will feature simulation areas for students to practice the IPE curriculum.

Scope of Project

Website

www.owens.edu/healthcareeducationcenter

BGSU, University of Findlay and Owens Community College name executive director for Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics

Posted on October 13th, 2022

Bowling Green State University, the University of Findlay and Owens Community College have announced the appointment of an executive director for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. Tim Mayle, who currently serves as director of Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development, will assume the key leadership position in November, bringing more than 20 years of direct experience with economic development to the Center.

Mayle has been with Findlay-Hancock County Economic Development since 2011 and has led the division within the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance since 2016. In his new role, he will provide strategic direction for the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics, which will support the rapidly expanding workforce need for skilled professionals in the region and state.

“The Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics has incredible potential to shape our economy,” said Mayle. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve our region and state through economic and workforce development in this new capacity. Ohio continues to see unprecedented investment in the advanced manufacturing and logistics sectors, and I am excited to leverage the strengths of three higher education institutions through this Center to support our economy at such a significant moment.”

“Tim’s impressive success as the Director of Economic Development for the Findlay-Hancock County Alliance bodes well for the future of this game-changing initiative,” said University of Findlay President Katherine Fell. “President Somerville, President Rogers, and I are committed to doing our part to prepare the workforce needed for long-term manufacturing and logistics success in northwest Ohio and we are delighted to welcome Tim to our team.”

Last fall, BGSU, the University of Findlay and Owens Community College announced an innovative partnership among the three institutions, representing a public, a private and a community college, to create the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics.

The Center will facilitate the growth and sustainability of jobs and company creation in the advanced manufacturing and logistics sectors, providing opportunities for companies large and small to access training, talent and research and development opportunities.

In September, Intel broke ground in Licking County, Ohio, after announcing plans for an initial investment of more than $20 billion in the construction of two new leading-edge chip factories to boost production to meet demand for advanced semiconductors. This week, Honda confirmed it has selected Ohio to lead its electric vehicle (EV) production and announced, along with LG Energy Solution, a joint venture battery plant with a combined investment of at least $4.2 billion.

“Higher education plays a critical role in supporting the vitality of our economy and the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics comes at an essential time for Ohio,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “Through this public university, private university, and public community college partnership, we will ensure our region’s institutions are working together to provide relevant academic programs, facilities and connections with businesses to prepare the trained professionals needed to support and sustain industry growth. We remain focused on meeting our students’ and society’s needs while ensuring Ohio continues to be a leader in advanced manufacturing and logistics.”

The Center will initially have three operating nodes located on the partnering colleges’ campuses, all along the I-75 corridor. Each institution will provide distinctive training opportunities, ranging from non-degree track certifications and badges to associate, bachelor’s and post-graduate degrees, to address workforce needs.

In addition, the Center will also provide applied research, prototyping and experiential learning opportunities to solve industry problems and provide hands-on learning experience for talent development.

As executive director, Mayle will work at the three partnering institutions’ campuses and will foster manufacturing and logistic industry jobs and company creation. He will also manage the Center’s external engagement to integrate the Center’s programs into the region’s ecosystem.

“I am thrilled to welcome Tim Mayle as the inaugural executive director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics,” said Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville. “His experience in economic development and his long history in northwest Ohio make him the perfect candidate. Tim will bring an entrepreneurial spirit and the energy that we need to ensure the success of the Center. As a champion of education’s role in the prosperity of a community, Tim has been an invaluable partner. He understands how an alignment between workforce and higher education will help drive our region’s professional pipeline. The Center is poised to have an incredible impact, and we are excited to see Tim’s leadership continue to move us forward.”

Mayle was appointed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine to serve on the Transportation Review Advisory Council to the Ohio Department of Transportation. He also serves as president of the Ohio Economic Development Association Board of Directors and will continue his work on both statewide initiatives.

He holds a Bachelor of Science in Geographic Information Systems from Ohio University. Mayle is set to begin his role as executive director for the Center of Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics on Nov. 1.

Release courtesy BGSU Office of Marketing and Brand Strategy with collaboration from the Owens Community College and the University of Findlay strategic marketing and communications offices.

Owens Healthcare Students Gain Clinical Access, Including Supervised Direct Patient Care

Posted on August 15th, 2022

Owens Community College and Blanchard Valley Health System Expand Partnership

Owens Community College and Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS) have signed a formal agreement that expands clinical site access for tomorrow’s healthcare workers studying at Owens, including nurses and allied health professionals.

The agreement calls for supervised access to direct patient care to provide clinical training and experience for Owens students enrolled primarily in the college’s School of Nursing and Health Professions, from the Findlay-area Campus on Bright Road and the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg.

Blanchard Valley Health System’s clinical sites include Blanchard Valley Hospital and Bluffton Hospital, among others. Clinical sites will accommodate a minimum of six and maximum of 10 clinical groups consisting of six to seven students per group during both the Spring and Fall semesters.

“We are very excited about this partnership with Owens Community College, as we work together to offer the opportunity for individuals in northwest Ohio to develop skills and become dedicated healthcare workers,” said Myron Lewis, president and chief executive officer of BVHS. “Collaborations such as these are extremely beneficial to the communities we serve, not only by creating jobs, but also by ensuring quality healthcare services for generations to come.”

“At Owens, we strive to provide our students with dynamic and interactive educational experiences,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, president of Owens Community College. “We value our partnership with Blanchard Valley Health System and the opportunities it provides our students and our communities. These kinds of partnerships ensure we educate healthcare workers and other graduates who are prepared and ready for their careers.”

Pre-nursing seats remain available for Fall Semester, which begins August 29. The need for registered nurses is expected to grow by 9 percent by 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Owens students in Ultrasound Technology, MRI, Radiological Technology, Surgical Technology, Sterile Processing and Vascular Technology as well as students in Emergency Medical Services in the college’s Public Safety program also will work clinicals at BVHS.

“The increased clinical opportunities at Blanchard Valley Health System will expose our students to a real-world work environment and demonstrate what is expected following graduation as they begin their careers,” said Irene Jones, Owens nursing program chair. “We are very excited to have these clinical seats for our students.”

“Clinical positions are vitally important to the overall well-being of our public health environment,” said Barbara J. Pasztor, chief nursing officer and chief operating officer of acute care services at BVHS. “Through this partnership with Owens Community College, we are elated to be able to collaborate in order to advance the careers of future healthcare providers within our own region.”

For more information about Owens Community College nursing or healthcare programs, visit www.owens.edu/snhp.

College Hosts Visionary Ohio Author, Big Read’s Saeed Jones

Posted on April 15th, 2022

Owens Community College is pleased to host Ohio’s own Saeed Jones to discuss his recent memoir, “How We Fight for Our Lives,” the Owens 2021–22 Big Read selection. This hybrid in-person and virtual event culminates the year-long, college-wide exploration of Jones’s book, which has included a radio discussion series, ongoing events on campus and in local public libraries, and reading-related community service projects.

Spearheaded by award-winning Professor of English Jen Hazel and Director of Library Services Jane Berger, the Owens Big Read program brings awareness of different perspectives through books and accompanying activities on campus and in our surrounding communities. Accordingly, “How We Fight for Our Lives” chronicles Jones’s own journey as a queer Black man raised in Texas. Since its 2019 publication, the book has won numerous accolades, including the Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction and inclusion on Time magazine’s list of must-read books.

“Throughout this academic year, Saeed Jones’s telling of his personal history has sparked conversations, connections and new understanding on our campuses and beyond,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, president of Owens Community College. “We’re excited to host Mr. Jones to conclude the Big Read experience of his memoir and consider its implications on our own lives. I’m also proud to commend Professor Hazel and Director Berger on their shepherding of this year’s program and look forward to seeing what next year’s Big Read brings.”

WHO: Author Saeed Jones

WHAT: The Big Read Presents: Saeed Jones

WHEN: Thursday, April 28

WHERE: CFPA Theatre (10 a.m.), Toledo-area Campus; and Education Center 111 (1:30 p.m.), Findlay-area campus

LINK: https://owens-edu.zoom.us/j/83905535192 (10 a.m. only)

For more on Owens Community College’s Big Read, visit owens.edu/humanities/read.

College Receives Nearly $190,000 from State of Ohio for In-Demand Job Training

Posted on April 11th, 2022

The Ohio Department of Higher Education has invested nearly $190,000 in Owens Community College to create the Ohio Short-Term Certificate Grant Program allowing in-state students to receive up to $2,000 in need-based aid toward the cost of in-demand, career certificates.

Eligible students may apply and receive up to three different awards, provided the certificates are completed in succession.

These certificates include 26 credit and non-credit options in manufacturing and skilled trades, pre-apprenticeships, health support professions, logistics, office support, sales and first responders. Credit certificates are 30 hours or less, while non-credit certificates are 900 clock hours or less.

“We are excited to bring this opportunity to Owens Community College students,” said Dr. Denise Smith, Owens Provost and Chief Academic Officer. “After they complete their short-term certificate or credential, they will be prepared for licensure, if it’s required for employment, or they will be able to take the next step in a career pathway.”

Students may apply online for the Ohio Short-Term Certificate Grant Program funds immediately using the online application at www.owens.edu/financial_aid/scholarships/. The total award of $186,966 is available until June 30, 2023.

For more information, email the Owens Community College Office of Admissions at admissions@owens.edu.

COLLEGE CELEBRATES PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH JEN HAZEL FOR NATIONAL AWARD

Posted on April 4th, 2022

PERRYSBURG, Ohio – Owens Community College Professor of English Jen Hazel has been selected for the 2022 Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). Awarded to select individuals who make a difference in community college classrooms across the United States, this highly competitive national designation honors faculty who are active in their students’ lives and in their colleges’ activities to ensure student success.

“My passion for teaching runs deep, so I was honored to be nominated for this award,” Professor Hazel said. “Owens is such a great place to work; I know I am making a difference here. This award motivates me to continue doing the work I love and supporting our students, both in and outside of the classroom.”

“Speaking on behalf of the entire Owens community, I am thrilled for Jen and applaud the award committee’s recognition of what she has achieved,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, President of Owens Community College. “Her passion is evident from her many committee activities, her efforts to increase student access to Open Education Resources (OER) and her commitment to providing rich and relevant learning experiences for all. Jen consistently goes above and beyond to find ways that each student can learn, and we are so fortunate to have her on our team.”

Professor Hazel has taught at Owens for 15 years. In addition to her classroom instruction, she serves as the campus Assessment Lead and on the Completion, Center for Teaching and Innovation Implementation, and Opening Week teams. Professor Hazel also co-chairs the Curriculum Committee and the BIG Read and chairs the Oregon Road Film Series and The Silo committees. In the Humanities Department, where she is the Program Director, she currently spearheads the effort to embed tutoring into Composition I courses and is incorporating OER materials into other courses, including Composition II, to ensure students have access to the support and materials they need to succeed.

This is the second straight year that Owens faculty have been recognized nationally for teaching excellence, demonstrating the quality instruction students receive at the College. Associate Professor of Math Sarah Long received the Distinguished Faculty Recognition in 2021. In addition to AACC recognition, award winners also receive a custom commemorative medal and are further celebrated at a private reception during the AACC Annual Convention, which will be held in New York City from April 30–May 3 this year.

Owens Community College to Award 459 Associate Degrees at Fall Commencement ceremonies

Posted on December 13th, 2021

Owens Community College will award 459 associate degrees at the 41st Fall Commencement ceremonies scheduled Friday, December 17 at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts theatre on the Toledo-area Campus in Perrysburg.

Owens President Dione D. Somerville, Ed.D., will preside over her first Commencement since taking leadership at the College in June of this year.

Featuring graduates from both campus locations, including 33 who completed their studies at the Findlay-area Campus, the Commencement ceremonies are scheduled at 10 a.m. for the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics; at 1 p.m. for the School of Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety and School of Liberal Arts; and at 4 p.m. for the School of Nursing and Health Professions.

“An Owens degree is a milestone achievement. It represents an opportunity for anyone motivated to earn it – regardless of age, educational background, financial or housing status, or family situation – and our Fall 2021 class prove how beautifully Owens provides a path for so many people from all walks of life,” Dr. Somerville said.

More than 100 graduates with honors (3.5 grade-point average and above) as well as 12 outstanding academic program graduates will be among those recognized at the ceremonies. Outstanding graduates receive top honors based on wide-ranging success measures.

Outstanding Criminal Justice Award recipient Zackary McCloud of Maumee is a first generation college graduate after being the first in his family to graduate high school in 2006 in suburban Las Vegas. More than 50 percent of Owens students are first generation, meaning their parents do not have a degree from a college or university. Data is not available for a graduate such as McCloud, whose parents also did not have a high school diploma.

The son of drug addicts, he spent part of his childhood in foster care when his mother was dealing with legal issues. After high school graduation, he enlisted in the Army and served 13 years active duty with multiple combat deployments in the Middle East. The 34-year-old disabled Army veteran settled locally with his wife, Kara, also an Army veteran and an Owens student. A father of three, he is one of 12 student veterans in the graduating class.

Graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors and a 4.0 GPA, he will continue at Owens next semester to complete an Associate of Science degree in psychology and then he said he plans to transfer to the University of Toledo to continue his education.

“I’m a full-time student, a full-time husband and a full-time dad,” he said. “My goal is to open a halfway house with my wife to help people who are struggling like I did when I was younger. I want to share my story with them so they know that there is a path forward.”

In addition to McCloud, Outstanding Graduates are:

Outstanding Graduate in Business Technologies: Rebecca Shake, Business Management, Toledo
Outstanding Graduate in Food, Nutrition and Hospitality: McKenzi Tatum, Culinary Arts, Toledo
Gerald Bazer Outstanding Arts and Sciences Graduate: Ryan Jewell, Communications, Sylvania
Outstanding Graduate in Applied Engineering and Industrial Technology: Megan A. Malarcher, Environmental Science Concentration, Toledo
Outstanding Graduate in Welding Technology: Austen Nissen, Welding Major, Perrysburg
Peggy Bensman: Abena Atwimah, Registered Nursing Program, Columbus, Ohio
Barbara Rood Student Choice: Brionna Davis, Registered Nursing Program, Toledo; Eunice Dosu Registered Nursing Program, Maumee; Ryan Hall, Registered Nursing Program, Tecumseh, Michigan; Alexander Hartzell, Registered Nursing Program, Waterville; Janelle Nighswander, Registered Nursing Program, Ottawa Lake, Michigan

Owens Receives $1.16 Million Grant to Improve Adult College Readiness

Posted on December 1st, 2021

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 1, 2021 – Adults interested in pursuing higher education but unsure where to begin now have additional resources available at Owens Community College thanks to a $1.16 million Educational Opportunities Center (EOC) program grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Owens will receive $235,050 per year for five years to help unemployed workers, low-wage workers, and returning high school and college students enter or continue a program of postsecondary education. These resources are available to members of the northwest Ohio communities, regardless of which higher educational institution they choose to attend.

“The EOC grant will allow Owens to further our commitment to making higher education accessible to the members of our community,” Denise Smith, Ph.D., provost and vice president of academic affairs, said. “Our goal is to assist adult students in their pursuit of continuing education or higher education by providing one-on-one support in obtaining their high school diploma or equivalent, connecting them with the college admissions application process and increasing their financial literacy and understanding of student financial aid options.”

Educational Opportunities Centers are one of eight federal grant programs known as the Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO), which are authorized by the Higher Education Act to help low-income, first-generation students and student with disabilities succeed in higher education. These programs assist in advancing these individuals from middle school to post-baccalaureate programs.

For more information on Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu or call the admissions office at (567) 661-7777. For more information on the EOC program, please contact erica_parish@owens.edu.

Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College and the University of Findlay Establish Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics

Posted on November 12th, 2021

In a unique partnership to meet Northwest Ohio’s growing need for a highly-trained workforce, three area educational institutions have come together to establish the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics.

The Center will be overseen by representatives from Bowling Green State University, Owens Community College and the University of Findlay and will work with area employers in the Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics sectors to identify and anticipate their immediate, mid-term and long-term needs in workforce training, talent development, innovation, automation, systems integration and supply chain management.

In addition, the Center will serve as a centralized resource where the business community can bring specific workforce needs for customized training solutions. The idea for the Center originated in consistent feedback from regional companies regarding the need for growing and enhancing talent to drive success.

“As an institution of opportunity with decades of history in Findlay, we know this partnership will help to meet workforce demands in advanced manufacturing and logistics. This Center will serve as a model for northwest Ohio and beyond as more institutions of higher education look to power economic development in more meaningful and strategic ways,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, president of Owens Community College.

The training and instructional programs will be provided across three locations (Findlay, Bowling Green, Perrysburg) and will range from on-degree track certificates and badges, to degree track curricula for associate, bachelor’s and post-graduate degrees. The Center will also focus on facilitating a wide range of co-op and internship opportunities.

“The Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics demonstrates the power of a four-year public university, a two-year public community college and a private four-year university all coming together to partner and to demonstrate our relevance to Ohio and beyond,” said BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers. “This partnership is one example of how we are meeting workforce demands by connecting education and listening and responding to industry needs.

“We are fortunate to live, learn and work in a vibrant and collaborative community,” stated Dr. Katherine Fell, president of the University of Findlay. “Having a dynamic and flexible mechanism for intentional workforce development is vital the continued growth of our region.”

Owens Community College Invests in Workforce Training by Opening $9.6M Dana Center

Posted on October 4th, 2021

Owens Community College will host a grand opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Wednesday, October 6 to showcase the $9.6 million Dana Incorporated Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, a facility created in response to labor market needs for the purpose of preparing skilled workers for in-demand jobs.

Also known as the Dana Center, the renovated 59,000-square-foot facility provides students with highly technical training in advanced manufacturing and the skilled trades. The Dana Center is located at 458 Depot Road, Perrysburg on the Owens’ Toledo-area Campus.

“This ceremony will allow us to publicly thank Dana Incorporated for making the lead gift that helped create the Dana Center for students of today and tomorrow,” Dr. Dione D. Somerville, Owens Community College President, said. “We would also like to thank the Gene Haas Foundation, JobsOhio and all of the donors whose contributions made this facility possible. This center helps Owens fulfill its goal of working in partnership with business and industry to advance economic development in the region.”

SSOE Group received the 2020 Excellence in Workforce Development Award by the Ohio Economic Development Associations (OEDA) for the Dana Center’s design that provides highly technical and integrated training in a modern setting with amenities including natural lighting, glass walls and polished floors – a clean and safe environment conducive to learning.

Midwest Contracting, Inc. was the general contractor.

The ceremony will conclude with a ribbon cutting and then guests will have the opportunity to tour the Dana Center’s labs and classrooms. Light refreshments will be available.

The College’s academic offerings began in 1965 with four associate degree programs, including two leading to careers related to advanced manufacturing. Today, Owens offers more than 70 associate degree programs and certificates, with more than 20 connected to the advanced manufacturing industry.

More information about the Dana Center is available at www.owens.edu/danacenter.

Owens Community College Welcomes Students, Faculty and Staff to Toledo- and Findlay-Area Campuses

Posted on August 24th, 2021

New College president Dr. Dione D. Somerville kicks off academic year, athletics

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College began its 2021–22 academic year with Opening Week all-campus meetings led by the institution’s new president, Dr. Dione D. Somerville. Fall Semester will begin on Monday, August 30.

Owens will offer a variety of class options this fall, including in-person, traditional online, hybrid and synchronous online courses. At September’s Fall Fest event, students will also be able to begin getting involved in campus organizations and taking advantage of everything Owens has to offer. Dr. Somerville met with faculty and staff on Monday, August 23 to update them on the state of the College.

“Speaking for the entire Owens community, I am so excited to move forward together this school year as we embark on a new semester and a new Owens Express athletics season,” said Dr. Somerville. During her presentations at the Toledo- and Findlay-area campuses, Dr. Somerville noted the following highlights:

Owens awarded 970 degrees and certificates in Spring 2021 and 1,841 degrees and certificates in 2020.
Assistant Professor of Broadcast Technology Rob Thomas won Owens’ first Presidential Teaching Award.
The Coalition on Adult Basic Education named Aspire Program Director Heath Huber Outstanding Administrator of the Year. Workforce and Community Services faculty Dionne Dolsey and Lisa Dowling both won Outstanding Teachers of the Year.
The American Association of Community Colleges awarded the Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty Recognition to Sarah Long, Associate Professor of Mathematics.
The baseball team had a 35-15 overall record in 2021, won the Great Lakes District and Region XII Championships and were College World Series Qualifiers.
The softball team had a 13-7 overall record in 2021 and won the Great Lakes District and Division III Region XII Championships.
With the allocation of CARES Act grant funding, the Counseling Services Office hired a third full-time counselor to provide more mental health support to the community.
More than $12 million in financial relief has been allocated to students since the onset of the pandemic.

Owens Adds Late Enrollment Event for Community Members

Posted on August 5th, 2021

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – New students still considering their higher education options will have the opportunity to get started at Owens Community College during Success Express Day on Friday, August 13.

The event will be held from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. on the Toledo-area Campus, located at 30355 Oregon Road, Perrysburg. All attendees will receive a customized campus tour.

“Our faculty and academic chairs will be available to meet with students. So will our financial aid staff, who will talk about the FAFSA and how affordable an Owens education is,” Amy Giordano, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services, said. “We want to help students gather the information they need. We want them to know there’s still time for a successful start at Owens.”

Interested students attending Success Express Day will have an opportunity to complete an application and take next steps toward enrollment for Fall Semester, which begins Monday, August 30.

“Students have so many options at Owens, whether they are degree-seeking, want a career certificate to help with job placement, or plan to earn credits and then transfer for a bachelor’s degree,” Giordano said. “Our staff will also help students if they are undecided on their future plans. What’s important is to attend Success Express Day and start the process.”

An RSVP is required to attend Success Express Day. RSVP at owens.edu/success.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SELECTS DR. DIONE SOMERVILLE AS EIGHTH PRESIDENT

Posted on May 5th, 2021

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 5, 2021 – Following a five-month nationally advertised search by AGB search, the board of trustees for Owens Community College has named Dr. Dione Somerville the institution’s new president. The appointment was announced following today’s board meeting. Her start date is scheduled for June 15.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Dr. Dione Somerville to Owens Community College as its 8th president,” stated Mary Beth Hammond, chair, Owens Board of Trustees. “We look forward to Dr. Somerville’s involvement with our students, faculty, staff, community, and Board of Trustees. The Board is confident that with her leadership, the College will continue to grow and thrive in Northwest Ohio as a strong community partner while helping our students be prepared for successful and rewarding careers in the surrounding communities.”

Dr. Somerville began her 27-year career in higher education as the assistant director, Campus Programming at Ursuline College, Pepper Pike, Ohio, before taking leadership positions at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine, Lorain County Community College, Iowa State University, Bloomsburg University and Hawkeye Community College.

Her most recent position was as executive vice president at Hawkeye Community College. Among her accomplishments, she leads the college’s COVID-19 response, including helping provide leadership to Academic Affairs during the six-month vacancy of the provost position. Responsibilities also include leading enrollment efforts, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, strategic planning, and creating a Division of Student Affairs. Prior to Hawkeye, Dr. Somerville was vice president for student affairs at Bloomsburg University. In this position, she provided leadership for Bloomsburg’s regional accreditation and the creation of the university’s first Division of Strategic Enrollment Management. She envisioned the student wellness initiative, focusing on mental health and dependency on alcohol and other drugs. Dr. Somerville provided leadership to create the Center for Leadership and Engagement, Center for Diversity and Inclusion, modernize Greek Life, expand intercollegiate athletics, facilitate assessment, and complete fundraising efforts. Dr. Somerville oversaw the University Master Plan process, the revitalization of university housing, and the completion of Soltz Hall, a $61.4 million multi-function building inclusive of the mailroom, bookstore, integrative learning, two dining venues, and nearly 400 suite-style beds.

“I am truly honored and humbled to be selected as president of Owens Community College,” said Dr. Somerville. “I value Owens’ legacy as an institution that creates opportunity for its students and greater community and will strive to further that tradition. I look forward to working in partnership with the students, faculty, staff, Board of Trustees, and the community to continue Owens’ forward momentum.”

Dr. Somerville earned a doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University, and a bachelor’s degree in English/Writing from Ohio Northern University. She was a Fellow at the Association of Governing Boards Institute for Leadership and Governance in its inaugural year. She also participated in the Harvard University Institute for Education Management and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Millennium Leadership Institute.

She has been very active in her local community, having served on the Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital Community Advisory Board, the City of Ames Student Affairs Commission, and Ames Police Community Relations Advisory Committee.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AWARDED CHOOSE OHIO FIRST GRANT FOR STEM SCHOLARSHIPS

Posted on April 28th, 2021

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 28, 2021 – Students pursuing degrees in the critical fields of science technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) at Owens Community College will be eligible for additional scholarships, thanks to the Choose Ohio First (COF) Grant program announced by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) earlier this month.

“This important grant from the ODHE will allow Owens to help even more students thrive on their path to successful STEM careers,” said Bill Balzer, interim president, Owens Community College. “This additional financial support will provide many students with the additional resources they need to prepare for in-demand jobs and grow Ohio’s talent pipeline. This is all possible thanks to the vision and advocacy of Lieutenant Governor Husted and ODHE Chancellor Randy Gardner.”

The grant will provide $278,100 over five years to recruit and support cohorts of 10-15 students during their educational journey. Students pursuing one of Owens’ more than 75 STEM-focused degrees and certificates are awarded up to $1,500 per semester for fall and spring semesters only.

Part of the COF scholarship program at Owens includes a partnership with Bowling Green State University to assist students looking to transfer to BGSU to pursue a bachelor’s degree in STEM. This partnership provides a four-year degree pathway with an emphasis in robotics for the following programs:

Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Pre-Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Electronics & Computer Engineering Technology
Engineering Technology

The Choose Ohio First Scholarship Program is a $100 million investment to be awarded over five years, targeting universities and colleges recruiting Ohio residents into current STEM programs, supporting the increased success of students in those fields, and making substantive improvements to the pipeline of STEM students and STEM educators. Participating institutions award scholarships to students based on need and merit.

For more information about Owens’ School of STEM, please visit www.owens.edu/stem.

For more information on the Choose Ohio First program, visit www.ohiohighered.org/cof.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH REUP EDUCATION TO OFFER ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS RETURNING TO COLLEGE

Posted on March 31st, 2021

ReUp Education’s combination of predictive analytics and personalized support will help students return to school and complete their degree

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March 31, 2021 – Owens Community College announced a new initiative to provide a pathway to graduation for students with some education experience but no degree. Developed through a partnership with U.S. startup ReUp Education, the effort will use sophisticated analytics technology, as well as personalized coaching and mentorship to help Owens identify, contact, and support the reentry of stopout students.

“We are very eager to begin implementing this new initiative with ReUp Education,” stated Amy Giordano, vice president, Enrollment Management and Student Services. “Students returning to school have different needs and goals compared to first-time students. This partnership will allow us to offer additional personalized support to this largely underserved population and give them a pathway to complete their degree. Student success is our mission and we want to ensure that students have the tools they need, no matter where they are on their educational journey.”

Completing a college degree has profound impacts on social and economic mobility. Earning a degree translates to an average of $1 million additional earnings over a lifetime. In the U.S., college graduates are half as likely to be unemployed as those with a high school degree. During the economic upheaval caused by the COVID-19 crisis, helping students complete their studies will be even more critical to fulfilling the promise of tertiary education as an engine of economic opportunity.

Owen’s new partnership with ReUp is designed to help remove these barriers and support students throughout the re-enrollment process. Owens is also a member of the ReUp Network — the national on-ramp for college completion. Comprising innovative partner colleges and universities offering unique programs, the Network creates a more dynamic and equitable ecosystem to meet every student’s needs by becoming the easiest way for stop-outs to return or transfer to Owens — to earn their degree and improve their lives.

“ReUp Education helps students across the country achieve their educational goals. As a resident of Toledo, Ohio, I am excited to bring our support services to students locally by partnering with Owens Community College. It is a privilege to partner with Owens, an institution committed to fostering student and community success by offering quality, accessible education opportunities and focusing on positive student outcomes.” said ReUp Education CEO, Sarah Horn.

ReUp Education helps colleges and universities engage and re-enroll stopout students through a unique blend of predictive analytics technology, data, and personalized coaching. Once students have returned to school, ReUp provides ongoing support to foster personal accountability, encouragement, and guidance to equip students with the tools to persist and succeed.

About ReUp Education

ReUp Education is the expert in understanding, engaging, and re-enrolling stopout students. Through its unique blend of data, technology, and specialized coaching, ReUp has engaged more than 400,000 stopout students across a wide range of universities and helped re-enroll over 14,000 students. ReUp is based in San Francisco and is funded by leading education and social impact investors, including Entangled Ventures, University Ventures, Serious Change Investments, and The Impact Engine.

OWENS ANNOUNCED AS FINALIST FOR NATIONAL AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE

Posted on March 23rd, 2021

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March. 23, 2021 – Owens Community College has been named a finalist in two categories – Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership and Students Success – for the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) 2021 Awards of Excellence. The national awards recognize exceptional work among the nation’s two-year colleges.

Owens is one of twelve community colleges and the only one from Ohio to be recognized as a finalist for the AACC 2021 Awards of Excellence.

“We are pleased to be recognized by the AACC as finalists for our corporate partnerships and student success initiatives,” stated Bill Balzer, interim president, Owens Community College. “Fostering success for both students and our community is our mission and we are extremely proud of all the amazing work being done by our exceptional faculty and staff.”

The Outstanding College/Corporate Partnership Award honors local, regional and national collaboration between a college and corporate partner that has achieved demonstrable, multi-year success in advancing the mission of the institution(s), the economic prosperity of a community, region or the nation, and the learning excellence of students.

Owens has been recognized for its partnership with Raise the Bar Hancock County and eight Findlay-Hancock County manufacturers to launch the Ohio Federation for Advanced Manufacturing Education (OH! FAME) program.

“What makes this partnership successful is the role the businesses play. They are active in developing curriculum, guest speakers, board members, and much more,” said Tracy Campbell, assistant director, Advanced Manufacturing and FAME. “Each student has an employer mentor as well as a college success coach to help guide them on their career path along with their educational path. It is a pleasure to be able to work with the students and employers to help fill the needs of the region.”

The Student Success Award recognizes a community college that has demonstrated, through evidence, a sustained commitment to proactively advancing the cause of student success at a community college.

Over the past two years, the College has transformed its student placement processes and how to improve underprepared students’ success. The College has moved from a single measure of placement to a more holistic approach using multiple criteria and student feedback to provide more accurate placement.

In addition, the College embarked on a complete review of all its associate degrees to decrease both the number of credit hours required and time until completion. The majority of programs now have clear pathways to completion in 60-65 credit hours by streamlining the choice of program courses and removing unnecessary elective credits.

AACC’s Awards of Excellence underscores the association’s priorities and brings national visibility to promising practices among its member colleges.

Nominees will be judged by a select committee of the AACC Board of Directors. The winners will be announced at the Awards of Excellence Virtual Gala during AACC Digital in May 2021.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERS FREE DENTAL HYGIENE DAY FOR KIDS

Posted on February 25th, 2021

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2021 – According to the American Dental Hygiene Association (ADHA), tooth decay is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting 60 percent of children ages 5 to 17 and 25 percent of children under the age of 5. These statistics are why Owens Dental Hygiene Department has provided dental care to the underserved for 15 years at its annual Give Kids A Smile event. Due to the overwhelming response to the event this year, the Dental Hygiene Department is offering additional free Dental Hygiene Days for kids.

“This year, due to COVID, we still provided much-needed services to help with access-to-care issues in our community but on a smaller scale, stated Beth Tronolone, chair, Owens Dental Hygiene Program. “The event was a great success. Appointments filled up within a week, demonstrating the need for access to dental care for children in our community. In response, we are offering anyone that could not make the event an opportunity to schedule a free appointment.”

The ADHA believes that the secret to oral health for life is establishing a healthy dental hygiene routine from the start. When parents understand more about nutrition, fluoride, brushing habits, flossing, rinsing, and more, they start to see that prevention is the key to success.

To schedule an appointment, area residents should call (567) 661-7294 and ask for the Free Dental Hygiene Day for kids. An appointment will be booked during regular dental hygiene clinic hours.

“At Owens, we feel privileged to assist in this long-standing tradition to bridge the gap between providing dental hygiene care and access-to-care issues,” said Tronolone.

Per CDC guidelines, the clinic is limiting the number of children per day to ensure a safe environment.

Owens’ Dental Hygiene program also offers dental services to area residents through its Dental Hygiene Clinic. The 20-chair clinic is staffed by dental hygiene students and supervised by licensed dental professionals at Owens. The clinic provides dental care in the form of exams by a dentist, x-rays, oral hygiene and nutritional education, dental cleanings, fluoride varnish and restorative treatment needs if necessary. Appointments usually are available during the Fall and Spring semesters for a $35 fee.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERS SAFE INDIVIDUALIZED TOURS FOR POTENTIAL STUDENTS

Posted on February 4th, 2021

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Feb. 4, 2021 – The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many of the experiences that first-time students have come to expect when planning for college. Still, Owens Community College is committed to giving potential students as full experience as possible in a safe environment. Owens will be offering individualized tours during its annual President’s Day Preview, Mon., Feb. 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“We are finding that prospective students and their families want to come to campus and see our great facilities and we want to welcome them safely,” said Erin Kramer, Owens director of Admissions. “We have found that providing individualized tours is a safe way to show families around. It’s a great opportunity to see what Owens is about.”

Prospective students will be given personal tour guides and can choose the academic areas they want to see and ask any questions they may have. Admission representatives will also help fill out applications and explain the next steps that students need to take.

Each student is welcome to bring one guest with them on tour, but they must wear masks and adhere to social distancing practices.

Tours will take place on the Toledo-area Campus and last approximately one hour.

Participants can schedule an appointment at www.owens.edu/visit/presidentsday/.

For more information, please contact Admissions at (567) 661-7777 or admissions@owens.edu.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TEACHERS GO BACK TO SCHOOL TO EXPAND ONLINE-TEACHING SKILLS

Posted on February 1st, 2021

Ultimate goal is improving student success

Ten faculty members from Owens Community College have jumped at the chance to improve their online teaching skills by participating in a 25-week Effective Online Teaching Practices course offered in collaboration with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE).

The teachers will be joining more than 150 faculty members from 22 Ohio community colleges as they learn and implement equity-promoting, evidence-based teaching practices shown to improve student engagement, persistence, course completion, and learning.

The program is part of a collaboration between the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) and the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE). ACUE programs in effective teaching practices are based on more than three decades of research that demonstrates effective teaching improves learning for all students.

Considered a graduate-level course, the program consists of 25 modules separated into four blocks—Creating an Inclusive and Supportive Online Learning Environment, Promoting Active Learning Online, Inspiring Inquiry and Lifelong Learning in Your Online Course, and Designing an Effective Course.

Equity-promoting teaching practices are among the hundreds of recommended approaches that faculty learn about and develop in ACUE courses, as demonstrated in ACUE’s Inclusive and Equitable Teaching Curriculum Crosswalk.

Faculty will be teaching classes at Owens while taking the course, which begins this month, so they will use what they learn immediately. Faculty who satisfy program requirement will be awarded ACUE’s Certificate in Effective College Instruction, the only nationally-recognized college teaching credential endorsed by the American Council on Education.

The opportunity is offered free of charge to faculty through a partnership between ACUE and OACC’s Success Center as part of the Every Learner Everywhere (ELE) initiative—and was made possible by Achieving the Dream (ATD), an ELE network partner.

Jack Hershey, president and chief executive officer of the OACC, said the training will teach faculty ways to keep their online courses fresh and impactful.

“We are working hard to level the playing field to close equity gaps among Ohio students,” Hershey said. “Offering this course to faculty is one more way to do that.”

OWENS SELECTED AS THE NEWEST GENE HAAS CNC MACHINING LAB

Posted on October 27th, 2020

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 27, 2020 – The strong partnerships between Owens Community College, Haas Automation, Inc., HFO Midwest and the Gene Haas Foundation has been taken to the next level as the Gene Haas Foundation recently awarded a $250,000 grant for naming rights to the new Owens Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center’s Computer Numeric Control (CNC) Machining Lab. The 7,000-square-foot space will be known as the Gene Haas CNC Machining Lab and will feature several Haas CNC machine tools to prepare students for high-paying manufacturing jobs.

The Haas Foundation grant follows the 2019 gift from Dana Incorporated for which the advanced manufacturing training center is named.

“Our Dana Center, including the Gene Hass CNC Machining lab, demonstrates the college’s commitment to specialized training in advanced manufacturing and related fields,” said Bill Balzer, interim president, Owens Community College. “This generous grant from the Gene Haas Foundation enhances our strong, long-standing partnership to ensure meeting the region’s employment and training needs for many years to come.”

Students pursuing a mechanical major are instructed in drafting, machine design and repair and machining principles, which may include tool and die design and detailing, fluid power applications and CNC applications. In addition to theory and hands-on instruction, students will take courses such as communications, industrial psychology, management and applied statistical process control.

The Gene Haas CNC Machining lab is a premiere educational space for students, incumbent workers, individuals, and companies who seek hands-on training and advanced skills needed by Northwest Ohio’s regional manufacturing-based employers. Additionally, the lab will be dedicated to students pursuing many degrees and certificates, including Applied Engineering Technology, CAD Technology, Skilled Trades Mechanical, Industrial Mechanic Certificate, Tool & Die/Mold Making, Welding and more.

“I’m extremely proud of the evolution of our partnership with Owens Community College (OCC) and congratulate them on being awarded a $250,000 grant by the Gene Haas Foundation!” states Dave Tucker, president of HFO Midwest. “Owen’s Community College was one of our earliest Haas Technical Education Center (HTEC) success stories, going back more than 20 years. Our early adoption of the HTEC program has proven to be a winning proposition for all stakeholders, as well as the manufacturing communities we serve. I’m confident that the new Gene Haas CNC Machining Lab at Owens will prepare students for a great career in manufacturing by educating them on the most popular and advanced CNC machine tools currently in use.”

Owens regional business partners have expressed an urgent need for additional training to meet the predicted 2,118 new jobs in advanced manufacturing over the next five years. The Gene Haas Foundation’s continued investment in Owens will provide additional hands-on training to students and increase skilled personnel entering the workforce.

“Owens Community College is a known pillar in the region for delivering advanced manufacturing training opportunities,” Adds Toni Neary, director of education, Morris Group, Inc., Haas Tower Services. “We have fostered an amazing partnership with Owens Community College including housing our local showroom on campus, working pro-actively in the HTEC (Haas Technical Education Center) network and with annual grants for student scholarships from the Gene Haas Foundation. This takes our partnership to the next level.”

Approximately 200 to 300 credit and non-credit students utilize the CNC lab annually while completing Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) courses.

The Dana Center focuses on expanding and preparing new and incumbent skilled workers in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. The 59,000-square-foot facility features six skilled technology labs, including computer-aided design (CAD), CNC and manual machining, electrical, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and alternative energy, mechanical and pneumatics, and robotics and programmable logic controller (PLC).

For more information on the Dana Center or the Gene Haas CNC Machining Lab, please visit owens.edu/danacenter.

About the Gene Haas Foundation
Founded by Haas in 1999, the Gene Haas Foundation has awarded more than 50 million dollars to deserving charities and educational institutions. The Foundation was formed to fund the needs of the local community and to support manufacturing education. The foundation provides scholarship funds to community colleges and vocational schools for students entering technical training programs, especially machinist-based certificate and degree programs as well as supports youth programs that inspire young people to consider manufacturing careers.

About HFO Midwest
Haas Factory Outlet (www.hfomidwest.com) a division of Midwest Manufacturing Resources, Inc., has been supporting the manufacturing community of Ohio, Kentucky and West Virginia for over 25 years as the exclusive distributor for Haas CNC machine tools, rotary products and automation. Offices are located in Springboro (Cincinnati-Dayton) and Twinsburg (Cleveland). Each facility offers showrooms for demonstrations, training and services.

ACADEMY IS FIRST IN NATION TO IMMERSE MID-LEVEL LEADERS IN SUCCESS MODELS

Posted on October 16th, 2020

Participants Include Two from Owens Community College

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 16, 2020 – Two leaders from Owens Community College have graduated as fellows of the first Ohio Leadership Academy for Student Success.

OACC Recognition Photo Erica Parish, dean, Accreditation and Academic Support and David Shaffer, executive director, Student Services were among more than 40 leaders representing all of Ohio’s community colleges that graduated Oct. 2, 2020, as part of the academy, organized by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC). It is the first of its kind in the nation to gather mid-level administrators, faculty and staff for a year of leadership development, exchanging ideas and immersion in how to promote student success.

“The fellows learned how to more effectively lead the many changes underway at our colleges – transformational changes – to improve student success,” said Laura Rittner, executive director of the OACC’s Success Center for Ohio Community Colleges. “We brought together people who have different roles at colleges so they could have a deeper understanding of how college leaders can work together to usher in these student success models.”

The president of each of the state’s community colleges could nominate two employees as fellows. They met six times throughout the year for two-day meetings, first in person and then online as the pandemic took hold. Sessions were relevant to Ohio specifically and included aspects of the Aspen Institute’s presidential leadership curriculum. Fellows also worked on projects in small groups between sessions.

“The Ohio Leadership Academy gave me a greater understanding how the budget process and other decisions made at the state-level affect what happens on our campus and in turn affect the success of students,” said Parish. “This experience was worthwhile and something that I would highly recommend to other college leaders.”

The academy was funded by several national organizations, so colleges had minimal expenses to participate. Next year’s academy will begin early in 2021, Rittner said, in the hopes that some sessions can be held in person.

The OACC represents the presidents and trustees of the state’s 23 public two-year institutions that work to advance community colleges through policy advocacy and professional development. For more information, please visit www.OhioCommunityColleges.Org.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERS STUDENTS A NEW FAST TRACK PROGRAM

Posted on September 15th, 2020

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 15, 2020 – Owens Community College is offering a new fast track program that puts students on an accelerated path to earning their degree. The program is designed to provide academic and personal support that aims to close the completion gap by helping students finish their degree or certificate in three years or less from the time they join the program.

“This is a small program designed to have a large impact on a specific population,” said James Jackson, director, Fast Track Program. “We want to help close the equity gap for students who come to Owens with few academic, economic and family resources and help them complete their degree as quickly as possible.”

Fast Track is based on a national model being used at several schools around the country, including in New York, New Jersey and California, to name a few.

Students are required to enroll full time (12 credits) and meet with a success coach twice a month, who will assist them with navigating their degree pathway, campus culture and learning to juggle their competing demands such as family responsibilities and work. Students participating in the program will have access to Fast Track Program activities, events and resources where they will meet fellow students and learn new skills. They will also receive a $50 a month incentive, as long as they remain eligible by meeting the program’s expectations.

Eligible Students must:

Have accumulated less than 24 college credits
Be able to enroll in at least 12 credits per semester
Fill out a financial aid application (FAFSA)
Not currently be a participant in TRIO or other Student Support Services

Placement in the program is limited to 60 students for the 2020-21 academic year and the deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 25. Interested students should fill out an application and email it to james_jackson11@owens.edu.

OWENS OFFERING NEW SCHOLARSHIP FOR CLASS OF 2020 WHOSE EDUCATIONAL PLANS HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY COVID-19

Posted on September 1st, 2020

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 1, 2020 – Owens Community College is offering members of the Class of 2020 the unique opportunity to continue their academic path at Owens with the Spring Start: High School Class of 2020 Scholarship. This scholarship is a $500 non-need-based award intended to provide new graduates whose educational plans may have changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic the assistance they need to start their journey in the spring and keep their education on track. Eligible students would be awarded a scholarship for the 2021 Spring Semester. An additional $250 scholarship would be awarded for the 2021 Summer semester to those Spring 2021 scholarship recipients who continue to meet eligibility requirements.

“With this unique initiative Owens hopes to demonstrate to our area high schools and community the College’s ongoing commitment to increasing college enrollment and student success as part of our strategic plan and our critical role in the northwest Ohio higher education ecosystem,” stated Amy K. Giordano, vice president, Enrollment Management and Student Services.

A recent survey by Junior Achievement and Citizens Bank (COVID Impact Survey) found that nearly half of high school juniors and seniors (44%) say COVID-19 has impacted their plans to pay for college. The survey also found that 30% say that COVID-19 is impacting their expected college start date.

Owens own enrollment trends show that these uncertainties especially affect the direct from high school students from the larger, public urban high schools with these student numbers behind prior year enrollment trends. With this new scholarship, Owens provides students who delayed their college career this additional financial assistance and wrap around support services to help ensure they don’t find themselves falling behind in their educational journey.

“This scholarship, open to all eligible students regardless of need, will reduce Owens already low cost for the 2021 Spring Semester,” said Giordano.

Requirements for the new scholarship are:

Must be a member of the Class of 2020 from our legal service district (Lucas, Wood, Hancock and parts of Ottawa and Sandusky counties) who have not yet enrolled in college or university post-graduation
Must be enrolled in 12 credit hours as of Spring 2021 census date
Must be degree or certificate-seeking
Must have completed FAFSA on file
For Summer 2021 students must be enrolled in six credit hours, and maintaining a 2.0 GPA

If you are interested in this scholarship and would like to learn more, please contact Amy K. Giordano at amy_giordano@owens.edu.

OWENS AWARDED $254,261 TO HELP LOW INCOME, FIRST GENERATION, AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES SUCCEED

Posted on August 18th, 2020

Federal Student Support Services grant awarded every five years

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug.18, 2020 – The U.S. Department of Education announced that Owens Community College will receive a federal Student Support Services (SSS) grant to help more students succeed in and graduate from college. TRIO SSS has been at Owens Community College since September 2015 and has served over 200 students.

SSS helps college students who are low income, first-generation (those whose parents do not have a four-year college degree) or students with disabilities. The array of services the grant will provide are comprehensive and will include academic tutoring, financial aid advice, career and college mentoring, help in choosing courses, and other forms of assistance. Such services enhance academic success and make it more likely that students will graduate or transfer with the lowest possible debt. Many Student Support Services alumni have gone on to great success, among them Emmy, Tony and Academy-Award winning actress Viola Davis, U.S. Rep. Gwendolyn Moore of Wisconsin’s 4th District and Franklin Chang-Diaz, the first Hispanic astronaut.

SSS began in 1968 and is one of the eight federal “TRIO” programs authorized by the Higher Education Act to help college students succeed in higher education. It recognizes that students whose parents do not have a college degree have more difficulties navigating the complexity of decisions that college requires for success; it bolsters students from low-income families who have not had the academic opportunities that their college peers have had and helps students with disabilities remove obstacles preventing them from thriving academically.

We are excited about the opportunity to continue to serve students at Owens Community College. The grant proposal team consisted of members from across the Owens community: Heidi Altomare, Director of Grants; Dr. Denise Smith, Vice President of Academic Affairs/ Provost; Dr. Anne Fulkerson, Director of Institutional Research and Institutional Effectiveness; Erica Parish, Dean of Accreditation and Academic Support Services; David Shaffer, Executive Director of Student Services and Enrollment Services; and Brandon Gaddy, Director of TRIO Student Support Services. Their input and collaborative work were essential to the grant writing and submission process.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the systemic inequality and financial hardship which keep promising students from succeeding in college. Student Support Services is needed now more than ever,” said Maureen Hoyler. Hoyler is the president of the non-profit Council for Opportunity in Education in Washington, D.C., dedicated to furthering the expansion of college opportunities for low-income, first-generation students, and students with disabilities.

For more than 50 years, the Student Support Services program has made important contributions to individuals and society as a whole by providing a broad range of services to help students succeed. This vital program can and does make all the difference.

OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES NAME WILLIAM BALZER INTERIM PRESIDENT

Posted on August 4th, 2020

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 4, 2020 – Owens Community College Board of Trustees has selected William K. Balzer, Ph.D. to serve as interim president. Balzer will formally assume the interim president position on Aug. 10 following the departure of Steve Robinson, Ph.D. on July 17 to serve as president of Lansing Community College. Robinson served as the seventh president of the College since 2018 after serving as provost and vice president of academic affairs.

“We are very excited to bring Dr. Balzer’s depth of experience to Owens as we search for our next president,” stated Mary Beth Hammond, chair, Owens Board of Trustees. “We will benefit greatly not only from that experience but also the relationships of mutual respect he has built with his colleagues at BGSU and the other four-year institutions that Owens has built partnerships with over the years.”

Balzer has more than 35 years of experience in higher education. Prior to joining Owens, he served as vice president for Faculty Affairs and Strategic Initiatives at Bowling Green State University (BGSU). His responsibilities included providing leadership in the implementation of the collective bargaining agreement with the BGSU Faculty Association, representing the Administration on issues related to the contract, and supporting the professional development of Department Chairs and School Directors at the University. In addition, he had the responsibility of helping support strategic planning and implementation and other strategic initiatives to advance the University.

Following his selection to the interim president position, Balzer said:

“I want to thank the Board of Trustees for both their confidence and the privilege to serve as interim president at Owens Community College. I look forward to working closely over the coming year with the leadership team, faculty, and staff to continue to advance the college’s success in providing students with an affordable and high-quality education to meet their professional and personal goals and enrich the economic vitality of northwest Ohio.”

He earned a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from New York University, a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

Balzer is a member of the Association of Academic Personnel Administrators, the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology and the American Psychological Society. He has also served as a member of several community boards.

The Board of Trustees is in the process of conducting a search to name a permanent president of Owens Community College.

UTOLEDO, OWENS LAUNCH NEW NURSING EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP

Posted on March 3rd, 2020

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March 3, 2020 – The presidents of The University of Toledo and Owens Community College will sign a dual-admission partnership for nursing students at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, March 5, in Heritage Hall, Room 123.

The new program — the first of its kind in northwest Ohio — allows nursing students to jointly apply for admission at both Owens and UToledo, establishing a seamless pathway for students to earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in registered nursing from Owens followed by a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from UToledo.

“Creating pathways for student success is an important part of Owens’ strategic plan and we are excited for what this dual enrollment agreement with the University of Toledo means for our nursing students,” said Steve Robinson, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “This seamless pathway from an associate to bachelor’s degree will help remove another barrier to student success and we are proud to partner with The University of Toledo to make that happen.”

“This is a wonderful way to strengthen our relationship with Owens and provide even more opportunities for students in our region, ensuring their success in the workplace,” UToledo President Sharon L. Gaber said. “Having a baccalaureate degree increases opportunities for nurses, and it is important that we establish these types of partnerships to ensure individuals in our community have the strong educational foundation they need for a successful nursing career.”

The new dual-admission program is designed to give students a sense of belonging at both institutions, while providing unique opportunities and support throughout their education.

Advisers from both Owens and UToledo will work with students from the start to ensure they are taking the courses needed to complete both degrees. Students also will have the ability to participate in UToledo events and programming, and to take courses at UToledo while working toward their associate’s degree at Owens.

Upon completion of their associate’s degree from Owens, students have a guaranteed spot in the UToledo College of Nursing’s online R.N. to B.S.N. program, with no additional application or admission fee.

While a B.S.N. isn’t necessary for licensure, recent surveys from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing have found that more than 80% of employers strongly prefer job candidates with a bachelor’s degree. A number of studies also have shown patients who are cared for by nurses with higher levels of education have more positive outcomes.

The dual-admission program is open to new and continuing students at Owens. The institutions will begin taking applications on May 1.

HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION REAFFIRMS OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ACCREDITATION THROUGH 2030

Posted on February 12th, 2020

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Feb. 12, 2020 – Owens Community College has received notification from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) that the academic institution’s accreditation has been reaffirmed through 2030. Owens has been accredited continuously through the Higher Learning Commission since 1976.

“Achieving continued accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission takes hard work and dedication. I am very proud and appreciative of all of our faculty and staff,” said Steve Robinson, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. This acknowledgment reaffirms our longstanding educational commitment to serving our students and the surrounding communities.”

The HLC is an independent corporation that was founded in 1895 as one of six regional institutional accreditors in the United States. HLC accredits degree-granting post-secondary educational institutions in the North Central region, accounting for 19 states. By law, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) relies in part on accrediting agencies to determine eligibility for U.S. government assistance under certain legislation. HLC is among these governmentally recognized authorities and seeks renewal of ED recognition at least every five years.

For more information about Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.

CLASS REPRESENTATIVE STRIVES TO BE HER BEST WHILE REPRESENTING HER FAMILY, VENEZUELA AND LATINO CULTURE

Posted on December 9th, 2019

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 9, 2019 – Venezuelan native, Maria Guadalupe Lopez Davila has been selected as the Owens Community College class representative and will address the 398 graduates during the 39^th Fall Commencement ceremony Friday, Dec. 13. She is graduating with an Associate of Arts degree in Communication Studies and Cum Laude honors.

The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center. Admission is free. Wade Kapszukiewicz, Toledo Mayor, will serve as the commencement keynote speaker.

Lopez Davila came to the United States on an F1 student visa following her 2017 graduation from Juan XXIII High School in Valencia, the third-largest city in Venezuela with a population of approximately 1.8 million. She currently resides in Findlay.

She sought an opportunity to learn and grow away from her native country’s struggles. Civil unrest began in Venezuela in 2013 and has continued to present day due to high levels of urban violence, inflation and chronic shortages of basic goods and services, such as food and water. Widespread political corruption is blamed for much of the country’s problems.

“Maria is a humbly bright individual. Every goal that she sets for herself, she goes beyond it,” Lyndsay Dimick, International Students Advisor, said.

Despite taking English classes since first grade, she said her time at Owens has taught her how to communicate daily in English as she focuses on a Spanish-English communications career in business, journalism or social media. She said she is now beginning to dream in English as well.

Her mother, Dr. Morella Davila, OBGYN, and father, Rostin Lopez, a statistician and broadcaster for the Magellan Navigators professional baseball team in Valencia, hoped to attend the ceremony.

“I was raised in an environment with strong family values. I wanted to make my family proud, to show my mom and dad they did a good job with me,” Lopez Davila said.

After graduation, Lopez Davila has applied for an Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension to her student visa that would allow her to work for a year in a job related to her major before attending a 4-year university.

“I want to be the best of me so that I represent Venezuela and the Latino culture in what I do,” she said. “I have the duty and responsibility to talk about the good that comes from my country.”

Kapszukiewicz was elected mayor Nov. 7, 2017 and took the oath of office on January 2, 2018, becoming the 58th mayor of Toledo.

He received a bachelor’s degree in journalism and political science from Marquette University in 1994 and was named the valedictorian of the College of Communication, Journalism, and Performing Arts. He received a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Michigan in 1996.

Kapszukiewicz is an adjunct professor at Lourdes University, where he teaches a night course in urban policy. An avid baseball fan, Kapszukiewicz had his research published in the Spring 2016 edition of the Society for American Baseball Research journal.

A resident of Toledo since 1973, Kapszukiewicz was born in San Diego on October 30, 1972. He and his wife, Sarah, celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary in 2019. They live in the Old Orchard neighborhood of Toledo and have two children, Emma and Will.

For more information about the ceremony, please visit www.owens.edu/commencement.

OWENS CONTINUES CAMPAIGN MOMENTUM WITH $100,000 GIFT FOR DANA ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING CENTER

Posted on October 18th, 2019

PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2019 – Owens Community College announced today a second major gift of $100,000 from the Owens Alumni Association for the new Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, seven weeks after receiving a $1 million investment from Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN). The announcement was made at the Foundation and Alumni Association’s Annual Dinner Meeting, Thurs., Oct. 17. The gift will result in naming rights within the center and will help to establish the Owens Alumni Association Advanced Manufacturing Scholarship.

“The Alumni Association is excited to be part of the Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center through this significant investment, while also establishing an endowed scholarship to directly benefit those students seeking degrees and certificates in the manufacturing and skilled trades areas,” said Tom Daniels, president of the Owens Community College Alumni Association. “This facility will be a game-changer for Northwest Ohio, and we are doing our part to help advance the region.”

The modernized facility will transform the College’s ability to meet the region’s most critical economic challenges of developing and training a skilled workforce for manufacturing employers.

Labor data forecasts more than 2,100 advanced manufacturing job openings paying an average annual salary of $63,000 in Lucas, Wood and Hancock counties in the next five years.

Designed to provide highly technical and integrated training in a clean and safe environment conducive to learning, the Dana Center includes amenities such as large windows that allow more natural light, glass walls and polished floors. The facility will also provide corporate partners with access to offices and conference space close to technical labs, classrooms and faculty offices.

“The Owens Foundation greatly appreciates this gift in support of the Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center at Owens Community College,” said Philip J. Rudolph, Jr., Chair of the Owens Community College Foundation. “The Owens Alumni Association’s investment in the Dana Center is an investment in future alumni who will continue to power Northwest Ohio’s workforce.”

For more information about the new Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, please visit www.owens.edu/amtc.