Owens Graduating Class of 255 Students Includes 113 Nurses
Posted on December 9th, 2025
Owens Community College will graduate 255 students, including 113 nurses, at its 45th Fall Commencement on Friday, December 12 at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.
There will be three separate ceremonies to celebrate the graduates.
50 students from the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will graduate at 9 a.m.
12 students from the School of Business, Hospitality and Public Safety will graduate at 12 p.m.
45 students from the School of Liberal Arts will graduate at 12 p.m.
3 professions students from the School of Nursing and Health Professions will graduate at 12 p.m.
113 nurses will graduate and have their pinning ceremony at 3 p.m.
The graduating class includes 37 students from the Findlay-area Campus.
The total numbers are for fall graduates only and do not include summer graduates who are also walking during the ceremonies.
Lauren Kern of Findlay received the Peggy Bensman Award, named after the nursing program’s founder and the highest honor for a nursing graduate. Scott Combs of Toledo, Nikaija Colbert of Toledo, Makaylee Wilgus of Maumee and April Roach of Forest received the Barbara Rood Student Choice Nursing awards. Roach attended class on the Findlay-area Campus.
Michael Lickert of Curtice, who will graduate with an Associate of Science degree, was named the Gerald Bazer Award winner for the outstanding Arts and Sciences graduate. The Bazer Award is named after the original dean for arts and sciences programming.
Tiffany Edens of Perrysburg was named the Business Technologies outstanding graduate, and Autumn Schroeder of Northwood was named the Criminal Justice Transfer Pathway outstanding graduate. Hannah Smith of Bowling Green was named the Social Work Transfer Pathway Concentration outstanding graduate.
A total of 60 students will graduate with honors, earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher.
Admission to the Commencement ceremonies is by ticket only. All ceremonies also will be livestreamed. Visit www.owens.edu/commencement to watch online.
Owens Launches Redesigned Website Focused on Improved Student Experience
Posted on November 14th, 2025
A screen capture of the new Owens homepage, which includes improved accessibility and an engaging user-friendly experience.
Owens Community College unveiled the first phase of a multi-step website redesign Wednesday, introducing a more user-friendly, accessible and engaging online experience for students and the community.
The first phase focused on academic program pages and also included updates to the homepage, navigation on the introduction of a new Program Finder tool, all of which will more easily help students find the information that’s important to them.
The redesign was conducted with Stamats, a full-service higher education marketing firm. Bringing together analytical insights, content planning and SEO and SEM expertise, Stamats worked closely with various stakeholders at Owens to create a streamlined and engaging user experience.
“The website is the first stop when connecting with Owens Community College, so creating a more user-friendly and engaging experience was essential,” said Tasha Hussain Black, vice president of Strategic Initiatives, Marketing and Communications. “The redesign reflects our commitment to accessibility and transparency while ensuring students quickly and confidently find what they need to begin — or continue — their Owens education.”
The Program Finder will help students narrow down the search for their preferred area of study among Owens many degrees and certificates.
The process began after a website audit in 2023 identified areas of needed improvement on the Owens pages. The audit suggested ways to enhance the user experience and make information easier to find for a seamless experience.
In 2025, Stamats was selected as the partner for the project after an RFP process.
“Our partnership with Stamats was a natural choice for this website redesign,” Hussain Black said. “Having worked with them on our digital marketing and web initiatives in the past, we knew they shared our commitment to continuous improvement and innovation. Stamats brought not only deep expertise in user experience design but also a thoughtful, data-driven approach that helps us engage our audiences on a more meaningful level. Perhaps most importantly, they helped us achieve these goals within a budget that remained sound and justifiable, ensuring that every investment advanced our mission and served our community effectively.”
To help with the project, the Lead Web Strategist position was transitioned from the Owens IT department to marketing. For Carla Pinson, the Lead Web Strategist, it was important to use analytics and user feedback to improve the user experience and allow them to easily find programs and connect with relevant content.
“Our newly redesigned website features a more dynamic homepage, refreshed program pages and an enhanced Program Finder, creating a more engaging, user-focused experience for visitors,” Pinson said. “Informed by data insights and audience input, the updated design makes it easier than ever for prospective students and visitors to explore our programs and connect with the opportunities that matter most to them.”
Phase 1 of the project included an extensive review of user behavior, analytics and user journeys. The website homepage received updates to make it more dynamic and engaging. The use of videos on the homepage will help elevate the experience of the users and create a more inviting environment.
In academics, 160 program pages were also updated, and Stamats and Owens conducted an exploration of the dropdown navigation menus.
Academic program page updates were made in cooperation with the individual academic areas for input. Consistency across all program pages was an important focus in the updates, with more robust information to let them serve as a one-stop-shop for advisors and students.
Stamats created a best-practice template for use on all academic program pages. Messaging on the pages was designed to be easily digestible and easily scannable.
An improved Program Finder feature was added to the website, allowing prospective students to narrow their search with different criteria, such as location of classes, type of degree or certificate received and academic departments and focuses. Along with academic program pages, the Program Finder is an important recruitment tool for first-time visitors to the website searching for their program of interest.
Dropdown navigation menus received a significant overhaul, with certain options being removed to make information easier to find. Previously, the Owens website had 132 items in the global menu system; 53 of the items link to pages in the site’s 100 most-used pages while the rest linked to underutilized pages. In fact, 93 items in the menu system recorded zero clicks on the homepage heatmap. The redesign refined and optimized the current dropdown navigation.
With the website audit finding that 49 percent of first-time Owens website users coming from mobile, the mobile experience on the website was also improved. The redesign optimized copy to include text lengths rather than side navigation, which was missing on the previous mobile version.
Using data-informed decision making and with an eye towards continuous improvement, Owens is excited to welcome students and the community to experience the redesigned website for themselves. Please go to owens.edu for information on the college and its programs.
Owens Brings Together Three Universities to Expand Transfer Pathways
Posted on November 3rd, 2025
Owens Community College continues to serve as a pivotal connector in the regional education ecosystem, bringing together three four-year private universities across the greater Blanchard Valley to strengthen transfer pathways and expand opportunities for students. For the first time, the University of Findlay, Heidelberg University and Ohio Northern University joined Owens for a single event, signing or renewing articulation agreements Monday, November 3, on the Owens Findlay-area Campus in a joint ceremony celebrating collaboration in higher education.
During the event, Owens signed or renewed three Express dual admission agreements — the Oiler Express with the University of Findlay, the Student Prince Express with Heidelberg University and the Polar Bear Express with Ohio Northern University (ONU). Named by combining the respective schools’ athletic nicknames, the agreements expand seamless transfer pathways for Owens students to continue toward bachelor’s degrees. Owens also signed new pre-pharmacy options with both Findlay and ONU. Together, the four colleges are helping students save time and money while creating clear, flexible pathways to achieve their educational and career goals.
Owens opened the ceremony by sharing highlights from an enrollment study conducted by Trellis Strategies. Bryan Ashton of Trellis Strategies presented findings that examined Findlay and Hancock County labor market needs and program alignment. The study confirmed that workforce demands in the region are evolving, with increasing need for flexible academic options that meet students where they are, particularly adult learners and working professionals.
The findings also underscored both an urgent need and an opportunity: many students who chose not to attend Owens in Findlay did not continue their education elsewhere, highlighting the importance of re-engaging learners and rebuilding local pathways to opportunity.
Through the Findlay Commitment, Owens is reaffirming its long-term investment in the future of higher education in Findlay by working collaboratively with employers, schools, universities and community leaders to re-engage learners, expand opportunities and strengthen the region’s skilled workforce. As part of this effort, Owens is bolstering class offerings and reinforcing degree pathways available on the Bright Road campus. The college currently offers six associate degrees, five certificates and seven general concentrations preparing students to transfer and complete a bachelor’s degree. One example is the Associate of Science degree, which provides a strong, transferable foundation for students who plan to continue their education, including those pursuing the new pre-pharmacy pathways established through agreements with Findlay and Ohio Northern.
The Findlay Commitment represents a shared pledge to turn data into solutions by re-engaging learners, expanding access and strengthening the region’s talent pipeline through collaboration across education, business and community sectors. It also marks the beginning of an ongoing effort to align Owens’ academic programs with local workforce demand and ensure sustained opportunities for learners in the years ahead.
“We can see from the data that we have clear areas of strength, and we are restructuring the programs we offer on our Findlay-area Campus to better serve this region,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, Owens president.
While healthcare program enrollment continues to represent nearly one-third of the Findlay-area Campus headcount, Owens announced plans beginning in the 2026–27 academic year to add degree options in electrical, mechanical and manufacturing fields, along with an engineering transfer program and a short-term non-credit pharmacy technician certificate to support the local workforce.
“This is a defining day for higher education in our region, for Owens Community College, the University of Findlay, Heidelberg University and Ohio Northern University, and for this important region of the state,” Somerville said. “We’ve unveiled data that will guide our next steps and signed pathway agreements for our students to continue their education at outstanding universities right here in our region. The Findlay Commitment reflects that collaboration. Our commitment to Findlay and Hancock County is unwavering. We will meet the needs of today with data-informed planning and the dedication of our outstanding team on the Findlay-area Campus.”
A total of 108 students have enrolled in the Oiler Express since Owens and the University of Findlay first signed the dual admissions agreement in March 2019. In the past five academic years, 252 Owens students have transferred to Findlay to continue their studies. The institutions are renewing the Oiler Express partnership and adding a pathway for Owens students to transfer into Findlay’s pharmacy program.
“The Oiler Express partnership represents an exciting opportunity that benefits both institutions while creating meaningful pathways for students to achieve their academic and career goals,” said Dr. Kathy Fell, University of Findlay president. “Partnerships of this nature are an important part of the University of Findlay’s commitment to collaboration and student success.”
Owens and Heidelberg University are launching the Student Prince Express dual admission agreement ensuring seamless transfer for Owens students pursuing bachelor’s degrees at Heidelberg. In the past five years, 53 Owens students have transferred to Heidelberg.
“Heidelberg University has a long-standing tradition of collaboration with regional community colleges and four-year institutions to develop innovative pathways that support students in achieving their academic and professional goals. We are proud to launch the Student Prince Express with Owens Community College. This partnership strengthens and streamlines existing pathways that enable students to take the next step toward a bachelor’s degree at Heidelberg,” said Dr. Rob Huntington, Heidelberg University president.
“Expanding opportunities is ultimately about supporting transfer students, increasing accessibility and opening doors for them to continue their academic journey with confidence. By working closely with our friends at Owens, we can ensure that every student, regardless of where they begin their academic journey, has the resources and support to complete their bachelor’s degree,” he said.
Owens and Ohio Northern University are signing a Polar Bear Express dual admission agreement and a pre-pharmacy transfer pathway, expanding opportunities for Owens students to continue their education at ONU. Over the past five years, 187 Owens students have transferred to Ohio Northern.
“We are pleased to strengthen and expand our partnership with Owens Community College to make an ONU degree accessible to more students,” said Dr. Melissa J. Baumann, Ohio Northern University president. “As a private university working for the public good, we’re committed to preparing graduates for success in their careers and life, while meeting the workforce needs of our region, our state and beyond.”
City of Findlay Mayor Christina Muryn, Blanchard Valley Health System President and CEO Myron Lewis and Whirlpool Corp. Director of Manufacturing Renato Esteves Sr. also spoke during the event, emphasizing the importance of higher education collaboration in strengthening the regional workforce pipeline.
ODHE Rapids Grants Allows Owens to Expand PLC Training
Posted on October 9th, 2025
Responding to a need for people with programmable logic controller (PLC) technician experience in northwest Ohio, Owens Community College received a grant totaling more than $59,000 from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) RAPIDS program to increase the student capacity in PLC classes by 50%.
The program prepares technicians and professionals with specialized training for regionally in-demand occupations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs associated with PLC technicians are expected to grow annually by 2% from 2024-2034, with an average of 8,400 open jobs per year. Pay for the jobs average approximately $71,000 in Ohio, according to glassdoor.com.
A PLC is an industrial computer that has been adapted for the control of manufacturing processes that require high reliability, ease of programming and fault diagnosis like assembly lines, machines and robotic devices.
The college’s current PLC classes are at maximum capacity at 12 students. The grant totaling $59,046.99 will ensure access for more students, instructors and space. Now, Owens has acquired the additional space and preparing the classrooms for multiple PLC courses as well as workforce training.
The school has purchased a Portable PLC Troubleshooting Learning System, Studio 5000 Mini PLC Programming Software and FactoryTalk View ME Programming Software.
“This grant will allow us to make our PLC classes and training more accessible to a great number of students, who will receive hands-on education to help fulfill an employment gap in the region,” said Dan Burklo, Owens dean for the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. “The purchase of the equipment and software will allow our students to not only learn about programmable logic controllers but to experience it firsthand.”
Owens offers two 16-week courses in basic PLC and advanced PLC. They’re part of various degree offerings in the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, including Advanced Manufacturing, Electrical/Electronics Engineering Technology, Building Maintenance, and Electrical, and certificates in Building Maintenance and Electrical. The course and degree offerings will focus on electrical, mechanical, CAD technology, applied engineering, machining, tool and die and HVAC.
The new equipment will also allow Owens Workforce and Community Services to offer more customizable trainings for community partners.
Students will enhance their skillset and improve their understanding of PLC functionality, develop troubleshooting skills and become more proficient in maintaining automation systems.
Occupations impacted by the addition of PLC courses and equipment include electrical and electronic technologists and technicians, maintenance and repair workers, robotics engineers, mechatronics engineers, and electricians and electrician helpers.
To learn more about the Owens School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, please visit owens.edu/stem.
To learn more about Owens Workforce and Community Services, please visit owens.edu/workforce_cs.
Owens team creates sensory rooms to support neurodivergent students
Posted on September 18th, 2025
Owens student Krystal Bensch tries out the multi-sensory room in the Counseling Services office.
As last year’s BIG Read was winding down, Owens Community College English professor Jen Hazel already had her sights set on the next chapter: neurodivergence.
Unbeknownst to her, two of her colleagues — Vickie Heck, director of Counseling Services, and Chris Hendricks, director of Disability Services — were thinking along the same lines, setting the stage for a campus-wide collaboration.
The trio has since come together to create three multi-sensory rooms across Owens’ Toledo-area Campus. The first room, located in Counseling Services in College Hall, is already open and will host a open house on Tuesday, Sept. 23 after the BIG Read book club at 1 p.m.
The other two rooms, in the Healthcare Education Center and Heritage Hall, are still in development. A larger celebration is planned once those spaces open later this semester.
According to Heck, the timing was right for the project to make a meaningful impact.
Hazel said an existing professional relationship between the three helped begin implementation quickly.
“It really came from my relationship with Chris and Vickie and us talking about students who are struggling on campus for various reasons,” Hazel said. “We are a campus of belonging, and we need everyone to feel that way.”
Hendricks attended a seminar earlier this year where a representative from a local university presented on its sensory room. Meanwhile, Heck, in her role with Counseling Services, said she sees the need for safe, calming spaces for students on a daily basis.
Funding for equipment, furnishings and other items came from a $167,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. With the grant in hand, Hazel said it was rewarding to work with various campus partners, including Executive Director of Operations Danielle Tracy, Provost Dr. Denise Smith and Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Dr. Blake Renner.
Owens student Krystal Bensch tries out some of the sensory tools in the multi-sensory room in the Counseling Services office.
Hazel and Hendricks collaborated on a list of sensory items to fill the rooms. Hazel drew from her classroom experience and as the mother of a son on the autism spectrum.
“A lot of it is stuff that my son has used in (occupational therapy), and other items are suggestions from students I’ve had in my class who’ve disclosed their diagnosis,” she said. “It was really, what can we grab with the grant money, and where can we find those items?”
According to Heck and Hendricks, an estimated 10 percent to 20 percent of Owens students may be considered neurodivergent. However, students do not need an official diagnosis to use the rooms. They simply scan a QR code at the entrance and follow a few basic rules for use.
When a student scans the code, Heck and Hendricks receive an alert, allowing them to monitor usage and ensure the space is being used appropriately.
“They don’t have to make an appointment. They can just pop in when they need it,” Heck said. “Certainly, anyone who’s having a rough time can be in there.”
The first room features a variety of lights, chairs and sensory tools like stress balls, kinetic sand and coloring books. Students can also simply use the space to decompress in silence.
Heck said many students are facing anxiety, depression and stress tied to academic pressure, social dynamics, financial strain and other personal challenges, all while juggling work, family responsibilities and school.
“It’s a very stressful time for students,” she said. “Not only are they trying to go through school, a lot of our students are married or working or have children, so they’re dealing with those stressors as well.”
For more information on Counseling Services at Owens, please visit owens.edu/counseling.
Please visit owens.edu/disability for more information on the Disability Resource Center.
Owens Student Life Increasing Student Engagement With “Hello Owens” Campaign
Posted on September 11th, 2025
Dr. Carrie Heller knows that the time a student spends engaged with a school outside of the classroom has a large impact on their personal and academic success.
As dean of Student Life at Owens Community College, one of her tasks is to reach and engage the student population, which is not always an easy task on a non-residential campus. So this academic year, Heller elected to bring in other campus partners to create a new multi-faceted engagement opportunity for the students, called, “Hello Owens.”
“There is so much for a student to gain by engaging with opportunities outside the classroom,” Heller said. “A long-standing student development theory by Alexander Astin (1984) has demonstrated that the amount of time students spend engaged outside the classroom is directly proportional to their academic and personal development. That’s true whether a student lives on campus or commutes or is a traditional student or non-traditional student. It creates a sense of belonging, builds their personal and professional network and improves their academic performance.”
Students around Owens can interact with Hello Owens in a variety of ways. New flyers have taken the place of the previous “Stall Talk” informational sheets, with updates happening weekly at the Toledo-area Campus and monthly at the Findlay-area Campus. There is also a website and Instagram page for students to find resources and information on as well.
Heller was inspired as a conference this spring when another school presented its version of what became Hello Owens.
“Like many other colleges, the presenters struggled with student engagement post-COVID. They had a lot of great opportunities for students but they just weren’t showing up,” Heller said. “They developed a collaborative marketing strategy involving student affairs, academic affairs and marketing, then watched their engagement skyrocket.
“I knew we had all of the same components here at Owens — great opportunities, willing faculty and staff, and a great marketing team. What we needed was a good strategy. So I proposed doing something similar and everyone was on board.”
Hello Owens started with meetings between members from across the Owens campus. A smaller group now meets weekly to discuss the content for the flyers and website as well as other strategies.
Not only does Hello Owens keep students abreast of activities on campus, but it also gives them a resource for important dates and deadlines and support programs.
“Whether it’s going to Student Activities events, auditioning for a play or participating in a BIG Read activity, the campaign streamlines information that comes from a wide variety of departments,” Heller said.
Owens second-year business management student Wesley Nelson loves the idea of Hello Owens and believes that the increased visibility of events will help attract students and increase the participation. As a current Student Ambassador, Nelson was influenced to become more involved on campus by these types of efforts.
“Being a commuter campus, this is the only place where we have to engage with staff and students, so you might as well make the best of your time while you’re here,” Nelson said.
“Those engagement opportunities definitely pulled me in. When I started, the Student Ambassadors were doing a lot of promotions, they were talking to people, they were emailing people. I was attracted to the campus community in part because of that. It makes me very proud to be an Owens student.”
In addition to continued consistency in the method students can now receive this information, Heller said Hello Owens swag is in the works. With fall semester just underway and big events upcoming on the campus calendar, she’s excited to see how Hello Owens will impact attendance and engagement from students.
“I’m looking forward to hearing students say, ‘I saw this on Hello Owens’ the next time they show up to an event,” she said.
Owens Fall Enrollment Total of 7,423 Largest Since 2019
Posted on September 9th, 2025
Owens students (from left) Madison Fox, Lance Miller, Aileen Lin enjoy a walk on campus in early September
Owens Community College has built strong enrollment momentum, marking its fourth consecutive Fall increase in total student headcount. For Fall 2025, 7,423 students are enrolled, a 3.7 percent increase over Fall 2024’s total of 7,155.
This also represents the fifth consecutive semester of overall enrollment growth and the college’s largest Fall headcount since 2019, when 8,282 students enrolled. After the enrollment challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, this rebound highlights Owens’ ability to adapt through strong leadership, dedicated faculty and staff as well as programs that meet the evolving needs of students across the region.
Owens remains the region’s trusted provider of accessible, affordable and high-quality education, offering flexible options for university transfer, career credentials or adult learners returning to college, according to Dr. Blake Renner, vice president of enrollment management and student affairs.
A key factor behind the growth is the continued increase in new student enrollment. Owens welcomed 1,951 new students for Fall 2025, a 16.9 percent increase over Fall 2024 (1,669). For the 2024–25 academic year, 2,702 new students enrolled, a 24.4 percent increase from 2,172 in 2023–24.
“Our Fall 2025 total enrollment shows the Owens mission in action. We are meeting the needs of all learners at every stage of their journey,” Renner said. “Students are choosing Owens because of the support, flexibility and value we provide.”
Owens students benefit from career-focused programs, workforce training and university transfer, including stackable credentials and clear, affordable pathways to further education and employment. While other institutions are beginning to expand into these areas, Owens leads through deep community partnerships, personalized student services and a focus on outcomes.
Among the top 10 enrolled programs this fall, healthcare leads the way with four programs – including Registered Nursing (446), Radiologic Technology (64), Physical Therapist Assistant (57) and MRI (52) – reflecting strong student interest and ongoing regional demand. Business programs also remain popular, with Business Management (129) and Accounting Technology (75) attracting solid enrollment. Skilled trades and technology programs like Electrical (77), Welding (64), Cyber Security (57) and Caterpillar Dealer Service Technician Program (52) show continued growth, while Early Childhood Education (52) rounds out the list, highlighting the college’s broad impact across essential career fields.
Owens also serves as a launchpad for students pursuing bachelor’s degrees through university transfer pathways, with 2,487 students enrolled in transfer-focused programs. Business, social sciences and education are among the most popular pathways, including Business (172), Social Work (107), Education (98), Psychology (91) and Criminal Justice (75). STEM-related transfer majors also show strong interest, such as General Science (70), Engineering (62) and Biology (57). Rounding out the top programs are General Arts (59) and Exercise Science (34), reflecting the diverse academic interests of transfer-bound students.
Over the past decade, nearly 10,000 Owens students have successfully transferred and earned a bachelor’s degree, reflecting the college’s strong academic foundation and university partnerships.
“Our role in the higher education ecosystem is essential,” Renner said. “We provide students with a high-quality, affordable start and they go on to earn four-year degrees with less debt, more confidence and a clear sense of direction.”
Renner also noted that enrollment has grown through targeted efforts, such as re-engaging former students, expanding College Credit Plus partnerships for earlier college access and providing a fully integrated support model. From first inquiry to graduation, students benefit from proactive advising, smooth onboarding and personalized academic planning that helps them stay on track and reach their goals.
Fall 2025 enrollment totals are based on the official 14th-day census, which occurred on Monday, September 8. Owens will continue enrolling students throughout the semester in classes with flexible start dates. For more information, visit www.owens.edu.
Owens Starts First Microsite for Early Childhood Education
Posted on August 28th, 2025
A new microsite will bring Owens’ Early Childhood Education Technology classes to employees at two local childcare centers.
Owens Community College Teacher Education and Human Services has partnered with the Education Service Center of Lake Erie West and two local childcare facilities to offer a microsite that will educate and train working childcare workers on site.
Named the ECE Associate Alliance by the member institutions, Owens and Lake Erie West will provide classes towards an associate degree in early childhood education to current employees at Believe Academy and Learning Ladder, which will host one to two hours per week of in-person instruction while completing assignments, readings and other class assignments at their own pace through the rest of the week.
“It’s difficult sometimes for students to get to class because it’s a childcare center — people don’t pick up their children on time, they’re short staffed, there’s a crisis, so it’s hard for them to get away,” said Michelle Arbogast, chair of Teacher Education and Human Services at Owens.
Owens’ microsite model delivers educational opportunities to off-campus locations, reflecting the belief that education should be portable, accessible, affordable and flexible.
According to Arbogast, Lake Erie West approached Owens about upscaling their paraprofessionals with associate degrees. The conversation started in January and the process of starting the cohort began in June, with the first cohort beginning in Fall 2025.
The ECE Associate Alliance is not churning out degrees as fast as it can, Arbogast said. The students are receiving the same courses and assignments as those who attend class on the Owens campus. The only difference is a change in venue.
“Even though it’s the same courses students would get coming from anywhere, the difference is since they’re already childcare professionals, we can tailor the courses a little bit more for people who have experience,” Arbogast said. “They’re working in it every day. We can take real life experiences into account.”
The cohort will run over five semesters, including the summer.
“We know the barriers that occur, and we’re trying to break down those barriers for people who are already in the industry,” Arbogast said. “It’s trying to get those people out into the field as soon as possible while having the same amount of rigor.”
Nehama Miller, adjunct instructor at Owens, will teach the classes. Miller is a former owner and operator of a childcare center and has been in the field for more than 20 years.
“She’s uniquely qualified to really understand where this group is coming from,” Arbogast said.
The first cohort will enroll up to eight students. Arbogast said more cohorts will be added in future semesters.
Owens Announces First Bachelor’s Degree in Historic Milestone for Region’s Leading Healthcare Educator
Posted on August 14th, 2025
BSN Announcement Event
BSN Announcement Event
BSN Announcement Event
BSN Announcement Event
BSN Announcement Event
BSN Announcement Event
BSN Announcement Event
In a defining moment for Owens Community College, the institution announced the launch of its first bachelor’s degree program in its 60-year history. The Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Completion Program marks a bold step forward for both Owens and the region as the college aims to meet growing workforce demands and expand access to affordable, high-quality education.
Owens began planning the BSN Completion Program two years ago after the State of Ohio recognized a critical and growing need for more bachelor’s-prepared nurses. To address workforce shortages—especially in high-demand fields like nursing and education—the state has encouraged community colleges to develop bachelor’s degree programs. Owens’ BSN program directly supports this statewide initiative.
Following the Higher Learning Commission’s approval of the BSN Completion Program this week, Owens will offer its first bachelor’s degree classes in Summer 2026.
“The approval of our Bachelor of Science in Nursing Program is a historic first for Owens Community College—our very first bachelor’s degree and a transformative step forward for the institution,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, president of Owens Community College. “This program reflects our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our students and our region. By offering an accessible, high-quality BSN, we’re expanding educational pathways and helping to build a stronger, more resilient healthcare workforce across northwest Ohio.”
The BSN Completion Program is designed for working registered nurses who earned an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or a diploma in nursing. Building upon Owens’ well-established Associate of Applied Science in Nursing, the new program allows bachelor’s degree-seeking students to complete the BSN coursework online, making it a flexible, accessible option for busy professionals.
The 55-credit hour curriculum includes courses in nursing leadership, informatics and technology, healthcare systems, patient-centered care, public health, research and a capstone experience in nursing leadership and management.
Meeting a Critical State and Regional Need
The launch of the BSN Completion Program comes at a critical time for Ohio’s healthcare system. The state is facing a projected shortage of more than 20,000 nurses, driven by an aging population, rising healthcare demands and a wave of retirements across the industry. Owens Community College has long contributed to meeting regional needs, averaging nearly 200 ADN graduates annually over the past five academic years.
Now, with the addition of the BSN Completion Program, Owens graduates will have expanded opportunities not only to advance their careers, but also to increase their earning potential. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025), employment for registered nurses is projected to grow 6 percent through 2033, outpacing the average for all occupations. As more employers prioritize or require bachelor’s degrees, the BSN opens the door to leadership roles and specialized positions while also contributing to increased positive patient outcomes.
In Toledo, BSN-prepared nurses earn an average of $87,918 annually, compared to $76,530 for RNs overall. Across Ohio, BSN nurses make approximately $12,730 more per year than their ADN-prepared peers.
High Quality, Proven Results
Owens has a long-standing reputation for nursing excellence. The college formed its Associate Degree in Nursing program in 1969, enrolled its first students in 1971 and graduated the first class in 1973. Owens nursing graduates consistently outperform state and national averages on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. In 2024, Owens boasted a 93.49 percent NCLEX pass rate, compared to 89.55 percent in Ohio and 91.16 percent nationally.
With the new BSN Completion Program, Owens expects to initially enroll 25 students twice per year, with projected growth to 72 students all told by the program’s fourth year.
Prospective applicants are encouraged to complete an online interest form at www.owens.edu/BSN.
Leading Healthcare Educator
Owens Community College is the leading healthcare educator in northwest Ohio, with a long-standing reputation for excellence in nursing and allied health programs. Over the past five academic years, Owens has graduated an average of more than 360 highly skilled professionals who are essential to the region’s hospitals, clinics and care facilities.
Owens recently deepened its commitment to healthcare education with the opening of its new $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center on the Toledo-area Campus. This state-of-the-art facility features advanced simulation labs, modern classrooms and collaborative learning spaces designed to mirror real-world healthcare environments. The center enhances hands-on training and ensures Owens graduates are workforce-ready to meet the region’s growing healthcare needs.
The BSN Completion Program will be part of the School of Nursing and Health Professions, which currently offers 23 associate degrees and certificates in 11 disciplines across the Toledo- and Findlay-area campuses.
Owens Dean Cathy Ford Retiring After 43 Years at College
Posted on July 22nd, 2025
Cathy Ford, Owens dean for the School of Nursing and Health Professions, speaks with Owens president Dr. Dione D. Somerville.
Cathy Ford was instrumental in the Healthcare Education Center project. She’s seen here leading a tour of local and state legislators through the building in 2024.
Cathy Ford joins former SNHP dean Peggy Bensman for her 90th birthday party in June 2024. Ford, who will retire in August, has been dean for nearly a decade.
Cathy Ford’s impact on Owens Community College and its School of Nursing and Health Professions has been considerable – and the same goes for the college’s significance in her life.
After 43 years as an employee at Owens, first as an adjunct clinical instructor then full-time faculty, department chair and finally dean, Ford will retire at the end of July.
“Throughout my career, I have been guided by a commitment to service — serving students, faculty, staff and the greater community. My decisions have always been rooted in creating opportunities, building effective teams and finding solutions that enhance student success, especially in difficult moments. I believe deeply that when we focus on helping others and working together with purpose, the impact can be lasting,” Ford said.
Cathy Ford
Ford’s time at Owens began before her employment; she started as a student at Owens in 1977 and completed her Associate of Applied Science degree in Radiography two years later. She also earned Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies and Master of Education degrees from the University of Toledo.
Owens didn’t only provide an education for Ford. On the first day of her first semester at Owens, she met her future husband, Jim, who is retiring as an adjunct instructor as well. Together, they raised three children and are now grandparents of six – soon to be seven – grandchildren.
During her first year at Owens, Ford also met the woman who would become her mentor, Linda Myers, the chair of the Radiography department. She said Myers “pushed me to accomplish things that I otherwise would not have attempted.” They still routinely meet for lunch.
Ford admitted her time as a student was not straightforward and cut-and-dry, crediting an advisor “who set me on my path at Owens.” She thinks that experience of struggling and working to overcome challenges helps her understand a wide range of students from various backgrounds and situations.
“Many have heard me say that Owens changed my life, and this is not an exaggeration,” Ford added.
In 1982, she returned to Owens as an adjunct clinical instructor. In August 2000, Ford became the chair of Medical Imaging. Fifteen years later, she was named the dean for the School of Nursing and Health Professions (SNHP).
Neither of those final two moves in her career were planned. Ford said it was the confidence in her abilities of those around her that gave her the desire to take on the new challenges.
While saying she’ll miss “dozens of people across the college who I have worked with closely,” she mentioned Owens vice president of academic affairs and provost Dr. Denise Smith, vice president of business affairs and chief financial officer Jeffery Ganues and college president Dr. Dione D. Somerville for their support and shared vision for the school.
Dr. Somerville emphasized Ford’s leadership and guidance as instrumental in the advances of the school and the opening of the Healthcare Education Center earlier this year.
“I am incredibly grateful for Cathy Ford’s leadership in our School of Nursing and Health Professions for more than 40 years. Under her guidance, Owens has remained at the front of educating the healthcare workforce in northwest Ohio, culminating in the opening of the new Healthcare Education Center. As a proud alumna of our Radiography program, her passion for Owens is unmatched. Her impact will be felt long after she leaves, and we wish her nothing but happiness in her retirement,” Dr. Somerville said.
Smith echoed those statements, saying, “Cathy has worked tirelessly to advance the School of Nursing and Health Professions to address the changing needs of the regional workforce. As an Owens grad, her understanding of the healthcare students has allowed her advocate for them and elevate the entire College. She has been instrumental in the move to interprofessional health education on our campus, both in the curriculum but also in the development and design of the new Healthcare Education Center.”
Along with many others, Suellen Barnum, chair of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program, said Ford’s legacy at Owens will include the completion of the $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center, a renovation and expansion project that provided more than 86,500 square feet that provides students with expansive lab space and modern equipment to pursue healthcare careers.
Ford’s leadership provided a start for interprofessional education (IPE), which instills the importance of individuals from different disciplines working together as members of an effective healthcare team. The construction of the Healthcare Education Center united all Owens SNHP schools under one roof, making IPE an integral part of the education.
“Cathy was a leader who was always looking to the future,” said Christine Smith, Owens chair for Radiologic Technology. “She worked at continuous improvement to make everything better for students. This is very evident in the new facilities that she was the driving force behind. She was also the driving force behind Interprofessional Education. The SNHP students have benefitted from learning about each other’s profession from each other.”
An unequivocal advocate for the students, people across the college recognized her special attention to improving the student experience, including Owens dean of the School of Liberal Arts Michael Sander.
“As a fellow dean, I appreciated Cathy’s positive outlook and steady leadership. She brought an encouraging spirit to every conversation and worked hard to foster a collaborative, team-oriented culture within her school. Her student-centered mindset and dedication to academic excellence were qualities I admired as a colleague. Owens is a stronger place because of Cathy’s leadership,” Sander said.
Being an educator was always the goal for Ford. While she started in elementary education, an extensive test revealed a proclivity for radiography. Regardless of what she was teaching, Ford was doing what she was meant to do – educating and influencing class after class of leaders and professionals.
“To future educators and leaders, I offer this: Treat others with respect and kindness, and you will foster the best environments for learning and care,” Ford said. “Pause. Listen. Be flexible. Let the rules serve as a tool, not a barrier. Prioritize the needs of your students and never lose sight of the responsibility you carry in shaping their path.
“Say yes when you can. Meet people where they are. And build a future where compassion, collaboration and opportunity remain at the heart of everything we do.”
Ford’s plans for retirement include spending time with her loved ones while going places and doing things she’s never done before. Not surprisingly for anyone who has worked with Ford over the past 43 years, she said, “I will not sit still or watch time pass but seek joy and fulfillment in new ways. I hope to be exhausted.”
Owens Board Approves Faculty Contract
Posted on June 27th, 2025
The Owens Community College Board of Trustees approved a 3-year agreement with the Owens Faculty Association (OFA) at a special meeting Wednesday, June 25. The board has now approved 3-year agreements with three of the college’s four labor unions through 2027.
The OFA agreement’s effective date is retroactive to November 1, 2024 and continues through October 31, 2027. The Owens Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) agreement extends over the same period. The Owens Support Staff agreement began January 1, 2025 and ends December 31, 2027.
The three unions account for 223 of the college’s 458 full-time employees. Coupled with 726 part-time staff and adjunct faculty, Owens ranks among the top 25 employers in the region.
“Owens Community College thrives because of our spirit of collaboration and our sense of partnership,” Owens president Dr. Dione D. Somerville said. “I extend my sincere gratitude to all the negotiation teams for their dedication and conscientiousness throughout this process. Our faculty, police and support staff unions are an important part of our college’s success. The completion of these collective bargaining agreements reaffirms our commitment to working together with respect, transparency and shared purpose. We move forward together, focused on the success of our students and the well-being of our region.”
The agreement with the college’s fourth labor union, the FOP Dispatchers, will expire October 31, 2025.
Twelve Owens Faculty Receive Promotions for 2025-26 School Year
Posted on June 26th, 2025
Two Owens Community College faculty members were promoted to the rank of professor earlier this month, while another 10 faculty also received promotions.
Amy Foster and Darlene Wise both received promotions to Professors of Nursing in the Owens School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Dr. Andrew Erickson (Philosophy), Amy Morford (Culinary Arts) and Stephen Williams (Hospitality) were promoted to Associate Professors.
Receiving promotions to Assistant Professors are Nichole Buchanan (Dental Hygiene), Jacqueline Heilmann (Nursing), Christopher Kinkade (Automotive/GM ASEP), Erika Scheufler (Science), Dr. Farida Sidiq (Biology), Lesa Swimmer (Biology) and Elizabeth Zacharias (Nursing).
All of the promotions will be effective in the coming school year.
Long-Time Owens Trustee, Foundation Director Talmage Advocated for Students
Posted on June 24th, 2025
Dee Talmage
Board of Trustees
Dee Talmage
Dee Talmage
Dee Talmage
Board of Trustees
Board of Trustees
Owens Community College Trustee and Former Board Chair Diana H. (Dee) Talmage, who dedicated her life to education and community service, has died after a brief illness. She was 85.
She served on the Owens board of trustees since her appointment in 2002. She was reappointed in 2008, 2014 and 2020. She twice led the board as chair from 2010-2013 and 2017-2019.
Dee Talmage
“Dee Talmage was a passionate advocate for students, higher education and the well-being of our communities. She will be missed by everyone who knew her and whose lives she impacted,” Owens president Dr. Dione D. Somerville said. “Her deep commitment to Owens Community College’s mission and her pride in the college was evident in every decision she made and every conversation she had. I benefited greatly from her experience and wisdom. Her legacy will continue to inspire all of us who had the privilege of working alongside her.”
Talmage also served on the Owens Community College Foundation Board of Directors since 2007. She was the Owens Foundation board chair from 2020-2024.
“Dee Talmage was not only a tireless champion for Owens Community College, but also a dear friend I’ve had the privilege of knowing for many years,” said Kelle Pack, Owens vice president of institutional advancement and executive director of the Owens Foundation. “Her unwavering support for the Owens Foundation and to student success was truly remarkable. Dee believed in the power of education to transform futures, and her generosity, leadership and heart will be deeply missed.”
Visitation will be held at Walker Funeral Home on Sylvania Avenue from 2-8 p.m. Sunday. The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. Monday at New Hope Church on Secor.
Talmage once said that you may not remember what people say to you, but you will always remember how they made you feel. She said she lived by that motto in her work and life.
When asked about her service to Owens at the time of her final board reappointment, she said, “I have loved every minute of serving Owens Community College. I sincerely feel that my reappointment to the Owens Community College Board of Trustees is essential and vital toward the upward momentum of the college due to my seasoned leadership of the Board and the Foundation; my exemplary college engagement and connections throughout northwest Ohio and Columbus; and, my comprehensive understanding of the College’s goals and alignment with the priorities of the State.”
Talmage’s tenure included chairing the college’s presidential search committees which resulted in the hiring of Dr. Mike Bower in 2012 and Dr. Steve Robinson in 2018. She served on the presidential search committee which led to the hiring of Dr. Somerville in 2021.
Beyond Owens, Talmage served on the Ohio Association of Community Colleges executive committee and was chair in 2013-2014. Her photo continues to hang in the state offices in Columbus. In 2013, the OACC presented her with the Maureen C. Grady Award for Special Achievement for her outstanding commitment to the local community and higher education.
Talmage regularly attended the Higher Learning Commission’s annual conference in Chicago with the Owens academic team and said the conference proved to be beneficial during the college’s reaffirmation site visit with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in 2019. HLC reaffirmed Owens’ accreditation through 2029-2030.
A graduate of the now defunct Toledo DeVilbiss High School, Talmage earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Ohio State and master’s in counseling from the University of Toledo. She taught at Toledo Public Schools and Garden City, Mich., schools before retiring and embarking on community service throughout the greater Toledo area.
The YWCA recognized Talmage for volunteerism with a Milestones award in 2002. She received the Toledo Chamber’s Athena Award in 2006. Buckeye CableSystem named her VIP of the Year in 2008.
Among Talmage’s many boards of service throughout her lifetime included:
Academy of Medicine of Toledo/Lucas County Alliance Board of Directors
American Medical Association Alliance
Children’s Services Board
Flower Hospital Foundation Board of Directors
Greater Toledo Republican Club
Historic Woodlawn Cemetery Foundation Board of Directors
Lucas County Board of Elections
Lucas County Republic Party, including party chair
Northwest Ohio Chapter of the American Red Cross
Ohio Republic Party State Central Committee Woman
Ohio State Medical Association Alliance
Ohio State Medical Association Political Action Committee Board of Directors
Ottawa Hills Schools Foundation Board of Directors and Ottawa Hills Local School Board
She was inducted into the Village of Ottawa Hills Hall of Fame in 2013
University of Toledo Foundation Board of Directors and University of Toledo Alumni Association Board of Trustees
Village of Ottawa Hills Foundation Board of Trustees
YWCA Board of Trustees
She is survived by her husband, Lance, retired brigadier general in the Ohio Army National Guard and doctor of obstetrics and gynecology at UTMC, their three children and eight grandchildren.
More Than 800 Owens Students Named to Dean’s List in Spring 2025
Posted on June 9th, 2025
Owens Community College is proud to announce that 802 students from its Toledo-area and Findlay-area Campuses were named to the Dean’s List for their work in the Spring 2025 semester. An additional 2,490 students earned Dean’s Recognition honors.
Each semester, the Dean’s List and Dean’s Recognition gives recognition to those students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
A student completing 12 or more college credit hours in a given semester may be eligible for the Dean’s List by earning a semester grade point average of 3.50 or above with no grade lower than a C.
A student completing 6.00-11.99 college credit hours in a given semester may be eligible for Dean’s Recognition by earning a semester grade point average of 3.50 or above with no grade lower than a C.
The breakdown by academic school is as follows:
School of Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety: 138 Dean’s List, 180 Dean’s Recognition
School of Liberal Arts: 146 Dean’s List, 1,055 Dean’s Recognition
School of Nursing and Health Professions: 91 Dean’s List, 470 Dean’s Recognition
School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics: 427 Dean’s List, 785 Dean’s Recognition
Owens Findlay-area Campus had 43 students earn Dean’s List honors and an additional 341 students earn Dean’s Recognition honors.
A complete list of students who earned Dean’s List and Dean’s Recognition honors can be found by visiting owens.edu/academics/deans-list.
Owens Hosting Water Workforce Graduation
Posted on May 8th, 2025
About Water Workforce Program and Graduation
The third cohort of 20 Owens Community College students will earn their Water Treatment Professions certificate at 9 a.m. on Thursday, May 8 in Veterans Hall. Owens is part of the Water Workforce Coalition, which was formed thanks to a $500,000 grant from the U.S. EPA. TMACOG and the City of Toledo also form the coalition, which responded to northwest Ohio’s anticipated operator shortages due to retirements by 2028. This graduating cohort will bring the number of graduates to 65 over three cohorts.
Mary Kaczinski, Owens professor of environmental sciences (event emcee)
Dione D. Somerville, Owens president (special remarks)
Sandy Spang, TMACOG executive director (special remarks)
Andy McClure, City of Toledo commissioner of plant operations (special remarks)
Amy Klei, Ohio EPA chief, division of drinking and ground waters (keynote address)
Grant Scholten, Owens assistant dean of Science and Mathematics (concluding remarks)
Twenty graduates from Water Workforce, Cohort 3
Four Students Recognized for Achievements by Owens Board of Trustees
Posted on May 7th, 2025
Allison Hepp, Candace Summerskill, Abby Vogt and Jeramy Hermiller
The Owens Community College Board of Trustees Student Life Committee recognized four students on Tuesday afternoon for outstanding achievements and involvement inside and outside of the classroom.
Jeramy Hermiller, a Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) student, received the Exemplary Academic Achievement recognition. Candace Summerskill, a Diagnostic Medical Sonography student, received the Exceptional Student Leadership recognition. Allison Hepp, a Dental Hygiene student, received the Exceptional Student Life Involvement recognition. Abby Vogt, a Physical Therapist Assistant student, received the Exemplary Academics and Extraordinary Community Engagement recognition.
Hermiller, of Ottawa, was nominated by PTA instructor Chloe Arredondo. As a student and classmate, Hermiller found innovative ways to learn subject matter and shared those with his classmates, including making quizlets and purchasing additional resources. He also asked a professor if he could tour the cadaver lab at Ohio Northern University to aid in his studies.
Hermiller also volunteered his time to work with local children in grades 3-6, teaching them stretching and injury prevention.
“Jeramy’s exceptional dedication, proactive learning and commitment to community service make him an outstanding representative of the Physical Therapist Assistant program,” Arredondo wrote in her recommendation letter. “His actions not only exemplify the qualities of an ideal PTA but also demonstrate the positive impact that our students can have on the wider community.”
Summerskill, of Rossford, was nominated by Sonography chair Julie Posey for her leadership and student life involvement. Summerskill is the 2025 class representative for the Diagnostic Medical Sonography cohort and a student member of the College’s Sonography Advisory Committee. She was one of 10 students across to the country to be selected for the national Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Foundation Emerging Leaders program.
“Candace’s selection is a proud moment for Owens Community College,” Posey wrote in her recommendation letter. “Her involvement not only reflects her exceptional leadership potential, but also brings recognition to our institution. I am confident that Candace will make valuable contributions to our sonography program and positively impact the broader sonography community.”
Summerskill also organized volunteer opportunities for students to get involved with local organizations such as Food for Thought, Stroke Life Gala and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Hepp, of Tiffin, was nominated by Brittany Moore, adjunct instructor in Dental Hygiene. Hepp served as both the vice president and president of the Owens chapter of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. Under her leadership, the organization raised more than $4,500. She also organized a Smile Drive in October that raised more than 350 toothbrushes, 161 tubes of toothpaste and 150 flossers, donated to Lucas County Children’s Services for children in foster care.
Hepp also hosted 32 different oral hygiene presentations in the community. She volunteered at Tent City in Toledo, providing oral cancer screenings to homeless individuals. Hepp will also travel to the Ohio State House in Columbus with Ohio Dental Hygienists’ Association members for Advocacy Day, where they will meet with legislators and state lawmakers.
“Allison is beyond deserving of this recognition for her exemplary didactic and clinical achievements along with her outstanding leadership and community outreach,” Moore said in her recommendation letter. “She has unwavering integrity and her contributions speak volumes.”
Vogt, of Shelby, was nominated by Sara Burke, director and chair of the Physical Therapist Assistant program. Vogt is a member of the Ohio Air National Guard, and Burke wrote that her “approach to learning reflects the structured problem solving and collaborative spirit honed in her military training. Abby brings a unique maturity and perspective to group projects and clinical reasoning exercises, effectively applying principles of teamwork and mission focus learned in the Guard to the complexities of patient care planning.”
Burke’s recommendation letter continued to say, “Abby’s service in the Ohio Air National Guard represents an outstanding example of extraordinary community engagement that extends far beyond typical volunteerism. While balancing coursework, labs, and clinical preparations, she dedicates significant time to drills, training and readiness, prepared to serve the citizens of Ohio and the United States whenever called upon.”
All four students recognized by the Board will graduate in spring 2025 with honors.
Owens Early Learning Center Receives Grant from Handbags That Help Women’s Giving Circle for Creative Curriculum
Posted on April 22nd, 2025
The Owens Community College Early Learning Center, a 5-Star quality-rated program, has received a $5,000 grant from the Handbags That Help Women’s Giving Circle, a program of the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, to support the purchase and implementation of Creative Curriculum materials for its classrooms.
The grant, presented at an awards ceremony at the Findlay Country Club on April 9, will enhance the center’s innovative, developmentally appropriate preschool programming for children ranging from toddlers to age 5.
The Owens Community College Foundation facilitated the grant application process.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation and Handbags That Help for this generous support,” said Danielle Davis, Development Officer of the Owens Community College Foundation. “Creative Curriculum is a nationally recognized tool that helps young children build the foundational skills they need for lifelong success, and this investment directly benefits families and children in our community.”
The project was selected based upon alignment with building strong families in the Findlay area, highlighting the Early Learning Center’s innovative practices and its dual impact: enriching the early education of young children while supporting early childhood education students and first responders who train at the center.
Located at the Owens Findlay-area Campus, the Early Learning Center has served families in the region since 2006, offering high-quality, year-round programming for toddlers through children age 5, as well as a summer program for school-age children to up age 11, in a safe and nurturing environment.
For more information about the Owens Community College Early Learning Center, visit owens.edu/childcare.
Hosted by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, Handbags That Help is a women’s giving circle dedicated to building strong families and increasing philanthropy in Hancock County. The organization collectively funds significant grants to charitable projects and programs in the community. The giving circle has awarded $726,322 since it began in 2008.
Owens Strengthens Regional Education Partnerships, Accelerates Pathways to Workforce Success with Penta and UToledo Collaborations
Posted on April 15th, 2025
Owens Strengthens Regional Education Partnerships, Accelerates Pathways to Workforce Success with Penta and UToledo Collaborations
Owens Strengthens Regional Education Partnerships, Accelerates Pathways to Workforce Success with Penta and UToledo Collaborations
Owens Strengthens Regional Education Partnerships, Accelerates Pathways to Workforce Success with Penta and UToledo Collaborations
Owens Strengthens Regional Education Partnerships, Accelerates Pathways to Workforce Success with Penta and UToledo Collaborations
Owens Community College has reinforced its role as a pivotal connector in the regional education ecosystem with a pair of Express agreements designed to streamline students’ pathways from high school through higher education and into the workforce. In collaboration with Penta Career Center and the University of Toledo (UToledo), Owens solidified separate agreements aimed at addressing the region’s workforce needs and supporting economic growth in northwest Ohio.
“At Owens, we are committed to providing students with the education they need to succeed,” said Dr. Dione D. Somerville, president of Owens Community College. “By partnering with Penta and the University of Toledo, we are ensuring that students have a clear, accessible pathway to higher education and meaningful careers, all while addressing the workforce needs that are so critical to the region’s economic growth. These agreements are a great example of how we can collaborate to make a tangible difference in the lives of our students and the broader community.”
Owens and Penta Career Center signed a new pathway agreement that allows high school students to start their college journey early, offering a seamless transition into higher education. The partnership offers guaranteed admission to Owens upon high school graduation, with qualifying students receiving a $1,000 scholarship plus the opportunity for additional scholarships.
“We are looking forward to the implementation of the Penta Express for our students, providing them with pathway options for post-secondary education at Owens Community College,” said Edward Ewers, superintendent of Penta Career Center. “This partnership is a perfect fit for many of our students who may benefit from additional support as they transition to college. Through priority admission and registration, access to scholarships, and dedicated support services, we believe the Penta Express creates valuable options for our students to pursue and achieve their goals in higher education.”
Additionally, Owens reaffirmed its long-standing partnership with the University of Toledo, extending a pathway agreement that was first established in 2017. Originally renewed in October 2022, the agreement enhances transfer opportunities, allowing Owens students guaranteed admission into bachelor’s programs at UToledo upon completing their associate degrees at Owens.
The renewed Rocket Express Admission Pathway is an evolution of the original agreement between the two institutions, and a reassertion of the commitment to working together for the betterment of the economy and workforce in northwest Ohio.
Since the inception of Rocket Express in 2017, a total of 7,559 students enrolled in the program. In the same timeframe, 4,932 Owens students transferred to UToledo. Nearly one-third of the Owens transfer students (1,522) were enrolled in Rocket Express.
“UToledo is proud of our longstanding partnership with Owens to provide this pathway to success that supports our region’s efforts to grow and retain talent right here at home,” UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder said. “Higher education has always played a critical role in shaping the workforce. We have the power to do more by working together than we can as individual institutions. I look forward to building on this Rocket Express partnership with even more ways to collaborate and positively impact our community.”
The collaboration between Owens, Penta and UToledo is an essential part of regional workforce development, particularly for industries such as advanced manufacturing, technology and engineering. These fields are expected to see substantial growth in the coming years. According to JobsOhio, there is a significant gap between the talent supply and projected market demand in Ohio, particularly in areas like technology and advanced manufacturing. By 2030, northwest Ohio is expected to see a 2.7 percent job growth rate, with particular increases in the demand for Computer and Mathematical Occupations (7.9 percent growth), Architecture and Engineering Occupations (8.1 percent) and Construction and Extraction Occupations (4.1 percent).
As part of these efforts, Owens has worked closely with industry leaders to develop programs that equip students with the skills necessary to meet the demands of the future workforce. In fact, roughly 70 percent of the employees needed by advanced manufacturing companies are in engineering technologies.
A key highlight of the day was the visit from JobsOhio representatives, including Kristi Clouse, Senior Managing Director of Talent, who attended the signings plus toured the Dana Center for Advanced Manufacturing Training and Engineering Technologies buildings. JobsOhio leaders saw firsthand the critical work Owens is doing in areas such as robotics, machining, motor controls, cybersecurity and electrical engineering, among others.
The visit underscored Owens’ commitment to regional workforce development and its pivotal role in the state’s broader efforts to attract and retain a skilled workforce. More than 13,000 students graduate annually in engineering and engineering technology from colleges across Ohio, helping the state remain a leader in manufacturing sectors such as solar panel production, battery production, and glass, plastics and rubber products.
As part of JobsOhio’s “Let’s Grow, Together” initiative and Ohio’s broader economic development strategy, Owens is helping to build out Ohio’s “Silicon Heartland.” This initiative is bolstered by major investments like the arrival of Intel and efforts to attract semiconductor supply chains and innovative companies. Owens is proud to collaborate with Intel to provide 25 scholarships for students studying advanced manufacturing, electrical/electronic engineering technology and semiconductor technician certifications.
“Ohio’s manufacturing workforce is the backbone of its economy, and Owens Community College plays a critical role in developing that talent,” said Kristi Clouse, senior managing director of talent at JobsOhio. “Through partnerships like those signed between Owens, Penta Career Center and the University of Toledo, we can ensure students have clear, seamless pathways and are well-prepared to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving industries that will shape Ohio’s future.”
For more information on the Owens School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, please visit owens.edu/stem. To learn more about the Owens Workforce and Economic Development, please visit owens.edu/workforce_cs.
More information on Owens Community College is available at our website, owens.edu.
Owens Alumni Hall of Fame Class Featured at Creative Expressions Arts Fundraising Event
Posted on April 8th, 2025
The community is invited to join Owens Community College alumni, faculty and staff for a special evening celebrating the arts at Creative Expressions as well as honoring the College’s second Alumni Hall of Fame class at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, May 3 at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
Creative Expressions, the annual arts fundraiser, supports the endowed Artistic Award Funds for students pursuing a major in our technical arts programs. Nearly $41,000 has been awarded to students from the Artistic Performance Awards since 2014, with 296 students impacted.
This year’s event, entitled “Passport to the Arts” will showcase the arts through interactive and immersive stations where you can explore your artistic talent. The evening will also include a silent auction and hors d’oeuvres catered by Carolyn’s Catering.
Sponsored by the Owens Community College Foundation, the Alumni Hall of Fame awards will be presented to outstanding Owens alumni who have excelled personally and professionally, making a continued and significant difference in their community on a local, state, national or international level. The 2025 Alumni Hall of Fame class includes:
Sharon D. Crawford, a 2006 early childhood education technology graduate who also earned an early child director’s certificate in 2004. Crawford has spent 12 years as a family support partner for Toledo Public Schools.
Steven T. Flowers, a 2012 wide-area networking technology graduate, is a senior cloud solution architect at Microsoft. He is also the author of “Designing and Implementing Cloud-Native Applications Using Microsoft Azure Cosmos DB.”
Diane T. Keil-Hipp, Ph.D., a 1988 applied business graduate who is the chief operations officer for Knight Insurance Group in Toledo.
Linda S. Lear, a Class A CDL certificate earner in 2019, has been an instructor at Owens since 2023 while also earning her bachelor’s degree in social work; she is currently working towards her master’s in the same field.
Brittany Moore, a 2006 dental hygiene graduate, has worked in pediatric dentistry since 2006 in northwest Ohio as well as an oral health screener for the Ohio Department of Health. She is an adjust faculty member at Owens.
Tickets, priced at $100 per couple and $65 for an individual ticket, include a commemorative art tile as a gift. Sponsorship packages as well as other commemorative items and permanent tiles on the mural wall are available for purchase as well.
Owens Creative Arts and Media Presents Performance of “Antigone”
Posted on April 4th, 2025
About “Antigone”
Owens Community College students, faculty and staff will perform “Antigone” as the Spring 2025 Student Production. “Antigone” is a modern adaptation of Sophocles’ classic that bridges the gap to modern audiences while investigating familial relationships, commitment to principles and questions regarding ethics and personal boundaries.
Show dates and times
Thursday, April 10, Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 13 at 3 p.m.
Where
Owens Center for Fine and Performing Arts theater (7270 Biniker Drive, Perrysburg)
Notes
Cast and crew members include current students, alumni and community members
Eleven performers: five are current students, one is a current staff member, two are alumnae, three are community members
Dotson Named Sergeant for Owens Department of Public Safety
Posted on April 3rd, 2025
Dwayne Dotson came to Owens Community College in March 2018 as a Police Officer in the Department of Public Safety. Nearly seven years to the day after his start, Dotson was honored with a promotion to Sergeant in the department.
The department held a ceremony and celebration to honor Dotson this week, with Owens Chief of Police Steven Harrison presenting Dotson with a certificate and his badge.
Dotson spent 30 years as an Ohio State Patrol Trooper before coming to Owens. He said the family-oriented atmosphere is what separates Owens from other places.
“We have a small, tight-knit community that’s all about helping the students,” Dotson said. “The baton has now been passed to me. I’ll do my best to keep up the good work at Owens and keep the campus, students and faculty safe.”
Harrison, who celebrated his sixth anniversary at Owens on April 1, said promoting Dotson was easy based upon his personality and ability to connect with many people on campus.
“His personality, he’s a natural leader. Our people already went to him for questions and advice,” Harrison said. “He’s been like that since I started here. It’s all about his demeanor.
“Whenever I’m out on campus, people are always asking about Dwayne. Working at a college, we’re so community oriented that it’s great the campus community likes and respects my people.”
During the brief ceremony in the Department of Public Safety offices in Alumni Hall, Harrison said he “can’t think of a better person for this position.”
DPS employs 14 officers who patrol both Owens campus locations 24/7/365 along with eight civilians in various roles.
For more information on the Owens Department of Public Safety, please visit owens.edu/dps.
President Somerville Receives Trailblazer, Difference Maker Awards
Posted on March 26th, 2025
President Somerville
President Somerville
President Somerville
President Somerville
President Somerville
President Somerville
President Dr. Dione D. Somerville has received two awards in the past two months in recognition of her leadership at Owens Community College.
The Lucas County Commissioners honored Somerville as part of their Women’s History Month celebration at a regular meeting Tuesday morning, March 25. The Ohio House of Representatives presented Somerville with a Difference Maker in Our Community award as part of a Black History Month event on Sunday, February 16.
Both awards included official proclamations.
Lucas County Commissioners Lisa Sobecki, Pete Gerken and Anita Lopez presented their proclamation, which read, in part, that Somerville “has proven to be a trailblazer and visionary leader in higher education, demonstrating a profound commitment to advancing the lives of students, while fostering environments where all students feel seen, supported, and empowered to thrive.”
Ohio House Rep. Elgin Rogers Jr. signed the Difference Maker proclamation along with House Speaker Matt Huffman and Rep. Haraz Ghanbari. An excerpt of the statehouse proclamation noted Somerville is “a remarkable individual, combining civic concern and dedication with selfless initiative to become a dynamic leader.”
Somerville is actively engaged in the Owens legal district, an area which includes Lucas, Wood and Hancock counties and portions of Ottawa and Sandusky counties. She said meeting with government officials and community members is vital to providing high-quality training and education.
“On behalf of Owens Community College, I am proud to accept these awards from the Lucas County Commissioners and the Ohio House of Representatives,” Somerville said. “The work we do daily at Owens with our faculty and staff is focused on making a positive difference for our region. We want students to have a meaningful academic experience, to achieve their goals and then become trailblazers and difference makers in their own right as productive citizens living and working in our communities.”
Somerville has served as Owens president since June 2021.
Owens Receives Voter Friendly Campus Designation
Posted on March 25th, 2025
Owens Community College is proud to announce its designation as a Voter Friendly Campus for 2025-26 by the Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education.
The mission of the 2025 Voter Friendly Campus designation is to bolster colleges and universities’ efforts to help students overcome barriers to participating in the political process – every year, not just during years featuring federal elections. Owens was evaluated based on a written plan for how we planned to register, educate and turnout student voters in 2024, how we facilitated voter engagement efforts on our campus and a final analysis of our efforts.
This is the first time Owens has received this designation, which started in 2016.
“Owens has always been committed to developing engaged citizens, who upon graduating from Owens have an understanding of community and civic engagement. Most of our students will graduate and continue to work and live in this area, so it’s important to us to build a culture that encourages active citizenship and involvement in local, state and federal elections. We will always do everything we can to encourage and support that effort,” said Krista Kiessling, director of the Owens Campus and Community Connections.
Late in 2024, Owens was also recognized as a 2024 ALL IN Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting.
Owens becomes only the third college or university in northwest Ohio ever to receive the Voter Friendly Campus designation, and the fifth community college in the state.
In 2023, Owens created a Voter Engagement Team that consists of faculty and staff from Student Affairs, Academic Affairs and Marketing. That team meets quarterly to discuss strategies for increasing student voter engagement on campus and increasing voter education.
The Voter Engagement Team has helped increase student voter engagement at Owens, tracked by a National Study of Learning, Voting and Engagement survey. From 2014 to 2020, the voting rate for registered voters at Owens increased from 24.1 percent to 70.5. During that same time, the registration rate increased from 67.5 percent to 79.
Among the voter engagement activities on the Owens campus in 2024 were five visits from the Wood County League of Women’s Voters to assist with voter registration and voter education; those visits have continued into 2025. A Cakes with Blake event also engaged voters as Owens vice president of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Dr. Blake Renner made pancakes with other breakfast items in the College Hall atrium in early November.
The Voter Friendly Campus designation program was started in 2016 as a tool to support higher education institutions fulfilling the Higher Education Act of 1965, which necessitates those institutions distribute voter registration forms to their students.
For more information on voter engagement at Owens, please visit owens.edu/vote.
Owens Participates in Joint Effort to Train Workers for Hydrogen-Based Infrastructure
Posted on February 26th, 2025
A collection of colleges and universities in northern Ohio, including Owens Community College, recently secured $3 million in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to support the Academic Programs to Enhance the Hydrogen Economy project.
The effort brings together Owens, the University of Toledo, Case Western Reserve University, Cuyahoga Community College and Northwest State Community College with the Ohio Aerospace Institute and the Workforce Intelligence Network. The goal is to train workers for new and existing jobs to safely store and handle hydrogen and build and maintain hydrogen-based infrastructure.
“Owens Community College is happy to collaborate with such amazing institutions to study the future of a hydrogen-based infrastructure. This project could not happen without the efforts of the University of Toledo, along with United States Representative Marcy Kaptur. This is another way for Owens to help train and educate the workforce of tomorrow in northwest Ohio,” said Charlene Page, executive director of Owens Workforce and Economic Development.
An online discussion on “Workforce Readiness for the Hydrogen Economy in Ohio and Michigan” will take place from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, February 27. The virtual discussion will identify current and future workforce needs in Ohio and Michigan. The public is welcome to attend the discussion to learn more about the efforts. You can register for the discussion at this link.
The funding from the Department of Energy will allow the collaborative effort to establish a workforce development program and expand course offerings. The project aims to develop new training programs to provide skilled workers needed for the hydrogen-based economy in northern Ohio while also serving as a model for future expansion of workforce development programs.
Owens will develop and implement new credit and workforce training programs to support the hydrogen economy. It will collaborate with the other institutions to develop the course content. The schools will also explore a transfer program that would allow students from Owens to transfer to a bachelor degree program in hydrogen academic program at Toledo or other Ohio universities.
“Owens’ STEM and Workforce departments will continue to develop strong academic and workforce programs in coordination with regional employers, secondary schools and stakeholders,” Page said. “This funding will support and encourage Owens’ ability to be an indispensable partner in workforce and economic development throughout northwest Ohio.”
Page said one of the most important steps is establishing a map of our current hydrogen-based infrastructure. With the project still in the information-gathering stage, the group sent a survey to key stakeholders in the area, called the Hydrogen Social Network Analysis, an effort to map the regional hydrogen ecosystem that will shape the future of hydrogen. The first survey identifies connections and collaboration opportunities among organizations, and a second survey will concentrate on workforce needs and job skills.
Plans are to recruit students as early as Fall 2026.
Hammond elected chair, Bridenbaker vice chair of Owens Board of Trustees
Posted on February 14th, 2025
Mary Beth Hammond
Mike Bridenbaker
Owens Community College is proud to announce the results of the Board of Trustees annual elections. Mary Beth Hammond was re-elected as chair of the board, and Mike Bridenbaker was elected as vice chair for the upcoming year.
Hammond was first appointed to the Board of Trustees in December 2013. She graduated from the University of Northwestern Ohio and retired from Fifth Third Bank in Findlay, with more than 30 years of financial experience, as Senior Private Banker and Vice President.
She is the past president of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of The Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute. She was also recognized by the Findlay Rotary Club with a “Service Above Self” award in 2022 and is a past Athena award recipient in Wood and Hancock counties.
Bridenbaker was first appointed to the board in October 2023. A graduate of Hillsdale College, he is a Business Unit Controller for Light Vehicle Drive Systems at Dana Incorporated. He’s been employed by Dana for more than 25 years.
The board also set their committees for the upcoming year. Bridenbaker will serve as the Board Designee for the Foundation Board of Directors.
Diana Talmage will serve as the committee chair for the Student Life Committee, with Matt McAlear and Srini Hejeebu.
Travis Reiff will be the chair for the Finance Committee, with Rich Rowe, Rita Russell and Sherina Ohanian.
Owens Among Ohio Community Colleges to Receive $5.7 Million Grant for Educating Manufacturing Engineers
Posted on February 10th, 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor approved a $5.7 million Strengthening Community Colleges Training grant for the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership, a consortium of five Ohio community colleges working to educate and train manufacturing engineers for the state’s advanced manufacturing workforce.
Owens Community College is one of the consortium members, along with Lorain County Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Terra State Community College and North Central State Community College.
“We’re excited to see the impact the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership can make in Ohio. By helping Owens continue to educate the future workforce, this partnership will keep Ohio as one of the nation’s leaders in advanced manufacturing,” said Dan Burklo, Owens dean of the School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.
The award puts the North Shore Manufacturing Workforce Partnership as one of 18 similar initiatives funded across the United States; a total of $65 million was awarded in grants to 18 colleges in 14 states.
The grant empowers the consortium to scale affordable, high-quality engineering technician career pathways, expand earn-and-learn opportunities and support underserved communities in accessing high-demand manufacturing careers.
The program will expand critically needed capacity to meet the needs of Ohio’s rapidly growing advanced manufacturing center through integrated industry-education collaboration. The program will prepare 875 individuals to enter good paying, in-demand jobs, with each college committing to at least 175 participants.
Along with the community colleges, the partnership works closely with the Ohio Technical Skills Innovation Network, the Ohio Association of Community Colleges and the Ohio Manufacturer’s Association, as well as regional, industry-led partnerships.
Owens is one of the area’s leaders in training the next generation of skilled manufacturing professionals in the Department of Advanced Manufacturing and Department of Skilled Trades. Students can choose from associate degrees in CAD, Electronics Engineering Technology and Advanced Manufacturing, and certificates in Semiconductor Technician, Water Treatment Professions and Manufacturing Foundations. The advanced manufacturing programs are housed in the Dana Center, which was designed to provide highly technical and integrated training in a modernized setting.
To learn more about advanced manufacturing programs at Owens, please visit owens.edu/stem.
Owens Creative Arts and Media Hosting Spark Summit in March
Posted on February 7th, 2025
The Owens Community College Department of Creative Arts and Media will host the Spark Summit on Thursday, March 6, at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The Spark Summit is an all-day event that includes more than 20 sessions related to careers in the visual and performing arts.
“The arts thrive when communities come together to share ideas, experiences and expertise. The Spark Summit is a reflection of our dedication to building meaningful connections between students, educators and the creative industry within our community,” said Michael Sander, Owens dean of the School of Liberal Arts.
“The Spark Summit is more than just an event — it’s a catalyst for creativity, collaboration and career growth. By bringing together students and industry professionals, we want to foster a community where artistic passion meets real-world opportunity,” he added.
Attendees will meet educators and professionals from a variety of fields, and a networking simulation room will offer portfolio and resume review.
The keynote speaker is Becca Monteleone, an assistant professor of disability studies at the University of Toledo and founder of the Plain Truth Project, a collaboration between scholars, journalists and self-advocates with intellectual disabilities aimed at making news media more accessible.
The other keynote will be a panel discussion with the creators of the recent documentary film, “The Trail Fire of 1961: Toledo Firefighting’s Deadliest Disaster,” including Joe Walter, executive producer; Steven Hanson, producer; Sandra McLendon, producer; Phillip Kaplan, writer and director; Ryan Lynch, producer and editor; and Mark Reiter, audio mixing.
Other sessions will be related to artificial intelligence, internships, transfer opportunities and communication.
“At Owens Community College, we are committed to equipping our students with the tools they need to thrive in creative industries,” Sander said. “The Spark Summit provides direct access to networking and insights from professionals who understand the evolving landscape of technical arts fields.”
The Spark Summit is presented in collaboration with the American Advertising Federation Toledo.
For more information on the Spark Summit, including a complete list of sessions and speakers, visit owens.edu/cam/sparksummit.
Owens Adjunct Instructor Educates Future Leaders
Posted on February 3rd, 2025
Karl Parker
Karl Parker’s career had taken him across the globe, so when he was set to retire and return to northwest Ohio, he had one question.
What’s next?
Turns out, he found his “next” by being an adjunct instructor in Business Technologies at Owens Community College.
“I’ve always wanted to do some kind of teaching, and in corporate America, I’m doing teaching on a regular basis,” Parker said. “As I was ready to retire from Saudi Aramco, I was thinking of ways to give back some of the global experience I had to students.”
Parker is one of more than 780 adjunct instructors at Owens, a group of people who teach classes part-time in their specialized field of expertise.
A native of Toledo, Parker spent nearly 10 years as a Senior Business Excellence Consultant for Saudi Aramco in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. His professional career started in the early 1990s with Owens Corning and included various roles with different branches of General Electric.
During his first semester as an adjunct instructor in fall 2024, Parker taught a cohort of students in the Caterpillar Service Technician Program. While he was accustomed to teaching in a corporate environment, he quickly realized he’d need to take a different approach with college students.
“I was teaching corporate people who had already graduated from college, so I had to go back to the basics of teaching,” Parker said. “I had to remember that most of them are first-time college students. They don’t have a lot of global experience and those kinds of things, so they might not be familiar with the jargon or language.”
Parker said the process of becoming an adjunct was easy and stress-free, saying, “Everyone was completely helpful. They provided a pathway to learning how to do things. … They set me up for success.”
His goals for his students are to lay a foundation as to why the information they’re learning in his class is important to the real world, making it valuable for them in their futures.
The students aren’t the only ones benefitting from the arrangement, though. Parker admitted he receives plenty from working for Owens, which he called “an amazing organization, a foundation in our community.”
“As an adjunct, it allows you to connect with the next generation of people and students, and it enables you to hone your skills and your knowledge base,” Parker said. “It also prepares you for your next opportunity, making you a better leader and better contributor to society.”
To learn more about adjunct instructor teaching opportunities at Owens, visit owens.edu/employment.
Owens Spring 2025 Enrollment Increases 6.7 Percent with Largest New Student Enrollment since 2017
Posted on January 28th, 2025
Owens Advisor Adam Wagner assists student Anisa Zafer with Spring 2025 registration
Owens Community College continued to enroll new students at record pace for Spring Semester 2025, boosting the total enrollment to 7,396 at the 14th day census headcount date. The total enrollment represented a 6.7 percent increase over the Spring 2024 total of 6,929.
Owens enrolled 768 new students for Spring 2025, its most new students for the spring since enrolling 792 new students in 2017. All told, Owens enrolled 2,702 new students in the 2024-2025 academic year, a 24.4 increase over 2023-2024 (2,172). The 2023-2024 total represented a 4.4 increase over the 2022-2023 academic year total (2,081).
“It’s exciting to see new students taking advantage of what Owens offers, choosing career-focused degrees and certificates or starting on a university-transfer pathway,” said Dr. Blake Renner, Owens vice president of enrollment management and student affairs. “The new student enrollment growth from past semesters is making a difference in our overall enrollment. As these new students persist toward their educational goals, we are observing our overall enrollment counts increase which is exactly what we want to see both for the college and for the students.”
In 2024, Owens completed a reorganization of the Student Affairs division to better assist students, including the creation of a Re-Engagement Office focused on re-enrolling students who previously stopped out. For Spring 2025, returning student enrollment increased 34.3 percent (314 students compared to 234 in Spring 2024). A returning student has an enrollment history at Owens but has not attended for the previous two semesters.
College Credit Plus enrollment totaled 1,724 students compared to 1,415 in Spring 2024 (21.8 percent increase). The Student Affairs division has dedicated staff working with the high school student population to assist in the process of earning college credit while still in high school.
“We have continued to focus on our processes that support our students,” Renner said. “We are better positioned to assist students from their first day at Owens. We have created a consistent student experience from the point of initial interest all the way to graduation.”
An enrollment census occurs each semester on the 14th day after classes begin, which was Monday, January 27 for Spring 2025. Owens will continue to enroll students throughout the semester for classes that begin at different starting dates.
Owens Students Test Workday Applications During Mock Semester Event
Posted on January 27th, 2025
Owens Community College students will soon have a new platform for managing their student experience in Workday Student. Students were invited to test the Workday Student application during a recent Mock Semester event.
Held over two days, the Mock Semester event gave students an opportunity to explore the new system and provide feedback on the experience. Workday Student goes live for the general population in late February 2025.
Owens director of Student Services works with a student during the Mock Semester testing of the new Workday Student application.
“Early feedback is vitally important,” said Marcos Gomez, Owens director of student services. “The sooner we know about any issues or hiccups with the system, the sooner we can fix it to provide a better user-friendly experience for students when it goes live.”
Students were provided different scenarios to work through on Workday Student. While most were asked to log in as themselves as current students, some were asked to log in as new students. They were then given different tasks to perform in Workday Student.
Students who participated and filled out the survey received a $25 gift card and the opportunity to register early for summer and fall 2025 semesters.
Workday Student is a cloud-based platform that provides access from anywhere. Among other uses, Workday Student provides a platform for students to:
Update personal information
Register for courses
View financial aid awards
Check grades and transcripts
Manage student account and tuition payments
The College has previously transitioned to Workday as the administrative system for finance, human resources and payroll experiences. The move to Workday provided more modern tools and user experience while enabling improvements to the College’s business processes.
Workday is a leading provider of enterprise cloud applications for finance, human resources and student system. The decision to replace the previous system, Banner, with Workday aligned with Owens’ strategic goal to improve and enhance the student experience, including modernizing business processes, reducing inefficiencies and connecting student information into a single system. Deploying Workday allowed Owens to focus on the needs of its employees, keep students better engaged, streamline operations and provide information needed to make stronger decisions.
Owens Receives Grant to Help Fund 2025 Jill of All Trades™ Event
Posted on January 23rd, 2025
Owens Community College was the first institution in the United States to host a Jill of All Trades event.
Owens Community College has received a grant to help support the third Jill of All Trades™ event in October 2025. Jill of All Trades™ provides an opportunity for young people to explore how a future in the skilled trades can give them a rewarding career through hands-on workshops and networking with local employers and industry partners.
This initiative will be funded in part by an $8,500 grant from the Toledo Rotary Club Foundation Fund of the Greater Toledo Community Foundation. Corporate sponsorships also help fund Jill of All Trades™.
Established in 2014 in Canada, Jill of All Trades™ provides firsthand learning experiences for young women in grades 9-12 to introduce them to the possibilities of a career in skilled trades including advanced manufacturing and transportation. The day-long event aims to inspire these women by providing a safe and engaging learning environment through workshops led by industry and college mentors.
Owens was the first institution in the United States to host the event in 2023. By hosting the event on the Owens Toledo-area Campus, area students are exposed to the opportunity to continue their education in one of the career-focused programs, certificates and two-year degrees in the skilled trades.
In 2024, more than 80 students from area high school participated in the event. Schools included Penta Career Center, Central Catholic, Maumee Valley Country Day School, Perrysburg, Scott, Start, Sylvania Southview, St. Ursula Academy, Toledo Technology Academy and Whitmer.
Owens Adds National Championship Volleyball Team, 4 All-Americans, Soccer Coach to Express Hall of Fame
Posted on January 7th, 2025
2018 Volleyball Team
Sean Bucknor
Brittany (Egbert) Fox
Harrison Long
Jeryn Reese
Art Johnson
The Owens Express Athletics Hall of Fame is back in 2025, recognizing the outstanding achievements of athletes and coaches from years past. In the Hall of Fame Class of 2025, Owens will add the 2018 NJCAA national championship volleyball team, four two-time All-Americans and Art Johnson, the coach who originated the men’s soccer program.
Ceremonies will be held during halftime of the men’s and women’s basketball games on Saturday, January 25 at the Student Health and Activities Center. The men’s game will begin at 11 a.m. A reception will follow the conclusion of the women’s game.
Men’s soccer attacking midfielder Sean Bucknor (Montego Bay, Jamaica) scored 28 goals in each of the 2006 and 2007 seasons for a total 56 goals, which remains the top goal mark in school history today. He was a second-team All-American in 2006 and first-team All-American in 2007. The two-time Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) Player of the Year led the 2007 Express to a 15-5-2 record. Bucknor played one season in Major League Soccer with Dallas.
Volleyball middle blocker Brittany (Egbert) Fox (Hopewell-Loudon/Fostoria) was a second-team All-American in 2010 and 2011. She was twice selected OCCAC Player of the Year. She was one of the most decorated Express volleyball players in history and ranked second in school history in kills and hitting efficiency at the time she graduated. The 2011 team achieved the highest winning percentage in school history (45-5, .900).
Harrison Long (Tamworth, United Kingdom) completed one of the best two-year careers in Express golf history from 2013-2015. He won nine times and averaged 73.9, including six sub-70 rounds. He was honored as a NJCAA second-team All-American and honorable mention All-American in 2014 and 2015, respectively. Men’s golf was a varsity sport at Owens from 2005-2016.
Forward Jeryn Reese (Mansfield) was the first two-time All-American for the women’s basketball team, earning second-team honors in 2015-16 and 2016-17. The 2017 OCCAC Player of the Year finished fifth on the program’s career scoring list and first in total rebounds. Her teams went undefeated in OCCAC play with a combined 30-0 record in two seasons. She led Owens to a 31-1 record in 2016-17 and helped the program achieve the first undefeated regular season in the college’s athletics history. Reese went on to play for NCAA Division I LaSalle University.
Johnson began the Owens men’s soccer program in 1998 after 12 seasons as Toledo St. John’s head coach. His Owens-led teams played entertaining soccer, compiling a 207-144-21 overall record in 18 seasons. Johnson coached three All-Americans and 13 Academic All-Americans. He sent more than 30 players to four-year schools, including seven players to the NCAA Division I level. Johnson’s 2012 team won the school’s first OCCAC championship, leading to Johnson receiving conference coach of the year honors. He won the OCCAC award five times.
Coach Sonny Lewis, assistant coach Denny Caldwell and the 2018 volleyballteam won the NJCAA national championship a year after finishing as national tournament runner-up. The Express defeated Eastfield College 3-2 in the title match held in Rochester, Minnesota. Ranked No. 1 to end the regular season, the Express compiled a 40-6 record and had a 15-match winning streak at one point. Michaela Eisenhauer (Margaretta) was named national tournament MVP. Summer Sweeting (North Fairfield) and Kennedy (Ames) Kromenacker (Milan Edison) also were named to the all-tournament team. Lewis received national coach of the year honors.
The team also included Mornay McBroom (Lima Central Catholic), Kayla Bekier (Northwood/Lake), Kiah (Wendel) Bruns (Fort Recovery), Kara (Schafer) Burns (Monroeville), Madison Allemeier (Lima/Edison), Kara (Evers) Dirksen (Marion Local), Ella Delamotte (Lima Central Catholic), Kinsey (Finnen) DeGier (Delta), Shyah Wheeler (Elida), Carlie (Bengela) Kenyon (Toledo/Whitmer). The coaching staff also included Kristen Gyori, Maddy Smyth and John Mower.
The Owens Express Hall of Fame originated in 2016 and continued inducting classes through 2018. Due to staffing changes within the athletics department and the COVID-19 pandemic, no class was inducted for the past six years. The first three classes featured four student-athletes, three teams, three coaches/athletic directors and one college administrator. Visit www.owensexpress.com/HOF for more information about the Owens Express Hall of Fame.
Owens Receives Prestigious Award for John Deere Tech Program
Posted on December 18th, 2024
Thanks to a continued focus on high standards, the John Deere Tech Program at Owens Community College was honored with a Platinum Award from the College of Tomorrow, the highest honor given out.
The “College of Tomorrow” was created in 2011 to improve the alignment and processes across all John Deere College Partnership Programs in the United States. Awards are granted with Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze levels.
“The criteria in this program are robust. We are honored to meet John Deere Tech’s high standards and receive the top Platinum honors in the College of Tomorrow awards program,” said Heath Weilnau, Owens John Deere Tech program coordinator and instructor.
The College of Tomorrow criteria are:
Continuing education training
Student enrollment and retention
Program promotion and recruiting events attended
Dealer advisory board meetings and utilization of feedback
On-job dealership visits
Communication with dealers and John Deere on program updates.
The John Deere Tech Program is a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree at Owens, designed to train technicians to fit the needs of John Deere dealerships. Owens is one of only 21 college worldwide to offer the John Deere Tech Program.
Each student in the program must be sponsored by a John Deere dealership, which will partner with Owens to help train the student during an eight-week paid internship at the dealership, in addition to the student’s eight weeks in the classroom at Owens Toledo-area Campus.
For more information about the John Deere Tech program at Owens, please visit owens.edu/johndeere.
Iconic Silo on Owens Campus Slated for Demolition
Posted on December 13th, 2024
It has stood at the intersection of Oregon Road and Biniker Drive before there was an intersection, before there was even an Owens Community College.
Now, the iconic silo that’s welcomed visitors to campus for nearly 60 years is coming down. Due to its age and resulting safety concerns, demolition of the silo will begin on Monday, December 16.
Noticeable leaning of the structure prompted Owens officials to evaluate the silo. Marietta Inspection Services recommended that the silo be demolished because of its age and condition and noted it could not be preserved.
The demolition will be conducted by Klumm Brothers, dismantling the silo from the top down. The length of the process will be unknown until workers start the process and assess the difficulty.
A first inspection was completed on the silo in 2016 because of leaning, but it was determined to be structurally safe at that time.
Undated historic photo of Owens silo
There is no known documentation to specify exactly how old the silo is, but it was in place when Owens made its first land purchase from Clarence and Mary Biniker in 1971. Two more purchases, in 1986 and 1991, brought the total land purchased from the Biniker family farm to approximately 65 acres, leading to the completion of the east side of the Owens campus.
Nearly 20 percent of the Owens Toledo-area Campus’ 368 acres was formerly part of the Biniker family farm.
The silo, along with the Biniker farmhouse, was part of the 1991 purchase. That land is now the site of the Galleria Complex, which includes the new Healthcare Education Center, Center for Fine and Performing Arts and the Student Health and Activities Center, among other facilities.
“What a story that silo could tell if it could talk. From the foundational practice of farming in Ohio to the development and growth of Owens Community College, the silo has stood guard over the Biniker farm and Owens,” Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville said. “As Owens approaches its 60th anniversary, we must consider the continued evolution of our physical structures and their safety and footprint on our campus.
“We are saddened by this development as the silo represents an important part of Owens’ history, but the safety of our college community is always our top priority.”
The east-to-west roadway through the eastside of campus is named in honor of the family whose sale of the land led to the expansion of the Toledo-area Campus.
The silo will be remembered and preserved through photographs and videos.
Water Workforce Coalition Graduates Second Student Cohort on December 5
Posted on December 4th, 2024
Congratulations to the cohort 2 graduates!
A second cohort of 23 Owens Community College students will earn their Water Treatment Professions certificate at 9 a.m. Thursday, December 5 in Veterans Hall.
Owens is part of the Water Workforce Coalition, which was formed thanks to a $500,000 grant from the U.S. EPA. TMACOG and the City of Toledo also form the coalition, which responded to northwest Ohio’s anticipated operator shortages due to retirements by 2028.
The first cohort of 22 Owens students graduated in May 2024. From that class, 63 percent (12 graduates) earned their state certification and 68 percent (13 graduates) are currently employed: six are employed in drinking water positions and seven in wastewater positions. Three students from the class chose not to pursue a water workforce career.
From the second student cohort, Madison Preteroti of Findlay will speak at the completion celebration. She has already passed her state certification and received a job offer. Amy Klei, chief, Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, Ohio EPA, will deliver the keynote address.
Dr. Denise Smith, Owens provost and vice president, academic affairs, Sandy Spang, executive director of TMACOG, and Andy McClure, commissioner of plant operations for the City of Toledo, will speak as well.
Dr. Mary Kaczinski, Owens professor of environmental science and lead instructor for the certificate, will emcee the program.
The final Water Workforce Coalition cohort will begin classes in January. A few seats remain available. To learn more, visit https://waterworksforyou.org/.
Owens Graduates 349 Students, Including 120 Nurses
Posted on December 3rd, 2024
Owens Community College will graduate 349 students, including 120 nurses, at its 44th Fall Commencement Friday, December 6 at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Theatre.
This is the final registered nursing class to complete its studies in Heritage Hall. The nursing program will join the School of Nursing and Health Professions’ allied health programs in relocating to the $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center for classes in January.
The nursing graduation and pinning ceremony is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Colton Johnson of Toledo, Registered Nursing Program major, received two outstanding graduate awards, earning the Peggy Bensman Award and Barbara Rood Student Choice Nursing Award. The Bensman Award, named after the nursing program’s founder, is the highest honor for a nursing graduate.
Ariel Campbell of Toledo, Whitney Heminger of Bettsville and Jessica Lightle of Waterville also received Barbara Rood Student Choice Nursing Awards as Registered Nursing majors.
Heminger attended class on the Findlay-area Campus. The graduating class incudes 58 students from the Findlay-area Campus.
The School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics will hold the first graduation ceremony at 9 a.m., followed by a joint ceremony for the schools of Liberal Arts and Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety at 12 p.m.
In Liberal Arts, Geography Transfer Pathway major Elizabeth White of Perrysburg received the Gerald Bazer Award for Outstanding Arts and Science Graduate. The Bazer Award is named after the original dean for arts and sciences programming. Sophie Kepling of Bowling Green was named Education Transfer Concentration Outstanding Graduate Award recipient and Kelly Rowen of Walbridge was named Social Work Transfer Pathway Outstanding Graduate Award recipient.
In the School of Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety, Brittany LeGare of Curtice was named Business Technologies Outstanding Graduate Award recipient. She is a Paralegal Transfer Concentration major.
A total of 101 students will graduate with honors, earning a 3.5 grade-point average or higher.
Owens now has awarded more than 45,000 associate degrees, with this class bringing the total to 45,187.
Admission to the Commencement ceremonies is by ticket only. All ceremonies also will be livestreamed. Visit www.owens.edu/commencement to watch online.
Four Glass City Academy students received their Northwest Ohio Pre-Apprenticeship Program certificates at a ceremony at the Owens Community College Dana Center for Advanced Manufacturing Training. The students also earned their OSHA 10 certification and Ohio Means Jobs Readiness seal and complete the Lead 4 Change program.
Four Glass City Academy students will receive their Northwest Ohio Pre-Apprenticeship Program certificates at a ceremony at 11:30 a.m. Friday, November 22 at the Owens Community College Dana Center for Advanced Manufacturing Training. The students also will earn their OSHA 10 certification and Ohio Means Jobs Readiness seal and complete the Lead 4 Change program.
The ceremony will be held in the Dana Center’s Haas Machining Lab.
“These students are equipped with entry-level manufacturing skills, giving them vital skills for the northwest Ohio job market,” said Charlene Page, Owens executive director of Workforce and Economic Development. “It’s our goal to build machining talent for the region. A lot of young people do not know what machinists do. These four young people have positioned themselves to start on that career path. Regional employers are searching for trained machinists.”
The students completed the 16-hour basic machining course at the Owens lab at Cherry Street Mission Ministries, learning many outcomes including how machining produces goods used in the manufacturing environment. The course covered machine types, tools and tooling, measuring equipment, machine safety and their application in industry.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, machinists in Toledo earn a median annual salary of approximately $57,000.
This program was developed as a partnership between Owens, the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce, Cherry Street Mission Ministries, Glass City Academy, Wood County OMJ/JFS and the Educational Service Center of Lake Erie West. Maumee Assembly and Stamping provided a tour opportunity and Red Wing Boots in Maumee donated a pair of boots for each graduate.
The ceremony will conclude with a reception featuring Cherry Street Mission Ministries Second Helping Food Truck.
Gov. DeWine reappoints two members to Owens Board of Trustees
Posted on November 15th, 2024
Mary Beth Hammond
Travis Reiff
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has reappointed Mary Beth Hammond and Travis Reiff to the Owens Community College Board of Trustees.
Hammond and Reiff will each have terms ending on September 21, 2030.
Hammond is the Board Chair and was originally appointed in 2013. She has more than 30 years of financial experience, retiring from Fifth Third Bank in Findlay as a Senior Private Banker and Vice President. She is a past president of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of The Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute.
Hammond is a graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio.
Reiff is a Trustee and was originally appointed in 2023. He is the Director of Operations at Rosenboom Machine and Tool in Bowling Green. He is a graduate of Trine University.
Owens CDL Training Program Receives Financial Aid Funds from State of Ohio
Posted on November 13th, 2024
The Owens CDL Training Program has received $149,100 from the Commercial Truck Driver Student Aid Program for 2025.
The financial aid program is funded through the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE). It provides financial aid to in-state students who complete a CDL program and agree to reside and be employed in Ohio for a minimum of one year upon completion.
ODHE received 30 applications, with the total funds requested being nearly twice the amount of funding available. Allocations were made based upon demonstrated success.
“The financial aid funding from the Ohio Department of Higher Education will allow us to train additional students in our CDL Training Program – making sure the next generation of truck drivers are safety focused and well-equipped to handle the demands of their jobs,” said Charlene Page, Owens executive director of Workforce and Economic Development. “It’s rewarding to know that in as little as four weeks, someone can complete our program and find themselves in a secure profession making more than $50,000 per year.”
According to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were more than 2.1 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in 2023 with a median income of $26.12 per hour. Ohio had the fifth most drivers in 2023 with 89,560. An additional 102,000 drivers are expected to be hired by 2033.
The Owens CDL Training Program offers small classes and personal attention from instructors. Licensed by the State of Ohio and taught by licensed CDL class instructors, the Owens trucking school and CDL classes provide 160 course hours – 40 hours in the classroom and 120 of hands-on training on the road in our big rigs.
Class A CDL Training classes on the Toledo-area Campus are four weeks long and run from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Classes on the Findlay-area Campus are 10 weeks long and run on the weekend.
HazMat Entry-Level CDL Endorsement training is also available.
For more information on the CDL Training Program at Owens, please visit owens.edu/cdl.
Owens Community College Seeking Nominations for Alumni Hall of Fame
Posted on November 8th, 2024
Owens Community College is seeking nominations for individuals to be inducted into the Owens Alumni Hall of Fame.
Members of the Hall of Fame are recognized for their excellence personally and professionally and for continuing to make significant differences in their community on a local, state, national and international level.
The nomination deadline is 12 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31. A maximum of five individuals, one for each academic college plus one community award, will be inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame.
Nomination criteria and an online nomination form can be found at this link.
Please confirm the nominee is aware of and agrees to the information provided in this nomination form by emailing nominee’s resume, additional documentation, or letters of support to owensalumni@owens.edu following submission of the below form.
Owens Works With Wood County Agency to Identify Returning Students for CREW Program
Posted on November 6th, 2024
Owens Community College is working with the Wood County Department of Job and Family Services (JFS) to assist individuals who have either never gone to college or left before receiving a degree because of certain societal barriers.
The Wood County CREW program (Career Ready and Engaged with Wood County) provides individuals ages 16-24 with resources they need to reach their career goals, including job training and education.
Individuals must be a Wood County resident and meet at least one of the following criteria: not attending or enrolled in school; have a documented disability; been in foster care, either past or present; experiencing homelessness; pregnant or parenting; have a criminal history; low-income household; or other barriers.
According to Shannon Fisher, Employment, Support Services and CREW Wood County supervisor, the program is part of the Comprehensive Case Management and Employment Program, a statewide program in each county.
“The program is to assist … youth with employment and education goals,” she said. “We’re hoping to get a referral system going with Owens so we can assist prospective students or students who might be returning after a break from school.”
The program can assist with tuition for up to two years for an in-demand career as determined by the state. The CREW program can also help with career exploration, books and supplies, and on-going case management. Participants get monthly check-ins with the CREW program as well as goal setting.
Participants may also receive help finding and applying for public assistance programs.
“We have in-school youth, typically high school students that are easier to find, but we need to find more out-of-school youth who have dropped out of high school or graduates who haven’t moved into education or employment post-high school,” Fisher said. “It’s hard to find that population.”
While the CREW program is only for students who have yet to enroll, Fisher said there are other programs through Wood County JFS to assist students currently enrolled or attending classes.
The Owens Re-Engagement Office helps individuals considering a return to school by providing personalized support and discovering various scholarship and financial aid resources, among other services.
Michael Sander, Owens dean of Liberal Arts, has worked with Wood County JFS to form a referral partnership. He pointed out a variety of barriers students experience that can prevent them from obtaining a degree or certificate, all of which can be overcome with the help of the CREW program.
“For many students, not continuing their college education is related to personal barriers such as tuition assistance, childcare, housing, or transportation. The Wood County CREW program helps student who could not continue on their higher educational path by receiving the resources and support needed to return to school and attain a credential,” Sander said.
For more information on the Wood County CREW program, visit this link.
Owens, Wood County Agency Begin Unparalleled Apprenticeship Program
Posted on October 30th, 2024
A new partnership between Owens Community College and Wood County Job and Families Services (JFS) is offering students an opportunity to gain work experience and professional experiences before they start their human services careers.
The Peer Specialist Apprenticeship is a 2,000-hour paid program that allows students to pursue their degrees while gaining hands-on experience in the field. This apprenticeship program for human services is the first of its kind in Ohio.
The apprenticeship can be a springboard to careers in the human services industry, including Child and Adult Protective Services, Workforce Development, Child Support, Income Maintenance and Fiscal Operations.
“The Peer Specialist Apprenticeship is the perfect experiential learning environment for any student looking to enter the human services sector. Wood County Jobs and Family Services has developed a great opportunity where Owens students can gain valuable work experience and professional connections that will follow them their entire career,” said Michael Sander, Owens dean for the School of Liberal Arts.
The program has already received strong support from state-level government officials, according to Peter Prichard, senior workforce consultant with Wood County JFS.
“The world is changing quite a bit, and we’re finding out that how people learn is quite different than it was,” Prichard said. “Simply with how information is coming to our people outside of school on the internet, there’s always an opportunity for learning. We have to direct that learning.
“An apprenticeship helps people focus on a specific area while they’re getting some of that formalized education. It’s definitely a non-traditional approach, but it requires some traditional instruction to go along with it.”
During the course of the apprenticeship, students will fulfill their curriculum and obtain their associate degrees while being eligible to transition into a Child Protective Services Fellowship program.
According to Michael Fuller, Wood County JFS assistant director, there has been an industry-wide struggle to find social workers after the Covid pandemic. Allowing students to gain valuable experience while opening up other sectors under the human services broad umbrella will hopefully help fill those gaps, he said.
“This position would get the knowledge within our agency, but there are entities outside of just our agency that they could apply for jobs to with an associate degree in mental health, hospitals, even other social service agencies,” Fuller said.
“It’s a way for students to come in, you feel them out, they feel you out and see if this is where they want to go. It’s a benefit on both sides.”
Fuller said they’ve recently received their first application for the apprenticeship program.
The Peer Specialist Apprenticeship is currently available to eligible Owens Community College students. Owens Community College is the Ohio University System collaborative partner for related instruction for this Apprenticeship Program.
Owens Programs Receive Prestigious General Motors ASE Reaccreditation
Posted on October 17th, 2024
Chris Kinkade
Owens Community College’s Medium/Heavy Truck Technician program and Automobile Technician program received ASE Program Accreditation through 2029.
Part of the General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program at Owens, these two-year associate degree programs are designed to upgrade the technical competence and professionalism of graduates who become General Motors Service Technicians. The programs are part of the General Motors Automotive Service Educational Program at Owens.
Owens and General Motors collaborated on the programs’ curriculum design. While completing these degrees, students rotate class time and internship at a sponsoring dealership or service center.
“This gives us legitimacy with the industry,” Owens automotive/GM ASEP instructor Christopher Kinkade said. “It tells the industry that we’re meeting the standards they need, so when we get students in here, they’re going to be up to their standards. There’s no way we could have the GM involvement unless we have this.”
The ASE accreditation puts Owens are the forefront of educating and training the next generation of skilled employees. According to Kinkade, other colleges will work on cars dating back from the 1990s. Because of the ASE accreditation and relationship with GM, Owens students work and train on the latest models with the newest technology, such as a recently donated Cadillac XT5.
“This keeps our technology at a state-of-the-art level so we can make sure these students are going to have the same standards and same education and go and take the next step in their professional journey,” Kinkade said.
The ASE accreditation process started in the beginning of May and lasted through the summer. The Owens program had to justify and prove its methods were in line with GM ASE standards. There was also an online auditing process before they reviewed the Owens program, including on-site visits.
Kinkade called it a “super intense process” that took countless hours and effort from multiple people in the Transportation Technology department and throughout the Owens campus.
For more information on the GM Automotive Service Educational Program at Owens, visit owens.edu/gmasep.
English Corner Celebrates 12 Years of Helping Non-Native Speakers at Owens
Posted on October 2nd, 2024
For 12 years, the volunteers with the Owens Community College English Corner program have helped non-native speakers become more comfortable with the language and culture in America.
The program is in addition to the college’s English For Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes. In English Corner, individuals practice their English skills in a relaxed, low-stress environment. They meet weekly in Heritage Hall.
It’s that environment that keeps Kanann Bou Kanaan, originally of Lebanon, coming back to the group.
“When I started to study English, this was a very good group,” he said. “I still need some practice. When you’re here, it feels more like friends who help you get ahead. It’s more like visiting with friends and not a class.”
Bou Kanaan, who lives in northwest Ohio, also speaks Arabic, French, Italian and Spanish.
For Betsy White, a long time English Corner volunteer, she’s surprised how many professionals come from other countries and are looking to improve their English before getting a job. She also remarked about how spouses and families have come to northwest Ohio because of a job transfer.
“It’s a joy to watch them bravely open their mouths the first time,” White said. “It turns out they really do know a lot, so we try to give them a safe space where we encourage them and won’t laugh at them, make them feel like they can do this.”
White started with the English Corner program in 2006 at University of Toledo. During a recent English Corner visit, she was joined by volunteers Keith Lewis, who started in 2016, and Annette Clark, who started the program at Owens in 2012.
“It’s so satisfying for me to sit across from someone who doesn’t speak English very well and encourage them to talk, to help them with communication, and then you come back and see the progression,” Clark said. “You feel like you’re helping somebody.”
One of the topics that kept popping up with the volunteers was the bravery of the individuals who left their home behind to come to a new country.
“They’re brave, and I respect that,” Lewis said. “It’s one of the reasons I want to come here and encourage them. They’re doing a crazy thing.”
For White, it boils down to the Golden Rule, treating people as she would like to be treated herself.
“If I was in a different country, would I want someone to help me? Yes,” White said.
The educational opportunity isn’t just a one-way street in English Corner, either. The volunteers all spoke about how interesting it is to learn about the cultures in other countries and even some of the misconceptions the students have about American life and culture.
It doesn’t happen often, but Clark has taken a few of the students on trips outside of the Owens campus, to locations like the Toledo Museum of Art, the Toledo Botanical Gardens and a piano concert.
“It’s just as much of an education for us,” Clark said. “We often discuss what it’s like in their home country versus here. The cultural exchange is fascinating. We have all these different cultures.”
Owens Hosting Early Childhood Forum on Friday, Oct. 4
Posted on October 1st, 2024
Owens Community College is proud to host the 7th Annual Early Childhood Forum from 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, October 4 at Veterans Hall on the Toledo-area Campus.
The Lucas County Family Council Early Childhood Coordinating Committee is presenting the forum on foundations of infant and early childhood mental health. More than 140 early childhood professionals from around the area are expected the attend the event.
The morning’s keynote speaker is Rachel Shields, a master trainer and director of prevention programming at Children’s Resource Center. The topic of her presentation is Foundations in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health.
The afternoon features a mental health resource panel that includes Kristi Hannan, of Lucas County Family Council; Lee Ann Cox, of Unison Health; Leslie LeFevre, of Zepf Center; Andrea Schuele, of Ohio Guidestone; Lindsay Stomer, of Harbor Behavioral Health; and Shields.
The forum is hosted by the Owens Department of Teacher Education and Human Services. For more information, please visit owens.edu/teachereducation.
Owens Early Childhood Education Technology Program Earns Reaccreditation
Posted on September 26th, 2024
Michelle Arbogast
The Owens Community College Department of Teacher Education and Human Services has received a seven-year Accreditation for its Early Childhood Education Technology program through the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Owens was the first institution in the state to receive NAEYC accreditation more than 20 years ago, and it is still one of only three in Ohio to have the designation. Across the United States and Canada, Owens has one of 214 accredited programs.
“We’re pretty proud of that,” said Michelle Arbogast, chair for Teacher Education and Human Services. “Their standards are tough. They look at everything from your college president to your curriculum to your admissions, your faculty, your support services. It’s very thorough.
“It’s validated all of the hard work and preparation, that we know our students are prepared when they leave here.”
In addition to the associate degree in Early Childhood Education Technology, the Department of Teacher Education and Human Services offers degrees in Community & Family Service, Education Transfer Concentration and Social Work Transfer Pathway, and certificates in Advanced Instructional Technology and Design and Foundations in Instructional Technology and Design. It also has an ASL Interpreter Preparation program.
In addition, the YWCA of Northwest Ohio and Owens have a partnership allowing students in the YWCA program to transition into the Owens Early Childhood Education program. Upon completion of the CDA certification, students can receive up to five credit hours of college credit toward their Early Childhood Education associate degree.
According to a news release from NAEYC, the accreditation “serves as a mechanism for ensuring a consistent and high level of program quality.” The organization sets “national standards for programs that prepare early childhood teachers of children from birth through age 8.”
To retain accreditation, programs must demonstrate that they: meet NAEYC’s standards; respond to the unique needs of their degree candidates and communities; provide intentional learning experiences to allow their degree candidates to obtain the knowledge and skills to be effective; and continually assess and reflect on their degree candidates’ performance.
While the Owens program is reaccredited through 2029, there are annual and biannual reports it must submit to NAEYC.
Arbogast said the bulk of the work came down to her and fellow Teacher Education and Human Services faculty, professor Mindyay from the Findlay-area Campus and adjunct instructors Kimberley Fisher, Belinda Costin and Nehama Miller.
However, she said the process involved the entire team.
“It took a little bit of everybody, from the president to our faculty and secretary and staff,” Arbogast said.
Arbogast said NAEYC commended the Owens team for how thoroughly it reviewed its program. The first report they submitted was 118 pages.
“It’s such an introspective on your program that you not only look at where you are now but what is the vision for the program going forward,” Arbogast said. “It validated the things we do well, our team and the support system we have at Owens.”
For more information on the Owens Department of Teacher Education and Human Services, please visit owens.edu/teachereducation.
Owens announces hiring of new Dean for STEM
Posted on September 25th, 2024
Dr. Dan Burklo
Owens Community College is proud to announce the hiring of Dr. Dan Burklo as the new Dean for Science Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Burklo oversees the departments of Advanced Manufacturing, Computer and Information Systems, Life and Natural Sciences, Mathematics, Skilled Trades and Transportation Technologies.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the Owens team where the welcoming atmosphere is focused on learners, and the desire to meet students where they are and serve them is very clear,” Burklo said. “It is exciting to support our region’s ever-growing demand for STEM graduates, and all the opportunities this provides for our students seeking the STEM career paths.”
Burklo holds a Ph.D. in Leadership in Higher Education from Capella University. His dissertation investigated what motivates youth in Ohio to seek higher education in engineering fields. He also has a Master of Science in Engineering from the University of Toledo, and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Purdue University.
In addition to holding various engineering positions in the automotive sector, Buklo has taught multiple courses in engineering technologies as well as developing certificate and associate degree programs. He previously served as dean and vice president for Academics at other institutions of higher learning.
“Dan’s background in engineering will allow us to continue to move forward in high demand areas in our region,” said Denise Smith, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “He has faculty and administrative experience as well as practice in the field of engineering. We are excited to have someone with such a depth and breadth of knowledge in STEM.”
Burklo has served as the chair for the Ohio Engineering Technology Educators Association as well as being involved in Ohio Guaranteed Transfer Pathways, Transfer Assurance Guidelines and Prior Learning Assessment at the state level. He was also a graduate of the inaugural cohort of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Leadership Academy.
For more information about the STEM programs and degrees, go to owens.edu/stem.
Owens Foundation Golf Classic Raises Record Amount to Support Healthcare Education Center
Posted on September 24th, 2024
The 22nd Annual Owens Foundation Golf Classic presented by Toledo Building Services raised a record total of $85,950.22 at the event in September. The proceeds will be used to support the new Healthcare Education Center at Owens Community College.
The 2024 total is an increase of more than $12,000 from the previous year.
“We are so thankful for the companies and individuals who sponsored and golfed in our outing this year. It was a beautiful day, and we are incredibly appreciative of the support we received through this year’s golf classic,” said Kelle Pack, vice president of the Owens Institutional Advancement Office and executive director of the Owens Community College Foundation. “The proceeds from this year’s event will be used to fund equipment purchases in our new Healthcare Education Center (HEC).
“The HEC, which will be completely open for classes in January 2025, will provide students with state-of-the-art simulation areas to practice interprofessional education and training as they pursue careers serving the public in healthcare. We are excited to support the need for healthcare workers across our region by providing world-class training in our new nursing and health professions education center.”
The Golf Classic, which was played at Belmont Country Club, has generated more than $1 million since its inception.
The 23rd Annual Golf Classic is scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2025, at Belmont Country Club.
The Owens Community College Foundation has provided more than $8 million in support for student scholarships and program and capital assistance since 2002. The Owens Foundation has $8.1 million in endowed funds and scholarships. Visit www.owens.edu/foundation to learn more about how to support Owens Community College.
Owens Department of Public Safety Participating in “Operation Clear Track” on Sept. 24
Posted on September 23rd, 2024
The Owens Community College Department of Public Safety will join with Operation Lifesaver and Amtrak, along with local, state, federal and railroad law enforcement departments across the country, to participate in “Operation Clear Track” on Tuesday, September 24.
“Operation Clear Track” raises awareness and shares rail safety education directly with the community during “See Tracks? Think Train Week,” which runs Sept. 23-29. The event is the largest single law enforcement railroad safety operation in the U.S.
During “Operation Clear Track,” agency law enforcement personnel will be stationed at targeted railroad grade crossings and other locations handing out railroad safety cards to motorists and pedestrians and issuing warnings and citations to violators. The goal is to reduce pedestrian and driver injuries and fatalities around railroad tracks through increased public awareness.
Officers from the Owens Department of Public Safety will be at the Oregon Road and Tracy Road railroad crossings from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Owens Aspire student, educator win state awards
Posted on September 20th, 2024
Millicent Carrick
Duaa MustafaAli
An educator and former student in the Owens Aspire Program for adult learners each received awards from the Ohio Department of Higher Education during Ohio Adult Education Week.
Duaa MustafaAli, an instructor in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program, was named the Outstanding Educator of the Year for the northwest district. She was one of six winners across the state.
Millicent Carrick, who recently passed all components of the GED test and earned her High School Equivalency credential, was named the Outstanding Student of the Year for the northwest district. Carrick was one of five statewide winners.
“We are thrilled to know that, in our region, both the Outstanding Educator and Outstanding Student came from the Owens program,” said Heath Huber, director of the Aspire Program. “Many nominations from all over the state were submitted, each celebrating the efforts of students and staff alike in improving the quality of life for Ohio residents through adult basic education and workforce preparation.”
Adult Education Week was started in 2022. The Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce have used the week to celebrate educators and students of Ohio’s adult education system.
MustafaAli, who has been at Owens for more than five years, said her award is a reflection not only of her efforts but those of the entire Aspire program, saying it’s “a recognition of how much we all invest in our students’ success.”
“My inspiration comes from seeing those ‘light bulb moments’ when learners realize, ‘Hey, I can do this!’ I’m motivated by the thrill of helping people unlock their potential,” she added. “Witnessing their growth and resilience pushes me to work harder to support them in achieving their goals.”
According to Huber, Carrick, of Toledo, showed strength in overcoming challenges along her way, showing skill and perseverance.
MustafaAli and Carrick will be recognized during the Ohio Association for Adult and Continuing Education Award Luncheon on Friday, October 25, in Dublin.
To learn more about the Owens Aspire College and Career Readiness Center, please visit owens.edu/ccr.
Owens Department of Criminal Justice Receives Retired Patrol Vehicles for Training
Posted on September 17th, 2024
The Owens Community College Department of Criminal Justice recently received a donation of two retired Ohio Highway Patrol vehicles for use in its training Ohio Peace Officer Training Academies.
The donation comes courtesy of Ohio State Representative Haraz Ghanbari.
“I am deeply grateful to The Ohio State Highway Patrol for their generous donation of two former patrol vehicles to the Owens Community College Police Academy,” Rep. Ghanbari said. “This contribution greatly enhances the training capabilities at Owens and supports their mission to prepare future law enforcement professionals. I look forward seeing these future officers out in our communities.”
According to Mark King, the manager of the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy in the Department of Criminal Justice, at least half of his current fleet of training vehicles are getting aged with high miles.
With the high cost of vehicles, he cannot go out and purchase new ones every year. This donation allows him to rotate some of the older vehicles out of rotation.
“We don’t use them a lot, but when we do, the use is intense,” King said. “We rely upon these types of donations because the equipment for a public safety program is expensive.
“We can continue our basic driving program, which we do for our basic training academy, and we can offer advanced driving courses as well.”
King said he feels “pretty lucky” to receive the donation from Rep. Ghanbari, who King admits has a much larger reach then he does.
In addition to the Ghanbari donation, other public officials and representatives have been on site to tour the Center for Emergency Preparedness. Having those types of individuals on campus is critical, according to King.
“We need people like that to help us get the exposure so our programs become well known,” King said. “Our academies are some of the top open-enrollment academies in the state, but if people don’t know that it doesn’t help us that much.
“We’re a state agency, we don’t receive a lot of funding streams, so we have to rely on things like this to help us. Representative Ghanbari can touch thousands of people.”
The Center for Emergency Preparedness is one of six Close to Home regional advanced training programs in Ohio, through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission. It also rents out space to outside agencies, such as Homeland Security, Toledo Police, Toledo Fire and Rescue, and the FBI.
Part of the training is putting students through the paces on Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy road courses on the Owens campus.
“Pursuit driving is very dangerous,” King said. “We know what they need to be safe on the street, especially during a high-speed chase.”
Having these new vehicles helps ensure Owens can turn out qualified individuals who are prepared to handle what the situations dictates.
“To me, good training can prevent or mitigate bad things that happen in policing,” King said. “Is it 100 percent? No, the human condition is too dynamic. It has been proven that good training can reduce or mitigate a lot of those really bad errors we see in policing, for the safety of our officers and community members.”
To learn more about the Owens Center for Emergency Preparedness, visit owens.edu/cep.
To learn more about the Department of Criminal Justice, visit owens.edu/business.
Owens Fall 2024 Enrollment Increases 5.6 Percent with Influx of New Students
Posted on September 10th, 2024
Strengthened by increases in new student enrollment, Owens Community College’s overall enrollment grew 5.6 percent for Fall Semester 2024. A total of 7,155 students were enrolled at Owens at the 14th day enrollment census headcount date. The Fall 2023 total was 6,778.
New students increased by more than 17 percent and totaled 1,669 compared to 1,419 for Fall 2023. New non-traditional learners increased by 43.3 percent (625 students compared to 436), while the population totals for new transfer students increased 7.4 percent (408 students compared to 380) and new direct from high school students increased 5.5 percent (636 students compared to 603).
New student growth follows the trend from the 2023-2024 academic year when new student enrollment increased 4.4 percent compared to the 2022-2023 academic year (2,172 students compared to 2,081 students).
“It’s exciting to see so many new students enrolling at Owens,” said Dr. Blake Renner, Owens vice president of enrollment management and student affairs. “The new student enrollment growth will help stabilize enrollment overall at Owens. New students will transition and become continuing students as they pursue their degrees or seek university transfer. This is what we want to see both for the college and for the students.”
Earlier this year, Renner completed a reorganization of the Student Affairs division to better assist new and continuing students. “We are better positioned to help our students reach their goals and are now aligned with best practices nationally in higher education,” Renner said. “We are structured to support students. We have created a consistent student experience from the point of initial interest all the way to graduation.”
An enrollment census occurs each semester on the 14th day after classes begin, which was Monday, August 19 for Fall 2024. Owens will continue to enroll students throughout the semester for classes that begin at different starting dates.
Owens Adjunct Instructor Receives Sonography Grant
Posted on September 3rd, 2024
Kelly Hartzell, an Owens Community College adjunct instructor in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, has been awarded a $250 grant from the Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Foundation.
Hartzell was nominated by Julie Posey, chair of the Owens Sonography Department, and recent Sonography graduate Halle Delos Reyes.
The applications for the grant were reviewed and anonymously scored by a panel of Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography Foundation Board of Directors. The grant recognizes outstanding instructors and promotes awareness of the need for clinical instructors.
The Society of Diagnostic Medical Sonography will recognize Hartzell and other grant recipients at their annual conference, in their Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography and on social media.
The Owens Department of Sonography has three Associate of Applied Science programs, Cardiac Sonography, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Technology and Vascular Sonography.
For more information about School of Nursing and Health Professionals program and degrees, go to owens.edu/snhp.
Owens Staff Members Participating in Leadership Programs
Posted on August 28th, 2024
Three Owens Community College staff members have been accepted into two recognized leadership programs.
Owens Community College staff members Marcos Gomez and Amanda Kiefer are among the participants in the newest cohort of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges Leadership Academy. Ashley Jackson has been accepted into the Leadership Toledo Signature Program cohort.
Amanda Kiefer
Ashley Jackson
Marcos Gomez
“We are excited to support Ashley, Amanda and Marcos in their leadership development,” said Leslie Erwin, Owens vice president of Human Resources. “We want to develop leaders at all levels in order to make Owens a stronger institution that continues to serve the needs of our students and the community.”
Now in its fifth cohort, the OACC Leadership Academy annually gathers faculty and staff for a year of training, exchanging ideas and immersion in promoting student success.
Kiefer is the assistant chair of Nursing, Clinical Operations, at Owens. She also recently served as the interim chair of the Nursing Department at Owens for a year.
Kiefer has experience working as a Registered Nurse at ProMedica Flower Hospital in Sylvania and Toledo Hospital. She spent more than five years as a Mental Health Professional at Flower Hospital as well.
She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toledo and a Bachelor of Registered Nursing from Bowling Green State University. She also received an Associate degree in Registered Nursing from Owens. Kiefer is currently working on her Master’s degree in Nursing Education, with an expected graduation date in December 2024.
Gomez is the director of Student Services at Owens, where he oversees Academic Advising, Student Financial Services and International Student Services. Before taking that position in April 2024, Gomez was the director of Student Financial Services, assistant director of Admissions and community advocate for Student Financial Services at Owens.
Gomez received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Toledo and his Juris Doctor from Western Michigan University.
The OACC created the academy in 2019 to reverse management turnover by strengthening internal advancement pipelines within the state’s 23 community colleges. Michigan, New York and Texas are among the states replicating Ohio’s initiative.
The goal of the Leadership Toledo program is transforming highly motivated individuals into leaders who help the Toledo area.
Jackson is the Owens manager of Recruitment in Admissions. Prior to arriving at Owens in December 2023, she worked at Saint Xavier University in Chicago, Lourdes University in Sylvania and Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri.
Jackson received her Bachelor of Science in Business from Urbana University and her Master of Arts in Leadership from Lindenwood University.
Perrysburg Rotary Awards Grant Helping Owens Students in Need
Posted on August 27th, 2024
A Fall 2023 survey concluded more than one-quarter of Owens Community College students ran out of money six or more times last year while nearly half of the students reported being food insecure.
Those stark numbers make the work of the college’s Center for Campus and Community Connections so vital to the success of our students.
In June, Owens received a $1,000 grant from the Perrysburg Rotary Club for the Center, with $250 allocated to the Harvest Food Pantry and Garden, $250 going to purchase laundry detergent and hygiene products and $500 going into the Emergency Fund.
“Every single one of those dollars is going directly into a resource for a student,” said Krista Kiessling, director of Campus and Community Connections. “If that’s a box of laundry detergent that is a student’s dealbreaker that week, we’re able to stabilize that family.
“We want to keep sending the message that if you’re struggling, we’re here, we care, and we want to help make sure you’re accessing everything you can to succeed at Owens.”
The food pantry, located in College Hall on the Toledo-area Campus and in Room 115DD in the Education Center on the Findlay-area Campus, opened in 2012 as the first pantry located at a college or university in Ohio. It provides free food resources and personal hygiene items to Owens students while classes are in session.
“Non-perishable food items are pretty easy for us to get our hands on, but cleaning supplies, hygiene items, laundry soap, that can be a little more difficult,” Kiessling said. “For us to have this money to reach out to a wholesale provider and purchase that for our students is tremendously helpful.”
Additionally, the Center operates a Career Closest and Free Store in College Hall. Students can acquire clothing items for interviews, job fairs or class presentations.
The Student Emergency Assistance Fund is housed in the Owens Foundation and gives students an opportunity to offset unforeseen expenses, such as vehicle repairs, rent increase or overdue utility bills. The application is online, and students can apply for up to $500 annually.
Kiessling said the Center will connect students with outside resources and social services as well.
“Our Center is kind of like the social service hub for campus,” Kiessling said. “We build relationships with the students so they know they can come forward before all heck breaks loose.”
The Center for Campus and Community Connections is located in College Hall 151. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. by appointment. The department’s resources are available to students on both Owens campus locations.
Owens Names Bill Taylor Dean for Business, Hospitality Management & Public Safety
Posted on August 22nd, 2024
Bringing many years of guiding programs in a wide variety of disciplines and fields, Bill Taylor has been hired as the new Owens Community College Dean for Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety.
Taylor started at Owens in February 2024.
“Bill brings more than 30 years of experience in academics and has had oversight of multiple areas in that time,” said Denise Smith, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs. “His depth and breadth of experience make him ideal to lead a school with a such a vast array of disciplines.”
Bill Taylor
Taylor came to Owens with a long, extensive career in higher education, most recently serving as the vice president of Academic Affairs and chief academic officer of Terra State Community College in Fremont.
Prior to his five years in that position, Taylor held a variety of positions at Terra State, including as dean for Business and Public Service Technologies and as a professor of Economics and Political Science.
While at Terra State, Taylor implemented a new Nursing curriculum in 2021, created the college’s Career Readiness course in 2020, led the creation of the Health Information Technology program in 2004, and fostered partnerships with other local academic institutions, including Heidelberg and Tiffin universities.
He has also been active with service projects and organizations. Taylor has served on various groups with the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. He founded the Terra State Community College Women’s Leadership Forum in 2014.
Taylor is also a member of the Sandusky County Chamber of Commerce and Great Lakes Clean Hydrogen Consortium.
Taylor received his Master of Education from Bowling Green State University and his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Ohio Wesleyan University.
In his current position with Owens, Taylor leads an eclectic group of departments, programs and certificates. The departments of Business Technologies, Criminal Justice, Emergency Service Technologies, Fire Science and Food, Nutrition and Hospitality are under his umbrella.
For more information on the School of Business, Hospitality Management and Public Safety, please visit owens.edu/business.
Owens Faculty and Staff Welcome Students for Fall Semester
Posted on August 21st, 2024
Baher Hanna is now in his 38th year teaching at Owens Community College.
Monday was the start of the fall semester at Owens Community College, and students weren’t the only ones excited and anxious to be back on campus.
For faculty and staff members at Owens, it’s been a long, quiet summer.
It was an especially exciting day for students and faculty in the Owens School of Nursing and Health Professions, which held its first classes in the new $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center where students are focused on learning interprofessional education and patient-centered care.
Owens employees took time out of their busy Monday to reflect on their experiences and how to best set up their students for success.
HEALTHCARE EDUCATION CENTER WELCOMES STUDENTS FOR FIRST TIME
There were plenty of firsts across the two Owens Community College campuses on Monday, including a brand-new facility for the School of Nursing and Health Professions.
Cathy Ford
Students and faculty in various programs, including Sonography, Dental Hygiene, Health Information Technology and Magnetic Resonance Imaging, held classes in the Healthcare Education Center. Cathy Ford dean for the School of Nursing and Health Professions, was just as excited to be in the new space as her students are.
“Students are amazed at these spaces,” Ford said. “I just came in from the front entry and students were having a conversation about how to get around the building and what they’ll see. … Students are really just lighting up.”
Ford has been the dean since 2015, but her history at Owens goes back many more years. She started as a student in Radiologic Technology in 1982. Aside from attending University of Toledo for her bachelor and master degrees, she’s been at Owens ever since.
The start of the new school year has always been a special date on her calendar.
“The first day of fall semester is just like New Years, it’s a fresh start,” Ford said. “It’s very exciting for me. It’s the beginning, it’s the onset of the entire academic year.”
“It’s their first time,” Ford said of the students. “Everything to us that seems so average and normal and day-to-day, for them can be very new and very different. … It’s always remembering that it’s new to students and they need our guidance and understanding to get a strong start.”
BRINGING LESSONS FROM THE PAST TO THE PRESENT
Baher Hanna remembers his days as an undergraduate student at the University of Cairo in Egypt, then as a graduate student in Cairo and University of Toledo. During the first days of classes as a math professor at Owens, he tries to be the type of teacher he needed as a student.
“I try to remember how I felt as a student and I try to look for what I preferred to see as a teacher or faculty member and mimic that,” Hanna said. “Of course, you learn as you go. You try to make it as smooth as possible.”
Hanna, who has been at Owens for 38 years, said one of his first priorities as a student was to know who was teaching the course, more so even than the subject matter that was being taught.
“I was always looking to who was teaching the course more than what I was learning,” Hanna said. “The way a professor or graduate student who was teaching the course presented themselves extended to how they presented the material.
“I would go through the textbook and say, ‘Yes, I think I can handle this.’ I just wanted to make sure me and the professor were on the same page.”
While Hanna will go out of his way to make sure his students are on the same page as him, he also said there is a level of responsibility the students must meet as well.
“It’s important to remind the student that this is serious business,” Hanna said. “I used to coach soccer for my kids’ teams. It’s the same thing – I know it’s fun, and math and science can be fun, but it won’t be fun until you take it seriously. It’s going to be fun, you’re going to learn stuff, but you have to meet your end of the bargain.”
STUDENTS AND SOME STAFF ARE IN THE SAME BOAT
While working a welcome table and walking the halls of Founders Hall on the Toledo-area Campus on Monday, Ann Sergent found herself in the same situation as many of the students.
Ann Sergent
The assistant dean for the School of Liberal Arts, Sergent has been on the job for five months. She admitted to still trying to figure out where everything is on campus.
“It’s important to let them know it’s OK if they don’t know,” Sergent said. “I was telling students, ‘This is my fifth month. I still don’t know where everything is, but I will do my best to help you.’
“It’s helpful for students to know that faculty and staff feel the same way. We’re all nervous, too, and some of us are still figuring things out because we’re still new.”
Her memories of the first day of her freshman year at Ohio Northern University included trying to hide the campus map for fear someone might judge the new kid. By the time she was a junior and had transferred to Bowling Green State University, she didn’t care anymore and proudly held the map right out in front of her.
Sergent saw the tail end of the spring semester after starting at Owens in early April, so for most of her five months on campus, there have been few students, faculty and staff. Having life come back to campus is exciting for Sergent.
“I love seeing the students back on campus, the faculty back on campus, the excitement of having everybody here,” Sergent said. “Even though I’ve been in education for years, there’s still a little nervousness, a little excitement. A little bit the same as the students.”
WELCOME TO OWENS
Bob Connour
Bob Connour has been with Owens for 25 years. The professor of science on the Findlay-area Campus said he always opens the first day of classes by welcoming his students to the Owens family.
“On that first day, you try to relieve any nerves and let them know we’re all here together,” Connour said. “We’re here for the students and to teach them, to help them get an education.”
As a faculty member in Findlay, Connour said the smaller size of the campus is an advantage. It’s easier for the students since everyone is in the same building.
Whether in Findlay or Toledo, though, it’s important for the students to know their success is the top priority.
“When dealing with new students, the most important thing is they need to know that we’re here for them,” Connour said. “They need to know that the people who work at Owens are on their side. We’re here for them to be successful. That’s what we say, ‘Your Success Starts Here.’”
WRAP-AROUND SERVICES SUPPORT THE STUDENTS
The support Owens students receive doesn’t end at the classroom. With the Center for Campus and Community Connection and other resources available, Owens goes above and beyond for student success.
Reti Shutina
On the first two days of classes, welcome tables were set around the Findlay-area and Toledo-area campuses to help answer student questions and point them in the right direction. It’s just another example of the pride Owens takes in wrap-around services for students, according to Reti Shutina, the interim chair for the Business department.
“Students feel supported, cared for and comfortable in their choice to attend Owens,” she said. “As they continue in their academic journey with us, they will feel the support of the faculty, academic and financial advisors, tutoring services, counseling services, career services and so much more.”
Shutina completed her bachelor degree in her native Albania. Even in a different country, the feelings of nerves and anticipation are universal. One of the best ways to ease those feelings is to ensure the students know they are welcomed and supported.
This marks Shutina’s 10-year anniversary at Owens. Through those years, she said the feeling of excitement with students returning to campus remains the same.
“This is a very exciting time for us to see students return to campus,” Shutina said. “We miss them. The summer is rather quiet, so we really look forward to having students back on campus. They bring in good vibes and make the campus come alive.”
Owens Terhune Gallery Exhibits Local, Award-Winning Artist
Posted on August 20th, 2024
The Walter E. Terhune Gallery will feature an exhibit by award-winning local artist Julia LaBay.
The Walter E. Terhune Art Gallery in the Owens Community College Center for Fine and Performing Arts is hosting a solo show by award-winning local artist Julia LaBay.
The exhibit open with a reception from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, August 22 and continues through October 18. Hours of the Walter E. Terhune Gallery are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday. The gallery is open by appointment only on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
LaBay is a 3D technical assistant and instructor in the University of Toledo Department of Art. She is also the Curator for the Blair Museum of Lithophanes. She was most recently awarded an Artist in Residency at Imagination Station during the summer of 2024.
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
Posted on August 12th, 2024
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
President Somerville Highlights College Successes, Presents Top Teaching Award
2024 Owens Community College State of the College Address
Dr. Dione D. Somerville began her fourth academic year as president on Monday, August 12 by sharing highlights of the Owens Community College strategic plan for faculty, staff and community guests, including Ohio Association of Community Colleges president and CEO Avi Zaffini.
She also recognized this year’s Presidential Teaching Award recipient, professor of English Cory Hoover, who leads the innovative Open Educational Resources (OER) program which has helped save students more than $2 million the past three academic years. She began teaching at Owens in Fall Semester 2000. A recipient of the TRIO Champion Award (2021), Hoover has been active at Owens, including helping launch the Center for Teaching and Innovation, developing numerous presentations, workshops and events and serving as a lead Honors Program advisor (2012-2021).
The address was held twice, at the Findlay-area Campus in the morning and again on the Toledo-area Campus in hybrid format in the afternoon.
Since taking over the Owens presidency in June 2021, Somerville has prioritized engaging community leaders. More than three dozen community leaders attended the two presentations.
Zaffini began his tenure leading the state’s 23 community colleges in mid-July. Speaking briefly at both presentations, he said Ohio community colleges continue to adapt and collaborate in varied partnerships to meet Ohio’s workforce needs.
Somerville focused her Owens address on the strategic plan adopted in 2023.
“Last year, in the first year of our plan, we worked to put a framework in place that would enable our success moving forward,” Somerville said. “We are kicking off our second year and looking forward to continued momentum.”
She utilized the plan’s six objectives to showcase what the academic year will feature, including:
Building a community of belonging
The year-long, college-wide Big Read program features author Sara Novic’s book, “True Biz”
Men’s soccer returns to Owens Express sports, led by former Express player and Owens alumni Nate Baer
Owens is positioned to provide relevant education and training as the only community college partner in the Northwest Ohio Innovation Consortium’s new $31.3 million Glass Centre of Excellence project
The Water Workforce Coalition, a collaborative effort with TMACOG and the City of Toledo, continues with a second cohort of students this semester
Jill of All Trades returns in October during National Manufacturing Month with a goal of tripling the exposure to the trades for young people in the community
Developing an agile framework
The president applauded the faculty’s engagement to an initial assessment workshop created as a follow up to the Higher Learning Commission’s mid-cycle review site visit last October
The first cohort of the new cardiac sonography associate degree is full in anticipation of meeting local labor demands
Trellis Strategies is studying the transportation challenges of college students as a follow up to the City of Toledo feasibility study
In Findlay and throughout Hancock County, Trellis Strategies is beginning a study focused on enrollment patterns and future enrollment opportunities for the Findlay-area Campus
Deepening employee engagement
The president’s leadership team welcomed new Human Resources vice president, Dr. Leslie Erwin over the summer. She will lead employee engagement opportunities.
Led by the Owens Foundation and a committee of alumni, the College’s inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame class was announced last spring.
Ensuring a sustainable organization
The president outlined the fiscal year 2025 budget and noted a few additional funding resources supplementing state capital funds, including the state’s community investment funding and grants
Phase 1 of the $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center will open for Fall Semester. After Phase 2 is completed next spring, a grand opening will be staged in March 2025.
Telling our story
More than a half-million people have attended Owens for credit since the College opened in 1965, according to college research
Since the 2013-14 school year, 37 percent of Owens students have transferred to and graduated from a four-year college or university
The College’s 60th anniversary will be celebrated during the 2025-26 academic year
Owens Culinary Arts Program Earns Top Review, Reaccredited for 7 Years
Posted on August 9th, 2024
Chef Amy Morford works with Culinary Arts student Sabrina Myers.
Culinary Arts program director Robert Wagner.
The Owens Community College Culinary Arts Program has received a seven-year Accreditation with an Exemplary identifier from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission.
The Culinary Arts Program has an associate degree plus two short-term certificates, including one in Baking and Pastry.
The Exemplary identifier symbolizes the highest education standards recognized by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation Accrediting Commission. Owens is one of eight accredited Culinary Arts Programs in Ohio, and one of only three to receive the Exemplary identifier. This program is also the only accredited Culinary Arts Program within a 75-mile radius in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.
The Culinary Arts Program is led by Robert Wagner, program director. Chef Amy Morford is an assistant professor.
“We are grateful to the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation accrediting commission for affirming the work our dedicated faculty and staff are doing preparing students to succeed as professionals,” said Denise Smith, vice president of Academic Affairs and Provost. “I want to especially congratulate Bob, Amy, Steve Williams and all the Culinary Arts faculty and staff for their tireless work on the accreditation renewal.”
Smith also credited Nathan Lute, the culinary operations and labs manager, for his work during the Accreditation tour.
According to Wagner, Chef Amy creates an engaging and challenging environment in the classroom, replicating industry scenarios. She challenges her students’ skills to work at a fast pace while multitasking, both routine conditions in culinary work.
Students are assigned up to three different baked items and at least one accompaniment on most days. Chef Amy helps with troubleshooting, correcting recipes and improving time management and critical thinking.
“Chef Amy maintains a student-centric approach to teaching,” Wagner said. “She’s a vital part to the success of the Food Nutrition & Hospitality Department as a whole.
“In the beginning, these high standards seem daunting; however, students appreciate the level of difficulty that motivated their learning and retention of the techniques presented,” he said.
Students in the Culinary Arts program complete management, nutrition and menu design courses and fundamental, intermediate and advanced culinary skills. Students receive hands-on experience during the co-operative work experience and the student-run restaurant, the Terrace View Cafe.
Upon graduation, students are eligible to receive the Certified Culinarian credential from the American Culinary Federation. Graduates find job opportunities as Chefs and Sous Chefs, Supervisors of Food Preparation Workers, Food Service Managers, Chefs in Healthcare Facilities and as Private Chefs.
Outside of the classroom, Chef Amy is the Program Coordinator with an open-door policy for her students. She also reestablished the Culinary Arts Association student group.
“Chef Amy’s commitment to Owens and our department, and most importantly our students reflect our dedication to provide students with the highest levels of training and preparation, allowing them to be successful professionals in all areas of the food service and hospitality industry,” Wagner said.
For more information about the Culinary Arts program and degrees, go to owens.edu/business.
Owens Expands Partnership With Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio to Better Serve Workforce Needs
Posted on August 6th, 2024
Owens Community College and Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio are partnering to provide enhanced training options for people seeking to improve their workforce training opportunities.
Through a new customized website, individuals working with Goodwill will have access to learning experiences at Owens that connect directly to job success. The training courses are possible thanks to both organizations’ premium partner status with ed2go, a national network of online courses taught by experts from a variety of fields.
Expert navigators at Goodwill will work directly with community members to find learning experiences tailored to their individual goals. Courses range from employability through customer service, conversational Spanish, business writing and leadership skills, to specific occupational preparation like interior designer, sign language interpreter and maintenance technician. More new courses are added regularly.
All courses are available entirely online, self-paced and available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to meet the needs of busy adults juggling family and job responsibilities. As Goodwill navigators and individuals arrive at specific educational goals, Owens will enroll them and support their journey to completion.
“Owens Community College is excited to work with Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio and expand access to education that benefits the local workforce and area employers,” said Charlene Page, executive director of Workforce and Economic Development at Owens. “The need for a highly-skilled workforce is clear to everyone. We are always looking to improve higher education access for adult learners and help them acquire the skills they need.”
Owens and Goodwill have a history of collaborating with a focus on workforce development.
“The opportunity to lift up members of our community by working closely with Owens is a natural fit for Goodwill’s Job Connection Centers, where we believe in the power of work,” said David Takats, chief mission officer at Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio. “Working helps eliminate barriers and provides opportunities to improve peoples’ lives.”
What: With Fall Semester 2024 classes beginning Monday, August 19, Owens Community College is offering an expanded-hours One Day Registration. The event includes admissions application assistance, academic and financial services advising, placement testing, orientation and registration for classes.
$1,500 Scholarship Details: For degree-seeking students only. Participants must attend One Day Registration and register for Fall Semester 2024 classes at One Day Registration to be eligible to win. All details are posted on the event website.
Owens Begins Utilizing VR Technology for Law Enforcement Training
Posted on July 18th, 2024
Instructor Dennis Cole demonstrates VR technology
VR Goggles
Law enforcement officers training at Owens Community College’s Center for Emergency Preparedness will benefit from new virtual reality (VR) goggles provided by the Ohio Attorney General’s office.
The Meta Quest 3 VR goggle headsets are the latest technology upgrade in scenario-based training for Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy (OPOTA) cadets and current officers seeking continuing education.
The training is accompanied by six videos filmed with 360-degree cameras, enabling the cadets and officers to feel like they are part of the action. The scenario-based videos cover mental health, domestic violence, school violence, the teen brain, suicide prevention and irate families. They last 8-12 minutes each and serve as standalone topics.
“Training helps officers better understand and respond to situations as they occur and the new VR goggles will only enhance decision-making and problem-solving,” said Mark King, manager of OPOTA training at Owens. “Training is vital for officer success. Officers continue to train throughout their careers to ensure their safety, their partner’s safety and the safety of the community they serve.”
Owens’ instructors spent two days learning how to utilize the VR goggles.
OPOTA was founded at Owens in 1970 in cooperation with the Ohio Peace Officers Training Commission (OPOTC) and certified by the Ohio Attorney General’s office. In 2022, Owens was named a Close to Home regional advanced training site for current law enforcement professionals. More than 80 agencies in northwest Ohio also form the Law Enforcement Consortium and utilize 600 continuing education training hours annually.
The VR goggles will provide a low-cost, standardized training foundation for all officers in Ohio, according to the Attorney General’s office.
The training videos were produced by Ohio State University and Ohio University in cooperation with the Athens Police Department and Athens County Sheriff’s Office. The Attorney General’s office is already producing more scenario videos, tentatively scheduled for completion in summer 2025.
“Our cadets pass their state certification at nearly 100 percent right now,” King said. “This new technology will only enhance their training and further prepare them for when they are on the job.”
Owens Wins Lumina Foundation’s Instagram Challenge, $50,000 Award
Posted on July 17th, 2024
Owens Community College has been selected as one of seven winners in Lumina Foundation’s mini-grant opportunity and first Instagram challenge, resulting in a $50,000 award to enhance digital outreach and marketing efforts.
Lumina Foundation received more than 100 entries from public, accredited two-year institutions nationwide.
Joining Owens as winners were:
Ohlone College, CA
Ocean County College, NJ
Community College of Beaver County, PA
State University of New York (SUNY) Niagara, NY
Chaffey College, CA
Jefferson State Community College, AL
The Owens’ Instagram reel was created and produced by the college’s Strategic Marketing and Communications office. Watch it here.
“We are thankful to Lumina Foundation for recognizing the quality and engaging work our office does on social media interacting with our students,” said Tasha Hussain Black, Owens vice president of strategic initiatives, marketing and communications. “Our goal is to increase access to high-quality educational opportunities for the nearly 190,000 people aged 25 or older living in key parts of the City of Toledo who have attained a high school diploma or some college but who do not have a college degree. The $50,000 will help us connect with this market.”
Through the grant, Lumina wants community colleges to share stories and highlight the diverse and profound impact of a community college education.
“For the past two years, Lumina has engaged in a national conversation about understanding and strengthening community college brands,” said Mary Laphen Pope, Lumina’s strategy officer for participation. “While discussions often focus on challenges such as enrollment declines, success stories about community colleges and their students are rarely highlighted. We aim to change that.
“We were excited to offer this mini-grant opportunity and are so impressed by all the outstanding video reels we received. We hope this initiative will help shift the narrative around community colleges and all that they offer,” added Laphen Pope.
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 Contact
Andy Woodard
Assistant Director, Strategic Marketing and Communications andrew_woodard@owens.edu
About Lumina Foundation
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. We envision higher learning that is easy to navigate, addresses racial injustice, and meets the nation’s talent needs through a broad range of credentials. We are working toward a system that prepares people for informed citizenship and success in a global economy.
Owens Findlay-area Campus Dean Among 2024 Ohio Leadership Academy Graduates
Posted on July 15th, 2024
Dean Brad Wood
Owens Community College Findlay-area Campus Dean Brad Wood was among the 35 graduates in the most recent Ohio Leadership Academy for Student Success class.
The academy, sponsored by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, annually gathers faculty and staff for a year of training, exchanging ideas and immersion in promoting student success.
The OACC created the academy in 2019 to reverse management turnover by strengthening internal advancement pipelines within the state’s 23 community colleges. Michigan, New York and Texas are among the states replicating Ohio’s initiative.
“The past year has provided a meaningful and positive professional development experience with colleagues from around the state,” Wood said. “We shared practical experiences that can be adapted to our daily work. We all want our students to succeed and achieve their higher education goals.”
Wood was named to his current position in January 2023 after previously serving as chair of the Owens Physical Therapist Assistant (PTA) program in the School of Nursing and Health Professions, where he worked for seven years.
A community college graduate, Wood earned his associate degree in PTA from St. Petersburg College. He graduated from Nova Southeastern University with his bachelor’s in Health Science and master’s in Teaching and Learning. He serves on the State of Ohio Physical Therapy Association advisory board. He is a national commissioner for CAPTE Commission of Accreditation for Physical Therapy Education and president of the Northwest Ohio Clinical Coordinator Consortium.
Wood is the seventh Owens employee to complete the academy cohort since 2020-21.
The academy is an outreach of work done by the OACC’s Success Center for Community Colleges. Created in 2012, the center focuses on helping Ohio’s two-year colleges marshal resources to better direct students’ education by aligning their academic choices with the careers they hope to undertake. The academy was funded by several national organizations, ensuring that colleges had minimal expenses to participate.
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.
Win Owens Scholarship Worth up to $1,500 by Attending July 15 Registration Event
Posted on July 12th, 2024
Event: Owens Community College One Day Registration
What: One Day Registration offers admissions application assistance, academic and financial services advising, placement testing, orientation and registration for classes. Fall Semester 2024 classes begin Monday, August 19.
Scholarship Details: For degree-seeking students only. Participants must attend One Day Registration and register for Fall Semester 2024 classes at One Day Registration to win.
Owens Key Partner in $31.3 Million Glass Innovation Hub
Posted on July 11th, 2024
Owens Community College is positioned to provide relevant education and training as the only community college partner in the new $31.3 million Northwest Ohio Glass Innovation Hub project focused on enhancing the region as a global leader in glass science, engineering, technology and production.
Funded by the State of Ohio and announced by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, the consortium aligns with Owens’ mission of working with regional employers and serving their talent development needs.
“We look forward to working with regional industry leaders, local universities, economic development leaders, startup companies and all levels of the regional workforce to help reaffirm the region’s status as the Glass Capital through short-term training, associate degrees and transfer,” Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville said.
Owens features a successful history of partnering with business and industry to close the skills gap and produce job-ready talent, especially production workers in the advanced manufacturing sector. By being nimble and agile in the workforce space, Owens will support the consortium’s goal of developing a qualified workforce pool at all industry levels, including production associates and STEM professionals.
Owens drives efficiency, production and the bottom line in customized training working with more than 100 regional businesses. Many of these strategic partnerships occur with small to medium advanced manufacturing companies. Owens faculty provide training either at the company location or on campus, which includes modern facilities such as the Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center.
The Owens School of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) offers 24 associate degrees and 31 certificates; three degrees and three certificates are focused on advanced manufacturing.
At its inception many years ago, Owens began working with the consortium and continues to provide leadership with Dr. Denise Smith, Owens Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, serving on the consortium’s board of directors. Owens also has representation on the workforce and education sub-committees.
The consortium is beginning work on its initiatives, which are expected to create 1,600 jobs and a $284 million economic impact over the next seven years.
Besides Owens, the consortium partners include:
Associated General Contractors of Northwest Ohio
Bowling Green State University
Cherry Street Mission Ministries
City of Toledo
ConnecToledo
Dana Inc.
First Solar
JumpStart Inc.
Local 500 of Toledo
Libbey
Local Initiatives Support Corporation Toledo
Lucas County, Ohio
Owens Corning
O-I Glass, Inc.
Pilkington
Regional Growth Partnership
Toledo Public Schools
Toledo Region Chamber of Commerce
Wood County, Ohio
University of Toledo
Owens Police Chief Named to National Board
Posted on July 1st, 2024
Chief Harrison
Owens Community College’s Steven Harrison was appointed to the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA) Board of Directors as a Director-at-Large for a one-year term at the organization’s annual conference in New Orleans last week.
The Owens Police Chief and Director of Public Safety since 2019, Harrison has been active with the largest professional association devoted to excellence in campus public safety and law enforcement. He previously served as co-chair for the IACLEA 2-year institutions committee and on the membership committee.
IACLEA members are police chiefs, public safety directors, law enforcement officers and security personnel at higher education institutions responsible for protecting millions of students worldwide.
“IACLEA membership has been invaluable to me, as I transitioned from municipal law enforcement to campus law enforcement and public safety,” he said.
Before his appointment at Owens, Harrison worked for the Northwood Police Department for nine years and then the Toledo Police Department for 17 years. While at TPD, his assignments included field operations, vice-narcotics, internal affairs and investigations. After retiring in 2018 as a Sergeant in the Crimes Against Persons division, he accepted a position for one year with the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, as Chief of Police at Northwest Ohio Psychiatric Hospital Police Department.
A 1991 graduate of the Owens Police Academy, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Tiffin University and master’s degree from Boston University. An adjunct instructor at the Owens Police Academy and Toledo Police Academy, Harrison is a Certified Master Trainer with the Homeland Security Department’s National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Office.
Harrison served six years in the U.S. Marine Corps. before beginning his law enforcement career.
Owens Awarded NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant to Assist with Formation of Men’s Soccer Program
Posted on June 21st, 2024
Owens Community College is continuing to grow the Owens Express athletic program by reintroducing men’s soccer for the 2024 season with the assistance of the NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant. Through the NJCAA Foundation, Owens will receive a $2,000 grant.
Owens originally fielded a men’s soccer team from 1998-2015.
“Through the NJCAA Sport Opportunity Grant, the NJCAA Foundation is creating opportunities for member colleges to expand and develop sports offerings,” said Brian Luckett, NJCAA Foundation executive director. “Athletics at the two-year level continue to grow and progress, resulting in student-athletes being afforded more significant development opportunities athletically and academically.”
During its previous seasons, the Owens Express men’s soccer team advanced to the NJCAA Region 12 tournament 14 times, winning the 2005 championship. The Express won its first conference championship in 2012.
Nate Baer, an Owens Express player in the 2006 and 2007 seasons, has been hired as the Express men’s soccer head coach. Baer was a highly successful high school and club coach. He received recognition for his coaching achievements, including the 2019 National Federal of State High Schools Coach of the Year honor, considered the highest award for a high school coach.
“We are grateful that we are receiving the Sport Opportunity Grant from the NJCAA Foundation,” Owens athletic director Shelley Whitaker said. “We are excited that men’s soccer returns to Owens this fall. Coach Baer has done an excellent job with recruiting. We cannot wait for the first home game.”
“We look forward to competing on the field while creating a pathway for additional opportunities at 4-year institutions,” Baer said. “I’m excited to restore the Owens Express men’s soccer tradition.”
For more information on Owens Community College athletics, visit owensexpress.com.
About NJCAA Foundation
The mission of the NJCAA Foundation is to enhance the NJCAA national organization, student-athletes, member colleges and local communities through financial support, scholarships, program initiatives and community service.
About OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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 Names Erwin to Lead Human Resources
Posted on June 12th, 2024
With a background and experience well-suited for the role, Leslie Erwin, Ed.D., has been hired as Owens Community College’s vice president of Human Resources. She will join the Executive Leadership Team reporting to Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville.
Leslie Erwin
Erwin has served in key roles in higher education for more than 15 years including human resources, compliance, Title IX, diversity, equity and inclusion, student affairs and academic programming and accreditation. Her 10 years of human resources experience spans private industry, union environments and, most recently, education. She also has nine years of senior leadership experience.
Dr. Erwin comes to Owens from Heidelberg University, where she served as chief human resource officer since August 2021. She previously held multiple roles over 12 years at Mercy College of Ohio, finishing her tenure as director of compliance and risk management as well as Title IX coordinator. Dr. Erwin also has held management roles at Chrysler and DaimlerChrysler.
“Human resources and higher education are two of Dr. Erwin’s greatest passions,” Dr. Somerville said. “She is the right leader to guide our strategic objective of deepening employee engagement. Dr. Erwin understands that people are Owens’ most critical asset and that is integral to us achieving our vision and the objectives of our strategic plan.”
Dr. Erwin attained her doctorate of education in higher education administration in 2022 from Northcentral University, taking a one-year break from these studies to earn a graduate certificate in higher education compliance in 2018 from the University of Toledo College of Law. Her qualitative research focused on Title IX policy implementation, specifically with the faculty experience. She also holds a master of arts in organizational management from Spring Arbor University and a bachelor of science degree in psychology with a minor in sociology from Ohio State University.
She currently serves on the Board for the Association of College and University Policy Administrators (ACUPA). Her professional interests include civil rights and equity, policy administration, compliance, labor relations and employee engagement and retention.
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Posted on June 11th, 2024
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
Owens Healthcare Programs Award 51 Certifications
A total of 51 students in the School of Nursing and Health Professions completed their short-term certifications and received recognition at an on-campus ceremony.
“We are so proud of these students for their hard work and commitment to their education,” said Cathy Ford, dean of the School of Nursing and Health Professions. “They are now ready to begin their new professions.”
Each healthcare program named outstanding students:
Certified Personal Trainer: Cortasha Richardson, Luckey
Dental Assisting: Megan Wise, Monroeville
Medical Assisting: Jose Zanzon Jr., Rossford
Medical Coding: Kristen Endicott, Wayne
Sterile Processing: Elle Howell, Rossford and Claire Ulrich, Toledo
The School of Nursing and Health Professions will move to the new $31.3 million Healthcare Education Center in the 2024-25 academic year. The new facility will partially open for Fall 2024 and will be completed for the start of Spring 2025.
For more information about School of Nursing and Health Professions degrees and certifications, visit www.owens.edu/snhp.
50 Owens ASPIRE Students to Graduate
Posted on May 30th, 2024
A total of 50 students from the Owens ASPIREprogram will graduate at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 30 in a ceremony at Veterans Hall 201. The students will receive their high school equivalency (HSE) certification.
“We are so proud of this year’s students and their dedication to earn a high school equivalency certification,” said Heath Huber, Owens ASPIRE director. “Data informs us that these individuals will now have the opportunity for increased earning potential and advanced employment as well as access for additional educational attainment.”
The ceremony will feature a keynote address from Derayna Webb, wellness coordinator from Mom’s House Toledo. Millicent Carrick, Tivon Pressley and Valencia Rios-Duren, all of Toledo, also will share their stories with fellow graduates.
Owens Offers New Cardiac Sonography Program to Meet Workforce Demands
Posted on May 6th, 2024
With healthcare careers continuing to specialize, Owens Community College has received approval to begin a cardiac sonography associate degree program to meet workforce demands. Applications for the first cohort of 10 students will be accepted through May 15 with classes starting June 10.
Cardiac sonography is a diagnostic procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves (ultrasound) to produce dynamic visual images of the heart, according to Julie Posey, program director. A sonographer’s scope of practice includes operating imaging equipment, identifying normal and abnormal imaging results, preparing patients for procedures and reviewing patient medical history, she added.
“We know from working with the local hospitals, there is an immediate need for cardiac sonographers,” Posey said. “We are excited to add cardiac sonography to our department that also includes diagnostic medical sonography and vascular sonography.”
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, entry-level graduates working full time can expect to earn a minimum of $63,000. The job outlook through 2032 will increase 10 percent, which is faster than average.
Sonography classes will move to the new $31.3 million healthcare education center on the east side of campus beginning Fall Semester 2024. The center will feature improved lab space and modern equipment for all healthcare students.
Owens Early Learning Center Receives $10,000 Grant from Handbags That Help Women’s Giving Circle
Posted on April 29th, 2024
Accepting the grant for Owens Community College were (from left) Early Learning Center Manager Liz Kutschbach, Development Officer Danielle Davis, Institutional Advancement Vice President and Foundation Executive Director Kelle Pack, Business Operations Director David Wahr, Early Learning Center Toddler Teacher Cheryl Busdeker and President Dr. Dione D. Somerville
The 5-Star quality-rated Owens Community College Early Learning Center will feature new equipment benefiting the children it serves thanks to a $10,000 Handbags that Help Women’s Giving Circle grant from the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.
The grant, presented to Owens Community College and three other organizations at a ceremony at Findlay Country Club, will lead a multi-year effort to upgrade the center’s play facilities, funding the purchase of an indoor climber and outdoor activity set.
The Owens Community College Foundation facilitated the grant application.
“We are forever grateful to the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation for this generous gift that will benefit so many developing, young children in the community,” said Kelle Pack, Owens Community College Foundation executive director and vice president for institutional advancement.
“The project was selected because of its impact on building strong families in the community,” Pack added. “The Handbags that Help Women’s Giving Circle award referenced the Early Learning Center’s innovative programming and developmentally appropriate curriculums as well as the opportunity for professional developmental and career opportunities for students from Owens and the University of Findlay working at the center. These young people serve as role models and advocates for quality early childhood education.”
Located at 3200 Bright Road on the Owens Findlay-area Campus, the Early Learning Center opened in 2006 as a service to families in Findlay and the surrounding community, offering year-round education for toddlers through children age 5 as well as a summer program for school-age children to up age 11.
Step Up to Quality recognizes early care and education programs that exceed quality benchmarks over and above Ohio’s licensing standards. The Owens Early Learning Center is the only Ohio Department of Job and Family Services 5-Star quality rated child care center or early learning center in Hancock County based on criteria including the teacher-to-children ratio per classroom, teacher training, the enrolled child’s early education experience and the enrolled child’s focus on continuous improvement.
Hosted by the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation, Handbags That Help is a women’s giving circle dedicated to building strong families and increasing philanthropy in Hancock County. The organization collectively funds significant grants to charitable projects and programs in the community. The giving circle has awarded $726,322 since it began in 2008.
About the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation
The Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation’s mission is to improve the quality of life for all in the community. Established in 1992 as the result of an estate gift from L. Dale Dorney, The Community Foundation has granted more than $85 million to fund projects to support our community. Visit community-foundation.com or call (419) 425-1100 to learn more about how the Foundation is making a lasting community impact.
About OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
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 Dental Hygiene Instructor Buchanan Receives National Faculty Award
Posted on April 24th, 2024
Nicole Buchanan
Owens Community College Dental Hygiene Instructor Nicole Buchanan has been recognized by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) as a 2024 Dale P. Parnell Distinguished Faculty recipient.
Awarded to select faculty who make a difference in community college classrooms across the country, this highly competitive national designation honors faculty active in their students’ lives and in their colleges’ activities to ensure student success.
A total of 36 faculty received the national honor named for former AACC President and CEO Dale P. Parnell. Buchanan is the fourth Owens faculty member to receive the AACC accolade, joining Sara Burke, Jen Hazel and Sarah Long.
A 2013 Owens graduate from the dental hygiene program, Buchanan was hired as an Owens adjunct faculty member in 2014 and progressed to dental assisting coordinator 2018. She was hired as a full-time instructor in dental assisting 2021 before moving to her current position this academic year.
“Professor Buchanan has shown herself to be an outstanding faculty member who believes deeply in service to her students,” Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville said. “Her passion embodies several values that drive our work each day including being transformational, empowering and intentional.
“Professor Buchanan recognizes that challenges to learning differ for each student and tailors her instruction accordingly,” she added. “Specifically, she takes steps to understand her students’ individual needs and implements a strategy that places students in the strongest position to succeed. By starting with concern and proactive support, she witnessed student engagement and overall performance levels rise.”
“I love teaching at the college that gave me my career,” Buchanan said. “I love working with students and find it deeply rewarding. I am lucky to be doing what I am passionate about.”
Besides her position at Owens, the Elmore resident works for dental practices in Perrysburg and Toledo. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University (2014) and master’s in public health from the Northwest Ohio Consortium for Public Health (2018).
Owens Inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame Class Featured at Creative Expressions Arts Fundraising Event
Posted on April 4th, 2024
The community is invited to join Owens Community College alumni, faculty and staff for a special evening celebrating 20 years of the arts as well as the College’s inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame class at 5:30 p.m. Saturday, April 20 at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
Creative Expressions, the annual arts fundraiser, supports the endowed Artistic Award Funds for students pursuing a career in the Fine and Performing Arts. The 2023-2024 academic year marks 20 years since the Center for Fine and Performing Arts opened in August 2003 for the 2003-2004 academic year.
Sponsored by the Owens Community College Foundation, the Alumni Hall of Fame awards will be presented to outstanding Owens alumni who have excelled personally and professionally, making a continued and significant difference in their community on a local, state, national or international level. The Alumni Hall of Fame class includes:
David W. Seeger, Ed.D., a 1980 marketing and sales graduate who was the president and CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union, Inc. for 27 years. He is an adjunct faculty member at Owens.
Melanie L. Dunn, a 2011 commercial art graduate who works at Madhouse, one of the leading advertising agencies in Toledo. She also owns her own freelance design agency, Cuttlefish Graphics.
Glenn E. Houck Jr., a 2004 radiography graduate who is the director of radiology clinical operations at Michigan Health. He is a U.S. Army veteran.
Lesa M. Swimmer, a 1996 associate of arts graduate who started on campus as a student worker and tutor and 30 years later remains at Owens as a highly-respected instructor teaching math, biology, chemistry and physical sciences.
Sarah R. Heldmann, a 2014 occupational therapy assistant graduate who works at Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities while serving in local, state and national leadership positions related to her work as an occupational therapy assistant.
Complete bios of the inaugural Alumni Hall of Fame class are available at owens.edu/alumni/awards.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., the semi-formal event includes dinner and artwork auction as well as the Alumni Hall of Fame presentation before concluding with the student theatre production of “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.”
Renowned artist Ray King of Philadelphia, who created and installed the “Owens Rings” sculpture hanging in the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Rotunda for the August 2003 opening, is scheduled to attend.
Tickets, priced at $150 per couple and $100 for an individual ticket, include a commemorative gift, an individualized, handcrafted art piece of glass from the Toledo Museum of Art inspired by the “Owens Rings.”
Owens Names Page New Workforce and Economic Development Leader
Posted on April 2nd, 2024
Charlene Page
An executive leader with nearly two decades of experience in economic and business development, Charlene Page has been hired as Executive Director, Workforce and Economic Development at Owens Community College, pending board approval. Page will serve on the Executive Leadership Team and report to Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville.
Page joined Owens in November 2023 as the Senior Advisor to the President for Workforce and Economic Development Partnerships. In this role she worked closely with the Workforce department as well as community partners to increase engagement opportunities.
“Charlene has a proven track record with nearly two decades of experience in economic development,” Somerville said. “She believes in collaboration and the power of partnerships to improve the lives of members in our community through education and career opportunities. Charlene’s experiences as a strategic leader make her a valuable addition to the Executive Leadership Team, Owens and the region as a whole.”
Prior to her role at Owens, Page held the position of Regional Talent Manager for JobsOhio and the Regional Growth Partnership, where she developed employee recruitment and training plans to support regional economic development projects.
She also worked as an International Business Development Representative for Oakland County, Michigan specializing in assisting multinational companies grow their operations in the U.S. She brings extensive experience in sales and organizational development to her role here at Owens.
Page earned a bachelor’s degree in Management and Organizational Development from Spring Arbor University and holds certifications as an Economic Development Finance Professional and Certified Global Business Professional. She also currently serves on the Owens Community College Foundation Board.
Owens Community College School of Business Job Fair
Posted on March 21st, 2024
The School of Business is hosting a job fair. Students will have the opportunity to connect with local employers for full-time jobs or to change careers to align with their major. Students who are undecided or looking to gain professional experience through part-time work or an internship are also welcome to attend.
Owens Community College Partners with UToledo, TPS for Educational Opportunities Benefiting City of Toledo Residents
Posted on February 27th, 2024
Leaders from Owens Community College, the University of Toledo and Toledo Public Schools signed a letter of intent Tuesday opening doors for educational opportunities for City of Toledo residents at Scott Park.
In front of a large crowd at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts, Owens announced the results of the year-long feasibility study assessing the need for a physical Owens presence in the City of Toledo.
Conducted by Trellis Strategies, the study summarized these findings:
A need for a physical presence in the City of Toledo
Increased partnerships are necessary to prepare tomorrow’s workforce
Large education attainment gaps exist in the City of Toledo
“Our goal is to increase access to high-quality educational opportunities in the City of Toledo that benefit the northwest Ohio region,” Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville said. “With partners at Scott Park, we can build a foundation to address the needs for today’s students and workforce development.”
Bryan Ashton of Trellis Strategies presented the feasibility study research summary, which identified nearly 190,000 people aged 25 or older in key parts of the City of Toledo with only a high school degree or some college. Nearly 75 percent of the City of Toledo’s residents who are high school graduates did not enroll in college at graduation. Today that translates to more than half of the City of Toledo’s residents age 25-plus, or 55 percent, being college-ready.
“The University of Toledo is proud to strengthen our long-standing partnerships with Owens Community College and Toledo Public Schools in our shared commitment to ensuring all members of our community have an opportunity to achieve their educational and career goals,” said UToledo President Gregory Postel. “By working together, we can help close the educational attainment gap in Toledo to celebrate both individual successes of earning a college degree and also the community benefit of strengthening the workforce and economic prosperity of our region.”
“This new initiative with Owens Community College and the University of Toledo allows TPS to continue providing new and exciting educational opportunities for our students,” said Dr. Romules Durant, CEO/Superintendent of Toledo Public Schools. “We are excited that the future of the Scott Park Campus includes not only TPS students but adult learners who are ready to expand their education as they plan for their future.”
With the completed letter of intent signing, the educational leaders will now collaborate on what programming will be offered at Scott Park as well as a start date. No timeline has been established.
Kristi Clouse, JobsOhio, Senior Managing Director, Talent and Rosalyn Clemens, City of Toledo, Housing and Community Development Director also participated in the announcement. JobsOhio shared with Trellis Strategies its research related to workforce development for the advanced manufacturing sector in northwest Ohio. The City of Toledo provided financial support for the study.
Trellis Strategies is a non-profit, Texas-based higher education research firm with expertise in program evaluation and workforce outcomes, and identifying transportation barriers and enrollment deserts.
“We are thankful for the support and partnerships we have with the University of Toledo, Toledo Public Schools, the City of Toledo, JobsOhio and Trellis Strategies,” Somerville said. “We look forward to fulfilling our mission and providing quality higher education access at Scott Park.”
Details about the feasibility study and the Scott Park location will be added to www.owens.edu/feasibility/.
Owens Community College Invests $31.3 Million to Meet Region’s Growing Healthcare Needs
Posted on November 16th, 2023
healthcare education center
healthcare education center
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
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.
UToledo, Owens Renew Rocket Express Admission Program
Posted on October 18th, 2022
The University of Toledo and Owens Community College renewed a partnership that creates a seamless pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree from UToledo after starting at Owens.
The admission pathway program, called Rocket Express, was first launched in 2017.
Owens President Dr. Dione D. Somerville and UToledo President Dr. Gregory Postel renewed the Rocket Express program during a signing ceremony Wednesday, October 19 in the Student Service Center in College Hall at Owens Community College. Owens Provost Dr. Denise Smith and UToledo Provost Dr. Risa Dickson also participated in the ceremony.
“We are pleased to continue our Rocket Express partnership with the University of Toledo. Our Rocket Express agreement provides a pathway to an additional opportunity in higher education so that our students reach their academic and career goals efficiently. The Rocket Express helps provide support for our students who intend to transfer while saving them time and money. We are grateful to the University of Toledo for partnering with Owens in a way that is meaningful to our students and our region,” Somerville said.
“The strong partnership between UToledo and Owens and our shared commitment to student success provide a great opportunity for individuals in our community to achieve their dream of earning a college degree with increased support from both institutions through our updated Rocket Express program,” Postel said.
A total of 1,600 Owens students are enrolled in the Rocket Express program for Fall 2022 to begin the 2022-23 academic year. Over the first five academic years of the partnership, from 2017-18 through 2021-22, Owens averaged 1,750 students enrolled annually in the Rocket Express partnership. During this time, more than 6,500 students who previously attended Owens then enrolled at UToledo.
Students begin their college journey at Owens and can join the updated Rocket Express program immediately by indicating they intend to transfer to UToledo. Rocket Express students benefit from access to academic advisors at both Owens and UToledo and receive ongoing communication from UToledo as they advance through their academic studies. Program participants also have opportunities to participate in student life activities at both Owens and UToledo, such as clubs, organizations and Express and Rocket athletics games.
As part of the program, students have access to UToledo’s degree audit system to keep track of how their Owens classes will apply to their future UToledo degree program, which is a helpful tool especially if they are considering changing their program of study.
Rocket Express students also do not pay the UToledo application fee when they are ready to transfer.
UToledo and Owens announced the updated Rocket Express admission pathway program during National Student Transfer Week that celebrates transfer students and the professionals who support them.
More information on Rocket Express is available on the Owens website at owens.edu/rocketexpress.
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.”
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.
President Somerville Highlights College Achievements, Presents Top Teaching Award
Posted on August 22nd, 2022
Owens Community College State of the College Address
Dr. Dione D. Somerville began her second academic year as president on Monday, August 22 by highlighting Owens Community College’s achievements to faculty, staff and community guests, including Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner.
She also recognized this year’s Presidential Teaching Award recipient, nursing professor Julie Lohse, who also received the 2021 top teaching award in the college’s School of Nursing and Health Professions. Lohse is entering her 24th academic year teaching as Owens, having begun her career in Fall 1998. Other award finalists were Julie Chesser, professor, math; Cory Hoover, professor, English; and Kristin Price, professor, social and behavioral sciences.
Dr. Somerville highlighted enrollment, budget matters and partnerships, among other initiatives, as she spoke on the Findlay-area Campus in the morning and again on the Toledo-area Campus in the afternoon.
“My vision for Owens is our vision for Owens,” she said, referring to the college’s vision statement of being the area’s premier two-year college, a first choice for students seeking higher education and an indispensable partner for businesses, educational institutions and community organizations.
She shared about the implementation of the new Strategic Enrollment Management Plan and its importance considering the projected decline of high school graduates over the next decade. She said the balanced budget, adopted by the Board of Trustees, was built on areas of need with consideration for strategic initiatives, including the new Workday ERP software that will service the entire college.
Since taking over the Owens presidency in June 2021, Dr. Somerville has made it a priority to engage community leaders. More than two dozen community leaders attended Monday’s State of the College presentations.
Looking forward, she spoke about capital renovations and centralizing the college’s nursing and health profession programs on the east side of Oregon Road on the Toledo-area Campus. Construction on the former library building and Audio-Visual Classroom Center is anticipated to begin in 2023 with completion for Fall Semester 2024.
Also in 2023, the Findlay-area Campus will celebrate its 40th anniversary serving Findlay and the greater Hancock County area. Plans are underway to create a planning group for this milestone.
With the college’s current strategic plan expiring this year, Dr. Somerville said Owens plans to continue working with internal and external stakeholders on developing the new plan to ensure Owens maintains its position serving students and the region. She held several listening sessions on the subject, both on campus and in the community, during the past academic year.
Owens President Somerville Among 26 Selected for Aspen Institute’s National Fellowship
Posted on August 22nd, 2022
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program (Aspen) has named Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville among 26 leaders for its national New Presidents Fellowship Class of 2022-23. This program supports community college presidents in the early years of their tenure as they work to achieve higher and more equitable levels of student success.
“I am honored to be selected for the Aspen Fellowship,” said Dr. Somerville, who began as the eighth Owens president in June 2021. “The Aspen Institute is known for its exceptional work with community colleges at the national level. I look forward to working with the distinguished fellows in my class and identifying best practices that will help make a difference for Owens Community College and our students.”
This class of fellows represents the diversity of our nation’s community colleges, collectively serving more than 250,000 students at colleges across the nation, in urban, suburban and rural areas. The incoming class of New Presidents Fellows is 46 percent female and 65 percent are people of color. Located in 19 states, their institutions too are diverse, from a tribal college with fewer than 300 students to an urban college that educates more than 35,000 each year.
The fellows, selected through a competitive process, will work closely with other transformational community college presidents and Aspen leaders over nine months to learn from field-leading research, analyze their colleges’ student outcomes, and clarify their visions for excellent and equitable outcomes for students while in college and after they graduate.
“The quality of our nation’s community colleges depends on the quality of our college presidents,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the College Excellence Program. “I am continually inspired and motivated by the dedication and expertise that our fellows bring to the work of advancing excellence and equity on their campuses, and I look forward to seeing the changes they make in real time to improve outcomes for their students.”
Prior to taking the presidency at Owens, Dr. Somerville held leadership positions at Hawkeye Community College, Bloomsburg University, Iowa State University and Lorain County Community College. She earned her doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania, her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University and her bachelor’s degree from Ohio Northern University. The Detroit native worked a graduate assistantship at the University of Findlay. Dr. Somerville participated in the Harvard University Institute for Education Management and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities’ Millennium Leadership Institute.
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.
Owens Named Among Ohio’s Inaugural Collegiate Purple Star Campuses as Leader for Military-Affiliated Students
Posted on May 26th, 2022
Owens Community College’s outreach to those who serve or have served our great nation dates to its opening in 1965. The Rossford Army Ordnance Depot once occupied a site that is now a short walk to the College’s Veterans Hall. An Ohio Historical Society marker commemorates the location.
Owens has continued to refine and advance its services for military-affiliated students ever since. As a state leader in veterans’ services, the State of Ohio announced its inaugural class of College Purple Star Campuses, including Owens Community College.
Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor Randy Gardner made the announcement in advance of Memorial Day weekend and during Military Appreciation Month.
“Owens Community College has a long history of providing a supportive environment for military-affiliated students,” Dr. Dione D. Somerville, Owens President, said. “Being named a College Purple Star Campus in the inaugural class is truly an honor and a testament to the work we’re doing with our military-affiliated students who are seeking a higher education and pathway forward in life.”
Led by Sharron Pappas, Manager of Veterans Services (Navy), Owens served more than 500 military-affiliated students in the 2021-22 academic year.
Student veterans, active duty service members and dependents and spouses of veterans have access to Veterans Hall, which includes a lounge area, study room, kitchenette and computer lab. These military-affiliated students also have an opportunity to get involved in the Owens Student Veterans Organization (SVO), which is registered with the national Student Veterans of America. Student veterans have the option to apply for scholarships through the SVO.
A total of 33 colleges and universities in Ohio received the Purple Star designation. Ohio is the first state in the nation to award Purple Star designations.
“Congratulations to the 33 schools chosen as the first College Purple Star Campuses,” Governor Mike DeWine said. “Thank you for being examples of Ohio’s proud tradition of honoring our servicemen and women. With these Collegiate Purple Star Award designations, servicemembers, veterans and military-connected students are able to pursue higher education knowing that their school has the necessary support system and guidance to help them find their next steps.”
For more information about Owens Community College Veterans Services, please visit www.owens.edu/veterans.
State Board Recertifies College’s Department of Public Safety
Posted on April 28th, 2022
The Owens Community College Department of Public Safety (DPS), led by Chief Steven M. Harrison, has been recognized by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. Created to hold agencies to high standards, accountability and instill a greater confidence with the public, the Ohio Collaborative certified or recertified the College’s department in these three categories:
Use of force and recruitment and hiring
Community engagement
Bias free policing and investigation of employee misconduct
“We are always looking for ways to increase public trust and confidence. Being certified by the Ohio Collaborative helps us improve those efforts,” said Chief Harrison. “People can come to our college and know they are going to be in a safe learning environment.”
The College’s DPS was recertified for use of force, recruitment and hiring standards. In order to receive recertification, the department had to meeting various protocols including:
Conduct investigation/report review for use of force policy compliance.
Establish an agency recruitment plan.
Detail the sworn officer application and selection process.
DPS has received certification for community engagement as well as bias free policing and investigation of employee misconduct standard. To receive these new certifications, the department had to meet specific protocols including:
Share photos of agency personnel participating in activities or information exchanges.
Document reviews of body camera capture data.
Define timelines for the resolution of complaints.
The Ohio Collaborative is a 12-person panel comprised of law enforcement experts and community leaders, originally established in 2014. A total of 573 law enforcement agencies in Ohio have received certification.
Owens Express Baseball Team Hosts Doubleheader at Fifth Third Field April 30
Posted on April 19th, 2022
The Owens Express baseball team, led by head coach John Parisho, is returning to Fifth Third Field in downtown Toledo for an exciting doubleheader in preparation for the postseason and another run to the NJCAA Division III World Series. The Express will take on the Bryant & Stratton Bobcats on Saturday, April 30, beginning at 4 p.m. in the final “home” regular season games this season.
The Bryant & Stratton games will conclude Ohio Community College Athletic Conference play for the Express, who are in contention for the conference championship before beginning postseason play Tuesday, May 10.
Between games at Fifth Third Field, the Express athletic department will also celebrate its two national championship teams with on-field recognition. The Owens Express women’s volleyball team and head coach Sonny Lewis won its third consecutive national championship in November. Then, in March, the Owens Express women’s basketball team and head coach Stephen Perry, cut down the nets as the team won its first national championship. This was the first time since 2003 that the same school won the national championship in both sports in the same school year.
“We invite the entire Owens community, students and baseball fans to Fifth Third Field because it’s going to be a great Saturday for Owens Express sports in downtown Toledo,” Shelley Whitaker, Owens Express Athletic Director, said. “Our baseball team can’t wait to play a doubleheader at the best minor league stadium in America.”
The Express doubleheader is the start of a multi-year partnership with the Mud Hens and Fifth Third Field. “We are so excited for the return of baseball and look forward to our continued partnership this season and beyond,” said Troy Hammersmith, Manager of Special Events with the Toledo Mud Hens. The Express has inked a deal to host doubleheaders in downtown Toledo for the next two seasons.
Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for kids ages 6-17 as well as Senior/Military tickets. Owens Community College and Bryant & Stratton Students will be able to unlock free tickets using the promo code provided on their respective campuses. Students may present their student ID at the box office as well.
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
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 Adjunct Faculty Recruitment Event
What: Owens is seeking adjunct faculty in many academic disciplines, including business (management, marketing, general), culinary, biology, diesel, Caterpillar/John Deere, manufacturing, nursing, STNA and more! Anyone interested in learning more about working as an adjunct faculty member at Owens should attend.
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
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.
Community Members, Prospective New Students Invited to Owens Community College Open House Monday, October 11
Posted on September 27th, 2021
Owens Community College will host an Open House from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, October 11 to provide community members and prospective new students with an opportunity to explore academic programs and transfer options.
The Open House will be located in Veterans Hall 201 on the Toledo-area Campus and Education Center 111 on the Findlay-area Campus.
“Our faculty and staff will be available to talk about our academic majors and our transfer options to four-year colleges and universities,” Amy Giordano, Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services, said. “In addition to academics, the Owens experience includes our dedicated support services such as academic advising as well as our student clubs and organizations. We will have representatives at the Open House to discuss these services that benefit student success.”
“The Open House will allow students to explore what we offer to support their educational journey. We also know that many students come ready to take the next step and begin the enrollment process. Our staff will assist anyone interested in completing an admissions application, needing support with the FAFSA, or is ready to sign up for orientation,” Giordano said.
Masks will be required.
Owens Signs Transfer Agreement with Siena Heights University
Posted on September 2nd, 2021
Owens Community College and Siena Heights University signed an articulation agreement today creating a seamless transfer path for Owens graduates to complete their bachelor’s degree online with the 4-year university located in Adrian, Michigan.
“We are pleased to offer Owens Community College graduates the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree online with Siena Heights University,” said SHU President Sister Peg Albert, OP, Ph.D. “We are excited about this collaboration with Owens Community College.”
The articulation agreement is designed to provide Owens Community College graduates equal consideration with other students seeking admission and financial aid. Credit completed at Owens will transfer toward a SHU baccalaureate degree in Applied Science, Business Administration and Community and Human Services.
“We are proud to partner with Siena Heights University on this agreement,” Owens President Dione D. Somerville Ed.D., said. “Owens remains committed to providing pathways that lead to meaningful student outcomes and this partnership is further demonstration of that commitment.”
In addition, the articulation agreement also provides eligible full-time Owens Community College employees a discounted tuition rate for SHU undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
For the eighth consecutive year, SHU’s undergraduate Online Learning Program was ranked nationally by the U.S. News and World Report. For the fifth consecutive year, Siena Heights was top-rated in Michigan among all institutions. Siena Heights tied for 34th among all public and private institutions.
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 Extends Shuttle Bus Service to Off-Campus Locations
Posted on August 12th, 2021
This story was published in August 2021. For the most current information about the Owens shuttle service, visit owens.edu/shuttle.
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio – Owens Community College is extending its shuttle bus service to off-campus locations in order to help create a pathway to success for students.
In setting up this free service, Owens identified the highest-enrollment neighborhoods near the Toledo-area Campus where its students could benefit from the shuttle bus service. The service begins Monday, August 30 to coincide with the start of Fall Semester classes.
“We want to eliminate barriers that many of us take for granted, such as transportation,” Amy Giordano, Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management, said. “If students do not need to worry about how they will get to class, their focus will be on being successful in class.”
The off-campus pick-up and drop-off locations include Huron Street near the City Grill in downtown Toledo, the Toledo Public Library Locke Branch in east Toledo and near Brentwood Park in Northwood.
TARTA offers service that connects near the Huron Street location in downtown Toledo, providing access to even more students who live in other locations.
The shuttle will make stops on the east and west sides of campus, at College Hall and the Center for Fine and Performing Arts.
The Owens shuttle will run on a continuous loop from 7:16 a.m. until 10:55 p.m. Monday-Friday when classes are in session. Hours will be adjusted when classes are not in session but the College is open.
Riders may be required to wear masks. Please refer to mask policies and further shuttle bus details online at www.owens.edu/shuttle.
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.
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 6, 2021 – Owens Community College recently welcomed Sherina Ohanian, manager in Program Leadership for Insights Division, North America of Kantar, as the newest member of its Board of Trustees. She is taking the seat vacated by Edwin J. Nagle III and will serve through Sept. 21, 2022.
Ohanian is a resident of Wood County and a graduate of the University of the West Indies with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Management Studies. She began her career as a mathematics and business teacher before moving into strategic business research. She has 24 years of extensive experience working for Fortune 500 companies in technology, automotive, CPG, and finance.
She has been actively involved in the community, currently as a member of the Rotary Club of Perrysburg, a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy and previously as a volunteer for many other organizations. Past volunteer service has included time as an executive member of the City of Perrysburg Bicentennial Celebrations, public information officer for the City of Perrysburg, president of the Perrysburg Elementary Parent Association and president of Parents Advocating Challenging Education (PACE).
The College’s Board of Trustees comprises nine community leaders appointed by the Governor of Ohio for six-year terms, chosen from the College’s service district of Lucas, Wood, Hancock, Ottawa and Sandusky counties.
In addition to Ms. Ohanian, Owens Community College Board of Trustees members include Mary Beth Hammond, Dr. Srinivas K. Hejeebu, Jason W. Johnson, Karil M. Morrissey, Richard Rowe, Rita L. Russell and Diana H. (Dee) Talmage.
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.
THREE FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR THE OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE PRESIDENT SEARCH
Posted on March 25th, 2021
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March 25, 2021 – The Owens Community College Board of Trustees’ President Search Ad Hoc Committee announces three finalists in the national search for the next president are invited to meet the college community and interview with the Board of Trustees. Facilitated with AGB Search, the Board seeks a candidate with outstanding leadership qualities, proven success leading dynamic complex organizations and a demonstrated ability to build partnerships with key stakeholders.
The three candidates are scheduled for virtual campus visits the week of March 29, with open forums for the community, faculty, staff and students.
The three finalists for consideration:
Brandon Roderick Tucker – He currently serves as the associate vice president of Workforce & Community Development at Washtenaw Community College, Michigan.Tucker leads the College’s efforts to connect with industry and community to develop opportunities and partnerships that support enrollment, apprenticeships, workforce development, and alternative revenue goals. In this role, he has direct responsibility for the departments of Workforce & Community Development, Career Transitions, Public Service Training, College and Career Readiness, Corporate and Community Engagement and Advanced Transportation, a unique college-wide initiative comprised of academic and non-credit stakeholders that have positioned the College to be a state-wide leader in training for the field of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. He previously served as the academic dean for the Advanced Technology & Public Services Careers division, one of the most diverse academic units. In this role, Tucker served as the academic and administrative leader for the Division which has nearly 2,000 students in both associate degree and certificate program areas, including Automotive Services, Auto Body Repair, Advanced Manufacturing, Construction Technology, Welding & Fabrication, HVAC, Criminal Justice, Early Childhood Education, and the Police Academy.
Laura J. Treanor – She currently serves as the provost at Vincennes University, Indiana. Throughout her 30-year career, Treanor has served as an exemplary innovator and transformative leader who has developed high-impact teams, heralded new programs and services and championed academic quality. During her leadership at Vincennes University, the institution was notified of its eligibility for two Aspen Prize Awards that are based on improvements in graduation rates, student success and equitable student success: The Community College Excellence and Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM awards. Under her leadership, transfer partnerships have increased and year-over-year growth in dual credit partnerships have also increased. She oversees two of the most successful work-based learning programs in Southwest Indiana: the Toyota Advanced Manufacturing Technician Program and the Amazon Mechatronics Apprenticeship Program. The most recent partnership being forged is in cooperation with two local school districts and a regional development foundation: The launch of an Online Early College model designed to make College more accessible to students.
Dione Dorsey Somerville – She serves as executive vice president at Hawkeye Community College, Iowa. Among her accomplishments, she leads the College’s COVID-19 response, including helping provide leadership to Academic Affairs during the 6-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, Somerville was vice president for student affairs at Bloomsburg University. Among her accomplishments, she provided leadership for Bloomsburg’s regional accreditation, creating the university’s first Division of Strategic Enrollment Management, and envisioned the student wellness initiative, with a particular focus on mental health and dependency on alcohol and other drugs. 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. Somerville provided leadership during 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.
Additional information about the Owens President Search, including finalists’ bios and the open forum schedule, can be found by visiting www.owens.edu/president-search/.
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.
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.
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.
OWENS RECEIVES EXCELLENCE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AWARD FROM OHIO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION
Posted on October 6th, 2020
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 6, 2020 – Owens Community College’s Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center has been awarded the 2020 Annual Excellence in Workforce Development by the Ohio Economic Development Association (OEDA). This award recognizes unique approaches to any aspect of workforce development and acknowledges an organization that has developed innovative practices and programs.
“The Annual Excellence Awards showcase the best of the best in economic development and gives members of the profession the opportunity to collectively celebrate the success of the economic development profession,” Jennifer Price, OEDA Executive Director, said.
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); computer numerical control (CNC) and manual machining; electrical; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and alternative energy; mechanical and pneumatics; and robotics and programmable logic controller (PLC).
“We are pleased to have been recognized by the OEDA for the College’s commitment to workforce development. The Dana Center represents the College’s latest significant investment to directly impact Northwest Ohio’s regional economy,” stated Bill Balzer, interim president, Owens Community College. “A skilled workforce is critical to fill thousands of new and existing jobs in manufacturing and aligned careers throughout our region and the state. The Dana Center was specifically designed to meet these needs now and well into the future. We thank Dana Incorporated and other supporters for joining us in meeting the region’s training needs for the new and incumbent workers for decades to come.”
Owens was nominated for the OEDA award by project architect Tim Swartz from SSOE Group. Headquartered in Toledo with a national and global footprint, SSOE is a leader in aligning education design with workforce needs.
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.
OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES NAMED TO BOARD LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
Posted on February 18th, 2020
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Feb. 18, 2020 – Owens Community College has named Mary Beth Hammond and Dr. Srini Hejeebu to serve as the chair and vice-chair for the College’s board of trustees. Hammond and Hejeebu were elected to their positions by their fellow colleagues during a recent Owens board of trustees meeting and will serve one-year terms.
“My time serving on the Board of Trustees has been personally rewarding for me. As a community college graduate, I take pride in my contributions to the College and hope that I am making a difference in the lives of our students through thoughtful leadership,” said Hammond. “Our Owens Leadership team is stronger than ever, and I look forward to continuing my commitment along with the rest of the Board and President Dr. Robinson to help power northwest Ohio with skilled, competent leaders for years to come.”
Initially appointed to the board in Dec. 2013, Hammond, currently serves as senior private banker at Fifth Third Bank in Findlay and has more than 30-years of financial experience. She supports multiple non-profit organizations, is a past president of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of The Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute. Additionally, Hammond is an Athena recipient in Wood and Hancock Counties.
Hejeebu, a Sylvania resident, was also appointed to the board of trustees in Dec. 2013. He is currently a professor of Medicine at the University of Toledo and an internist at the University of Toledo Medical Center.
“I am honored to work with Owens Community College to promote education in our community. I look forward to working with President Robinson and the rest of the Owens board of trustees to help Northwest Ohio train and develop outstanding students in our community,” stated Hejeebu.
The College’s board of trustees is currently comprised of nine community leaders from Lucas, Wood and Hancock Counties who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio for six-year terms.
In addition to Hammond and Hejeebu, board members include Charles L. Bills of Findlay, Jason W. Johnson of Toledo, Karil M. Morrissey of Perrysburg, Edwin J. Nagle of Perrysburg, Richard Rowe Jr. of Findlay, Rita L. Russell of Toledo and Diana H. (Dee) Talmage of Toledo.
For more information on Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.
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 39th 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.
OWENS AND UNITED WAY OF GREATER TOLEDO TO HOST EVENT CELEBRATING THE 11TH ANNIVERSARY OF HELP-PORTRAIT™
Posted on November 19th, 2019
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 19, 2019 – In partnership with United Way of Greater Toledo, Owens staff, students and alumni will gather with community volunteers on Saturday, Dec. 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Owens Learning Center Downtown Toledo to donate their time and skills to create memorable professional portraits for those in need. Walk-ins are welcome on a first come, first served basis from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Photographers, make-up artists, hair stylists and volunteers will gather to take part in this event to mark the tenth annual Help-Portrait worldwide event. In 2008, Help-Portrait began as an idea that transformed into a movement in just three months. The idea behind Help-Portrait is simple: 1. Find someone in need 2. Take their portrait 3. Print their portrait and 4. Deliver their portrait.
Celebrity photographer Jeremy Cowart formed Help-Portrait, a non-profit organization, in 2008 as he contemplated using his skills and expertise to give back to those who may not have the opportunity for a professional photo. The idea is that a photographer has the unique ability to help someone smile, laugh and return their dignity. It is a movement, a shift in photography.
In the last ten years, more than 75,442 volunteers have given more than 381,856 portraits. Help-Portrait is a global movement in more than 2803 locations in 67 countries. The annual Help-Portrait event takes place on the first Saturday of December each year in addition to special events.
This event is made possible through generous contributions made to the Owens Community College Foundation.
The Owens Learning Center Downtown Toledo is located at 1301 Monroe St., Toledo. For additional information or questions, please contact Krista Kiessling at krista_kiessling@owens.edu.
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.
OACC AWARDS FORMER OWENS TRUSTEE, EDWARD REITER, THE 2019 TERRY M. THOMAS FRIEND OF COMMUNITY COLLEGES AWARD
Posted on September 6th, 2019
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 6, 2019 – The Ohio Association of Community Colleges’ (OACC) recently awarded the Terry M. Thomas Friend of Community Colleges Award to former Owens Community College trustee, Edward J. Reiter, as part of the OACC 2019 Excellence Awards program.
Steve Robinson, Ph.D., president, Owens Community College, nominated Reiter for his leadership, passion and efforts to further technical education and help community college students throughout his 55 years of involvement within the communities of northwest Ohio and at Owens Community College.
“Ed Reiter has been a good friend to community colleges and higher education for many decades while serving in several leadership roles at Owens Community College and numerous other community boards,” said Robinson. “His tireless advocacy on behalf of education and specifically community college students has left an impact that will be felt for many years to come.”
Reiter, a resident of Bowling Green, graduated from Bowling Green State University and then served in the U.S. Army from 1962-64. After teaching for several years in area high schools, including at Penta County Vocational Schools. He joined Mid American National Bank and Trust Company and worked his way up through the ranks, eventually becoming chief executive officer of Mid American and then senior chairman of Sky Financial (formerly Mid American) from 1998-2005.
From 1976-1985, he served on the Owens Community College Board of Trustees including a term as chairman from 1979-1981. He also served on the Owens Community College Foundation Board of Directors from 2002-2004 and remains an Emeritus Director. The Edward and Linda Reiter Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 1984 and has to date awarded 50 scholarships.
Deeply committed to his community, Reiter has long been active in civic affairs, including service on the BGSU Alumni and Foundation boards, the COSI Board of Directors, the Toledo Community Foundation Board, the Toledo Symphony Board and the United Way. In addition to his service at Owens, he is a former Trustee of Lourdes University (formerly Lourdes College) and Davis College. He served on the Boards of the Toledo-area Chamber of Commerce, Cherry Street Mission and the Boys and Girls Club and is a founding member of the University of Toledo Center for Family Business.
The Terry M. Thomas Friend of Community Colleges Award is presented annually to someone who has had a major, positive impact on community colleges in Ohio, the award is named in honor of the OACC’s founding Executive Director.
OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECEIVES LEAD GIFT FROM DANA INCORPORATED FOR NEW ADVANCED MANUFACTURING TRAINING CENTER
Posted on August 28th, 2019
Owens Embarks on Capital Fundraising Campaign for New $9.6 million, 59,000 Square-foot Facility to Promote Development of Skilled Workers in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 28, 2019 – Owens Community College announced today it received a $1 million investment from Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) for the new Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center. The new facility will help address the shortage in skilled workers throughout Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan. The announcement kicks off a capital fundraising campaign to support the initiative.
Focused on increasing training and development of skilled workers in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan, the project will renovate a 59,000 square-foot existing facility, which will feature six skilled technology labs, including computer-aided design (CAD); computer numerical control (CNC) and manual machining; electrical; heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and alternative energy; mechanical and pneumatics; and robotics and programmable logic controller (PLC).
“The skills gap is one of the single biggest constraints on growth in our industry and the economy as a whole. According to estimates from the Manufacturing Institute, there will be more than 4.6 million manufacturing jobs in the U.S. to fill by 2028. At current rates, we will only have 2.2 million skilled workers for these positions. That is a gap of over 2.4 million jobs,” said James Kamsickas, president and chief executive officer of Dana. “Dana’s investment with Owens Community College will help to bridge that gap by offering critical training in advanced manufacturing and skilled trades to support the manufacturing base of northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan.”
The State of Ohio has approved $4 million in capital funding and Owens will invest up to $3.6 million of its local dollars to support the project. The capital campaign will focus on securing the remaining $2 million funding gap to complete the project.
“The new Advanced Manufacturing Training Center will house all of our advanced manufacturing and skilled trade programs in one building, offering our students a more conducive environment for learning current and advanced technologies that are critical for the workforce in our region,” said Steve Robinson, Ph.D., president, Owens Community College. “The generous support from a major corporation like Dana demonstrates the trust and confidence we have been able to cultivate through our many years as northwest Ohio’s leader in workforce training.”
The new 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.
“Toledo has more robots per capita than any metro area in America, but until today, the area did not have the training partnership between educators and the private sector that can supply the talent needed to grow the modern manufacturing sector of the economy,” said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. “The advanced manufacturing partnership between Owens and Dana is exactly what Northwest Ohio needs to compete educationally and economically.”
For more information about the new Dana Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, please visit www.owens.edu/amtc.
About Dana Incorporated
Dana is a world leader in providing power-conveyance and energy-management solutions for vehicles and machinery. The company’s portfolio improves the efficiency, performance, and sustainability of light vehicles, commercial vehicles, and off-highway equipment. From axles, driveshafts, and transmissions to electrodynamic, thermal, sealing, and digital solutions, the company enables the propulsion of conventional, hybrid, and electric-powered vehicles by supplying nearly every vehicle and engine manufacturer in the world. Founded in 1904, Dana employs more than 36,000 people who are committed to delivering long-term value to customers. Based in Maumee, Ohio, USA, and with locations in 33 countries across six continents, the company reported sales of $8.1 billion in 2018. Having established a dynamic, high-performance culture, the company has been recognized globally as a top employer, with significant honors in Asia, India, Italy, Mexico, and the United States. Learn more at www.dana.com.
RAMADEVI KANNAN RECEIVES 2019 ACBSP TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Posted on July 18th, 2019
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 18, 2019 – Ramadevi Kannan, professor of accounting, has been named a regional recipient of the 2019 Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Teaching Excellence Award. The ACBSP recognizes individuals each year who exemplify teaching excellence in the classroom.
Professor Kannan was honored, along with other regional recipients, at the 2019 ACBSP Conference in Houston, Texas in June. She received a crystal medallion and a $250 check. In addition, Ms. Kannan was selected from all regional award winners as the recipient of the ACBSP International Teaching Excellence Award for 2019, which was not announced until the awards ceremony at the conference. She was presented with an engraved crystal award and a check for $500.
“Ms. Kannan has a reputation for working very closely with students to ensure they have the tools needed to be successful. She is fair and kind when dealing with students’ issues and she delivers the curriculum to suit multiple learning styles. Furthermore, I recently learned that Rama even went so far as to financially assist a student whose laptop was stolen during the semester. That level of dedication to students is extraordinary, and illustrates her kindness and compassion for helping students succeed,” said Elizabeth “Libby” King, chair, Business Technologies, Owens Community College.
The ACBSP Associate Degree Commission established the International Teaching Excellence Award in 1995 to recognize outstanding classroom teachers. In 2002, the Baccalaureate Degree Commission created a similar award to recognize excellence in teaching at the baccalaureate/graduate degree level. ACBSP is the only specialized body for business schools that presents an award recognizing excellence in teaching, open to application by the entire membership.
“It is more important than ever for business programs to produce graduates who are ready to enter the global marketplace,” said Jeffrey Alderman, ACBSP president and CEO. “ACBSP has a mission to develop, promote and recognize best practices that contribute to continuous improvement of business education. Recognition of teaching excellence is one way we achieve this goal,” he stated.
About ACBSP
ACBSP’s mission is to promote continuous improvement and recognize excellence in the accreditation of business education programs around the world. ACBSP, www.acbsp.org, is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a specialized accreditation agency for business education. ACBSP is the only global accrediting body to accredit business, accounting, and business-related programs at all degree levels. ACBSP currently has 1,100+ member campuses in 60 countries. Of those campuses, 942 have achieved accreditation and more than 150 are in candidacy for accreditation. Individual members on these campuses now exceed 13,000. FAQs / Accreditation FAQs
GM PARTNERS WITH OWENS TO CHART DEBT-FREE PATH FOR IN-DEMAND AUTO TECH JOBS
Posted on June 13th, 2019
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, June 13, 2019 – General Motors Co. (GM) has chosen Owens Community College as one of seven community colleges in Michigan, Ohio and Pennsylvania to launch its GM Dealer Technician Scholarship, a program that can help students graduate debt-free with a two-year associate degree in automotive technology, beginning fall 2019. This scholarship is offered through the Owens Community College Foundation to assist eligible students who are enrolled in the GM Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP) with full tuition and fees.
“This is great news for our students who are looking to enter the automotive technology field with low cost, high-quality training,” said Steve Robinson, Ph.D., president, Owens Community College. “We are proud to continue our more than 25-year partnership with GM to help fill the gap between industry needs and qualified workers.”
The GM Dealer Technician Scholarship will help address the growing demand for highly trained automotive service technicians. The Ohio Occupational Employment Projection Report estimates that the industry will need 28,675 more technicians by 2026 due to anticipated demand and attrition.
Owens Community College works with nearly 50 GM dealerships in the region to provide students the opportunity to work alongside experienced technicians to maintain and repair today’s high-tech vehicles.
There is a 100 percent job placement rate for students completing the GM ASEP program at Owens.
The end goal of exposing these students to many of GM’s industry-leading technologies, including battery-electric vehicles, semi-autonomous driver assistance systems like Cadillac Super Cruise and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity is full-time employment at one of more than 4,000 GM dealerships around the country.
“We’re tearing down the barriers that stand in the way of people pursuing these good-paying, high-tech jobs,” said Terry Rhadigan, executive director, GM Corporate Giving. “After two years, we want people to hit the ground running, so we will help them get a quality education, technical training and hands-on experience without the burden of student loans.”
Students interested in the scholarship program should contact Owens Transportation Technologies department at (567) 661-7388.
OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS LOCAL FIRST RESPONDERS WITH OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDS
Posted on April 25th, 2019
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 25, 2019 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association has chosen fourteen area first responders to receive the 16th annual Outstanding Service Awards for their tremendous contributions to Northwest Ohio’s communities. The recipients will be honored as part of a community celebration Friday, April 26 in the Veterans Hall on Owens’ Toledo-area Campus beginning at 7:45 a.m.
Award recipients are Kurt Schroeder, Luis Munguia, Matt Gazarek, Dave Molter, Alicia Cryan, Dustin Glass, Kim Katafias, Chris Klewer, Scott Moskowitz, Donny Widmer, Bryce Blair, Scott Perry, Katherine Taylor and Chad Morris.
This year’s awards are presented within the categories of Outstanding Police, Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician and Service to the Community. Selection criteria is based upon a nomination process for candidates demonstrating exceptional service related to dedication, ingenuity, bravery, special skills or assistance in a unique situation. The awards are not limited to a single recipient and can be a group honor where teamwork was a key element.
The recipients of the Outstanding Police Award are Patrol Officer Kurt Schroeder (Perrysburg Township Police), Sergeant Luis Munguia (Owens Community College Police Department), Lieutenant Matt Gazarek, Sergeant Dave Molter, Officer Alicia Cryan, Officer Dustin Glass, Officer Kim Katafias, Officer Chris Klewer, Officer Scott Moskowitz and Officer Donny Widemer (Perrysburg Township Police Department).
The recipient of the Outstanding Firefighter Award is Battalion Chief Bryce Blair (Toledo Fire & Rescue Department).
The Outstanding Emergency Medical Technician Award will be presented to Scott Perry, paramedic (Sylvania Township Fire Department), and Katherine Taylor, emergency medical technician and volunteer firefighter (Rossford Fire Department).
The Outstanding Service to the Community Award will be presented to Lieutenant Chad Morris (Sylvania Township Fire Department).
The Owens Community College Alumni Association recognizes the tremendous contribution that police, fire and emergency medical professionals make to our communities. Their selfless acts of courage make our lives safer. We honor those whose actions went above and beyond the high standards of their profession, often serving in conjunction with other public safety departments to help those in need. The Alumni Association is privileged to sponsor the Outstanding Service Awards Celebration.
For more information about Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.
RAMADEVI KANNAN RECEIVES 2019 ACBSP TEACHING EXCELLENCE AWARD
Posted on April 16th, 2019
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 16, 2019 – Ramadevi Kannan, professor of Accounting, has been named a regional recipient of the 2019 ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award. The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) recognizes individuals each year who exemplify teaching excellence in the classroom.
Professor Kannan will be honored, along with other regional recipients, at the ACBSP Conference 2019, June 21-24 in Houston, Texas. She will receive a crystal medallion and a $250 check. Two International Teaching Excellence Award recipients, one from a baccalaureate/graduate degree-granting institution and one from an associate degree- granting institution, will be announced at the Salute to Regions ceremony. As a regional recipient, Professor Kannan is now a candidate for the international award.
“Ms. Kannan has a reputation for working very closely with students to ensure they have the tools needed to be successful. She is fair and kind when dealing with students’ issues and she delivers the curriculum to suit multiple learning styles. Furthermore, I recently learned that Rama even went so far as to financially assist a student whose laptop was stolen during the semester. That level of dedication to students is extraordinary, but illustrates her kindness and compassion for helping student succeed,” said Elizabeth “Libby” King, chair, Business Technologies, Owens Community College.
The ACBSP Associate Degree Commission established the International Teaching Excellence Award in 1995 to recognize outstanding classroom teachers. In 2002, the Baccalaureate Degree Commission created a similar award to recognize excellence in teaching at the baccalaureate/graduate degree level. ACBSP is the only specialized body for business schools that presents an award recognizing excellence in teaching, open to application by the entire membership.
“It is more important than ever for business programs to produce graduates who are ready to enter the global marketplace,” said Jeffrey Alderman, ACBSP president and CEO. “ACBSP has a mission to develop, promote and recognize best practices that contribute to continuous improvement of business education. Recognition of teaching excellence is one way we achieve this goal,” he stated.
UNIVERSITY OF FINDLAY, OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE ANNOUNCE OILER EXPRESS DUAL ADMISSION PROGRAM
Posted on March 25th, 2019
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, March 25, 2019 – Thanks to a partnership between University of Findlay and Owens Community College, students now have a new option for earning a four-year degree from Findlay. The presidents of Findlay and Owens will sign a dual-admission agreement called the Oiler Express on Thursday, March 28 at 2 p.m. in the Center for Student Life and College of Business on University of Findlay’s campus.
The Oiler Express enables students to apply once for dual admission to both Owens and Findlay, then chart their course straight through to their bachelor’s degree from Findlay. Students enrolled in the Oiler Express program will attend Owens for their associate degree while the University of Findlay closely tracks their progress to ensure their Owens classes transfer seamlessly to Findlay.
“We are happy to partner with Owens Community College to provide another path to a four-year degree for students in Northwest Ohio,” said University of Findlay President Katherine Fell, Ph.D. “University of Findlay and Owens Community College have been strong partners for many years, and this new program is evidence of our institutions’ commitment to ensuring that our community continues to thrive.”
New and continuing Owens students who qualify can apply to the Oiler Express program to take advantage of the guaranteed admission to Findlay beginning with the Summer 2019 term. With the help of a transfer counselor, this option allows students to save time by focusing on classes that count toward their specific degree at UF.
“We are honored to continue our commitment to removing barriers for transfer students by partnering with the University of Findlay,” Steve Robinson, Ph.D., president, Owens Community College. “This program creates a seamless process for students to begin their academic careers at Owens and then continue straight through to their bachelor’s degree with the University of Findlay.”
To qualify for the Oiler Express program, students cannot have previously attended University of Findlay and must meet the University’s minimum admission criteria. Current UF students who are taking classes at Owens to transfer back to Findlay are eligible for the program.
To learn more about the Oiler Express Dual Admission Program, contact the University of Findlay’s Office of Admissions at 419-434-4732 or admissions@findlay.edu.
Or call the Owens Office of Admissions at 567-661-7777 (Toledo) or admission@owens.edu.
CHILDREN RECEIVE FREE DENTAL SERVICES DURING ANNUAL GIVE KIDS A SMILE DAY AT OWENS
Posted on January 23rd, 2019
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 23, 2019 – Owens’ Dental Hygiene program, in collaboration with the Toledo Dental Society, will be offering a day of free dental services for children ages six months to 18 years with limited or no access to care. The event will take place Friday, Feb. 1, 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 to 4 p.m. at the College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic located on the second floor of the Health Technologies Hall on the Toledo-area Campus.
Give Kids A Smile Day is a national initiative by the American Dental Association, dedicated to focusing attention on the epidemic of untreated oral disease among disadvantaged children. Held each February in conjunction with National Children’s Dental Health Month, Give Kids A Smile Day provides free oral health education, screening and treatment services to children from low-income families across the country.
Owens Dental Hygiene second-year students, faculty and alumni, and area dentists will be conducting dental services, which will include dental education and screening, X-rays, oral prophylaxis (cleanings), limited restorations and dental sealants. In addition, first-year students from the health programs will provide educational presentations for parents and children.
Owens’ 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, and appointments are available during the Fall and Spring semesters for a $30 fee.
Individuals interested in receiving free dental service are encouraged to contact the College’s Dental Hygiene Clinic at (567) 661-7294 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 7294. Appointment reservations must be made prior to the event.
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Jan. 9, 2019 – Contemporary Art Toledo and Owens Community College are thrilled to present “Zeitgeist: The Art Scene of Teenage Basquiat,” Friday, Jan. 25 – Friday, March 22 in the Terhune Gallery at the Owens’ Center for Fine and Performing Arts. This extraordinary exhibition focuses on the creative community Jean-Michel Basquiat helped galvanize in gritty, pre-AIDS, downtown New York—a time when decay and dissolution fueled a boom in creativity and where the definition of fame, success and power was not based on money, Instagram likes or self-promotion.
Zeitgeist complements and amplifies the film by Sara Driver, “BOOM FOR REAL: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat” that was released from Magnolia Pictures in May 2018. Driver teamed with culture critic Carlo McCormick and Mary-Ann Monforton, associate publisher of BOMB Magazine, along with the New York gallery Howl! Happening to curate the expansive exhibition that features works by Basquiat himself and more than 30 friends and contemporaries, including Nan Goldin, Kenny Scharf, Al Diaz and Lee Quiñones.
A public reception for the exhibition will be held Saturday, Feb. 9 from 5-7 p.m. followed by a public screening of the film “BOOM FOR REAL: The Late Teenage Years of Jean-Michel Basquiat.” Special guest for both the reception and the film will be curator Carlo McCormick.
Known today for his outsized role in the rise of Neo Expressionism and recent record-breaking auction sales, the late Jean-Michel Basquiat was first recognized for his graffiti work in the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the late 1970s and early 1980s. In the emerging artistic circles there, the focus was not on creating content the established art market could readily digest and profit from, but on creating a community that stood in opposition – fostering unfiltered, uninhibited expression.
Basquiat’s work illuminated the contradictions of society – its opposing realities, inequalities, injustices – through a mix of disparate artistic traditions and unrefined, raw emotion fueled by the punk and hip-hop movements of the time. In only a few years, he went from supporting himself through panhandling and selling painted T-shirts and postcards while homeless, to being one of the most celebrated artists in New York, bringing the street level politics of what was an underground counter-culture collective with him into the spotlight.
Zeitgeist offers a unique opportunity to revisit the explosive, pre-fame period of Basquiat and his contemporaries. For these creators, to be a penniless published poet or a musician gigging at a local club was the height of success. In the rawness of the work, the focus on street art and graffiti, and the experimentation and cross-pollination of styles and disciplines, the era has become a flash point for younger generations seeking to learn about and understand the authenticity, closeness, and community expressed in the work of the artists in this truly unique exhibition.
Featured artists and friends in both the film and exhibition include Alexis Adler, Charlie Ahearn, Ted Barron, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Robert Carrithers, Henry Chalfant, Brett De Palma, Al Diaz, Barbara Ess, Coleen Fitzgibbon, Fab 5 Freddy, Futura, Robert Goldman aka Bobby G. Godlis, Nan Goldin, Michael Holman, Becky Howland, Tessa Hughes-Freeland, Jim Jarmusch, Justen, Ladda, Ann Messner, Mary-Ann Monforton, James Nares, Glenn O’Brien, Franc Palaia, Lee Quiñones, Walter Robinson, Christy Rupp, Luc Sante, Kenny Scharf, Paul Tschinkel, Robin Winters and Bob Gruen.
For more information, please visit www.owens.edu/fpa/terhune or call Paula Baldoni, River House Arts, at (419) 494-6536.
OWENS’ WELDING PROGRAM EARNS PRESTIGIOUS AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY ACCREDITATION
Posted on December 11th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 11, 2018 – The Owens Community College Welding Program has received accreditation through 2021 from the American Welding Society (AWS) by meeting the rigorous standards AWS has set in the industry.
The Welding Design Center at Owens is now one of just eight AWS accredited test facilities in Ohio.
“The AWS accreditation process is significant and thorough,” said Tracy Campbell, chair of Applied Engineering and Industrial Technologies. “You need to have the qualified instructors, staff, equipment and facilities. We have a quality program housed in the Welding Design Center.”
The $1.1 million Welding Design Center opened in 2011.
“The AWS accreditation will benefit our credit students and our non-credit students,” Campbell added. “We will be able to offer to industry and their employees any welder qualification test and to whatever code they are governed. We also will offer more classes and training to support these initiatives to prepare students for their specific testing.”
The AWS Accredited Test Facility (ATF) program establishes minimum requirements for test facilities, their personnel and equipment to qualify for accreditation to test and qualify welders. The program requires that a facility implement a quality assurance program that meets the requirements established in the AWS QC4-89, Standard for the Accreditation of Testing Facilities. The requirements include that the facility have a Quality Manual that controls the activities related to the testing of welders in the facility according to AWS QC7, Standard for AWS Certified Welders. For more information, visit www.aws.org.
The accreditation comes at a good time, given recent projections form the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics of a 26 percent increase in the demand for welders by 2020.
Owens trains students in all aspects of welding, including stick, gas, MIG and TIG. Advanced students may take plate or pipe welding pre-certification testing. I-CAR Automotive Steel GMAW (MIG) Welding Qualification Testing (WQ) is also available for welding and auto body students.
For more information on the Owens’ Welding Program, please contact Tracy Campbell at (567) 661-7164.
461 GRADUATES PREPARE FOR OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FALL COMMENCEMENT
Posted on December 10th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 10, 2018 – 461 candidates for graduation, including 82 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 38th Owens Community College Fall Commencement on Friday, Dec. 14. Of those graduates, 98 will graduate with honors. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.
Alexandra R. Kania of Toledo has been selected as the Owens Community College class representative and will address the graduates during the 38th Fall Commencement ceremony. She is graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in the Early Childhood Education Technology program with Cum Laude honors.
Kania is currently student teaching in an inclusive preschool classroom at Whiteford Elementary School in Sylvania. She has accepted a paraprofessional teaching position at the school following graduation.
Her love for education began growing up in a large, blended family with two older stepsiblings, one younger biological brother, two younger half siblings and a younger, adopted cousin who she now says is her brother.
“With my younger (biological) brother, I was teaching him how to read when I was 8 and he was 4. I always forced him to play school,” said Kania, 21. “My grandma found a report card I had made for my little cousin. … I was always playing the teacher role. I knew I wanted to be a teacher.”
She said working with her adopted cousin, who has special needs, inspired her to work with preschoolers who have special needs.
“As a teacher of young children, Alex is very intentional in her planning and attentive to the individual needs of every child,” Elisa Huss-Hage, Professor of Teacher Education, said. “She reflects the professional standards of our nationally accredited program, setting a high bar for her performance in all her classes and generously offering advice, suggestions and support to her classmates.”
After graduation from Perrysburg High School in 2015, Kania did not consider Owens. She wanted to live what she called the California dream and moved to San Diego, where she enrolled at MiraCosta College to study early childhood education. She also worked three part-time jobs to pay her rent. Nine months later, her car’s engine blew.
“I had no one to call except my mom in Ohio,” she said. “I realized it was time to come back home and get my life together.”
She started a full-time job working as a nanny for a Sylvania family with three children ranging in age from 3-13 and enrolled at Owens.
Kania soon learned she would have a child of her own, starting a whirlwind 15 months culminating with her Owens graduation.
In October 2017, Kania discovered she was pregnant. In April 2018, she and her future husband, Jed, bought a house. Their daughter, Rae, was born in July 2018. They married in August 2018.
“You can make plans all you want, but life doesn’t always care about your plans,” she said. “I’m still planning, but I know that life may not go the way I want it to. I say in my speech; failed plans are beautiful sometimes. My daughter wouldn’t be here if my plans had gone the way I wanted them to. She’s the best thing that happened to me. No matter what life throws at me, I know I can handle it.”
Brian Kennedy, president, director and CEO of the Toledo Museum of Art will serve as the commencement keynote speaker.
Born in Dublin, Ireland, Kennedy studied art history and history at University College in Dublin, earning bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees.
Prior to coming to the United States, Kennedy spent eight years as assistant director of the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin (1989-1997) and seven years as director of the National Gallery of Australia (1997-2004) in Canberra. While in Australia, he initiated a free admission policy, increased attendance through a series of major exhibitions and acquisitions and oversaw a total building refurbishment as well as an expansion to accommodate major temporary exhibitions.
From 2005-2010, Kennedy was director of Dartmouth College’s Hood Museum of Art in Hanover, New Hampshire, which has one of the largest and finest art collections at an American college or university.
In 2003, he was awarded a Centenary of Federation medal by the Australian Government for service to Australian Society and its art. In 2013, he was appointed inaugural eminent professor of the University of Toledo and in 2014 received an honorary doctorate from Lourdes University. Most recently, Kennedy received the 2014 Northwest Region Ohio Art Education Association’s award for Distinguished Educator for Art Education.
A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, Kennedy is a respected art historian, curator and author. He has authored six books, most recently books on the artists Sean Scully and Frank Stella.
Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public. For more information regarding Owens’ commencement ceremony, please visit www.owens.edu/commencement.
OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE WELCOMES NEW BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBER
Posted on December 6th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Dec. 6, 2018 – Owens Community College recently welcomed Rita Russell, senior vice president at Huntington National Bank, as the newest member of its Board of Trustees. She is taking the seat vacated by the retirement of Ron McMaster and will serve through Sept. 21, 2024.
Russell is a graduate of the University of Toledo, graduating from the Honors College with a major in finance and a minor in marketing. After graduation, she began full-time employment with Huntington National Bank, having accepted an offer to convert her intern position to a credit analyst position. During her more than 20-year tenure with the bank, she has held various roles including, credit analyst, underwriter, relationship manager, and portfolio manager. She currently holds the role of portfolio manager team lead, senior vice president, responsible for coordinating and managing the analysis/underwriting efforts of the northwest Ohio team.
She has been actively involved in the community, having previously served as a volunteer for a number of organizations. Past volunteer service has included Ohio Reads, Junior Achievement of Northwest Ohio, United Way of Greater Toledo, the President’s Leadership Academy of Bowling Green State University, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and as a reading tutor. Russell currently serves as a member of the LISC Lending Committee and as Co-Chair of the ProMedica/LISC partnership supporting local development opportunities.
The College’s Board of Trustees is comprised of nine community leaders who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio for six-year terms, chosen from the College’s service district of Lucas, Wood, Hancock, Ottawa and Sandusky counties.
In addition to Ms. Russell, Owens Community College Board of Trustees members include Diana H. (Dee) Talmage, Mary Beth Hammond, Charles L. Bills, Dr. Srinivas K. Hejeebu, Jason W. Johnson, Ed J. Nagle and Richard Rowe.
OWENS ANNOUNCES BOARD OF TRUSTEES SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
Posted on November 20th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Nov. 20, 2018 – Owens Community College’s Board of Trustees recently honored high achieving students enrolled for the fall semester by awarding thousands of dollars through the Board of Trustees Scholarship.
Scholarship recipients are awarded $1000 per semester, for up to four consecutive semesters if they continue to meet the criteria.
Students are eligible for this scholarship if they reside in the Owens legal district, enroll for the fall semester and meet one of the following criteria:
Graduating high school senior with a high school GPA of 3.7 or above
Graduating high school senior with a GPA of 3.0-3.69 and demonstrates academic motivation
High school graduate or GED recipient who has not been in school for at least a year and demonstrates motivation through community leadership, academic performance or experience as related to career path
Students receiving a Board of Trustees Scholarship are:
Alexander Buehler, Central Catholic High School
Alexandria Eck, Genoa Area High School
Amanda Czech, Central Catholic High School
Ashley Riley, Oak Harbor High School
Austin Charter, Whitmer Senior High School
Blake Osborn, Lake High School
Breanna Longenecker, Springfield Senior High School
Britney Grisez, Maumee High School
Cade Boos, Eastwood High School
Carson Garlock, Liberty Benton High School
Danielle Kosmyna, Perrysburg High School
Danielle McConnell, Toledo School of the Arts
Erika Berg, Cardinal Stritch High School
Frederick Barber, Achieve Career Prep Academy
Grace Hansen, Findlay Senior High School
Hanna Rose, North Baltimore High School
Hope Santangelo, Bowling Green Sr. High School
Ja Roya Ector, Calvin M. Woodward High School
Jarrett Batanian, Sylvania Northview High School
Joy Ruetz, Woodmore High School
Katalina Sobczak, Rossford High School
Kayla Bekier, Lake High School
Kristen Zink, Lake High School
Kolton Bloom, Elmwood High School
Lauren Matuszewski, Whitmer Senior High School
Marissa Sheldon, Elmwood High School
Maxine Birdsell, Rossford High School
Mikaila Sweeney, Genoa Area High School
Nathaniel Staley, North Baltimore High School
Paige Anderson, Sylvania Northview High School
Phoebe Church, Clay High School
Rosa Sanchez, Morrison R. Waite High School
Sarah Bird, Bowling Green Sr. High School
Spencer Wilkerson, Anthony Wayne High School
Taylor Carpenter, Perrysburg High School
Trevor Beamer, Clay High School
For more information regarding Owens’ scholarships including criteria for the Board of Trustees Scholarship, please visit www.owens.edu/financial_aid/scholarships.
ALLAN AND SUZANNE LIBBE RECEIVE INAUGURAL PHILANTHROPY AWARD FROM OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION
Posted on October 30th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 30, 2018 – The Owens Community College Foundation presented Allan and Suzanne Libbe with its inaugural philanthropy award during its 16th annual dinner meeting and donor appreciation event on Thursday, Oct. 18.
Established by the Owens Foundation Board of Directors, this award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated commitment, leadership, and collaboration through their service and philanthropy to Owens Community College and the Owens Foundation.
The Owens Foundation Board of Directors unanimously voted to name the award after Allan and Suzanne and future recipients will receive the Owens Community College Foundation – Allan and Suzanne Libbe Philanthropy Award. Mr. Libbe’s commitment to Owens Community College and its students spans nearly 30 years while serving in leadership positions. He was a gubernatorial appointed trustee to the Owens Community College Board of Trustees from 1992 – 2012 and served as chairman of the board from early 1996 through December 1997. Mr. Libbe currently serves on the Owens Community College Foundation Board of Directors since 2002 and served as honorary chair of a majors gifts campaign that raised more than $2.5 million in gifts, pledges and planned gifts.
“The Libbes commitment to education has impacted thousands of individuals and families throughout our communities,” said Philip Rudolph, Jr., Owens Community College Foundation chairman. “The Owens Foundation views this award as part of their legacy that we are now able to share with others with the same philanthropic spirit who support Owens Community College.”
Also announced was the establishment of the Rudolph Libbe Group – Allan Libbe Honorary Endowed Scholarship. This scholarship is made possible through contributions from the Rudolph Libbe Group, and Allan and Suzanne’s children – John Libbe and Margaret Libbe St. John. This scholarship will continue helping students into perpetuity, many of whom have the greatest needs.
During the meeting the Owens Foundation also elected the following board members to 3-year terms beginning in 2019: James F. Carter, Wood County Commissioner (retired), James H. Geers, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (retired), Andrea M. Gurcsik, First Solar, Jeannie Y. Hylant, Hylant and Allan J. Libbe, Rudolph Libbe Group (retired). The following individuals were also elected as officers for 2018-2019: Philip J. Rudolph, Jr., (chairman), Diana H. (Dee) Talmage (vice chairman), Michael E. Duffey (secretary), and Alan M. Sattler (treasurer).
For more information on the Owens Community College Foundation, please visit www.owens.edu/foundation.
LOURDES UNIVERSITY AND OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP
Posted on October 12th, 2018
The presidents of Lourdes University and Owens Community College will sign a dual admission partnership called Gray Wolf Express at 9 a.m. on Friday, October 12 in Russell Ebeid Hall on the Lourdes campus, 6832 Convent Blvd. in Sylvania.
Gray Wolf Express is designed to provide a seamless pathway to a bachelor’s degree from Lourdes University while also decreasing the time to degree completion, saving students time and money.
“The partnership between Owens and Lourdes once again demonstrates our commitment to making a bachelor’s degree affordable and accessible to a broad range of learners. The Gray Wolf Express pathway not only benefits students, it also benefits our region and economy,” says Mary Ann Gawelek. Ed.D., president of Lourdes University.
“We are pleased to strengthen our partnership with Lourdes University by offering a more seamless pathway for students to gain admission to both institutions simultaneously,” says Steve Robinson, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “Owens is committed to removing barriers to student success, and Gray Wolf Express is another important part of that commitment.”
Interested students should apply to Owens Community College indicating their interest in transferring to Lourdes University upon receiving their associate’s degree. The program guarantees admission to Lourdes and allows students to chart their course to a bachelor’s degree with the assistance of Owens and Lourdes advisors, and academic and student services.
For more information, contact Michelle Rable, Lourdes University Assistant Vice President of Institutional Research & Dean of Enrollment, at 419-885-5291 or luadmits@lourdes.edu.
OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION GOLF OUTING AND DRONE GOLF BALL DROP RAISES $50,600
Posted on October 2nd, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Oct. 2, 2018 – One hundred twenty area residents recently enjoyed a day of golf and the new Drone Golf Ball Drop in support of alumni scholarship programs as the Owens Community College’s Alumni Association held its 16th annual Golf Classic. The 30-team event raised $50,600, proceeds will benefit scholarships and outreach endeavors.
Since its inception, the Owens event has netted approximately $462,500 to support Owens students pursuing a college education and their career aspirations.
“The Alumni Association appreciates the generous support of our sponsors,” said Bridget Shea, Owens Alumni Association executive director. “Scholarships are a vital part of student success and this year’s Golf Classic and Drone Golf Ball Drop will help Owens students fulfill their educational goals.”
Organized by the Alumni Association’s steering committee, the golf outing was held at Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. The event featured the first Drone Golf Ball Drop in northwest Ohio, 18-holes of golf, lunch, grazing dinner and an awards program. The Golf Classic event was sponsored by Hylant Administrative Services. Toledo Aerial Media was the Drone sponsor. Rudolph Libbe Group was the Drone Golf Ball Drop sponsor. Control Systems for Building Automation was the Premiere sponsor and Metzgers was the print sponsor. This year, Perrysburg Auto Mall sponsored a hole-in-one contest for the golfers.
Bowers Asphalt and Paving sponsored the four-person scramble championship team. Team members included, Todd Sattler, Brad Kirsten, David Neely and Tony Gucciardo.
For more information on Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.
OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERS FIRST OF ITS KIND SCHOLARSHIP IN NORTHWEST OHIO
Posted on September 28th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 28, 2018 – Owens Community College is offering Owens College Credit Plus (CCP) students the unique opportunity to continue their academic path at Owens with the Start Here Scholarship, the only one of its kind in Northwest Ohio. The scholarship will begin being awarded in February 2019 for the 2019-2020 academic year.
“Owens is proud of the hard work of our CCP students and excited to further assist them on their academic journey by offering this scholarship,” said Amy Giordano, vice president, Enrollment Management and Student Services. “This scholarship will allow many more students to continue their academic studies while also minimizing out of pocket tuition cost.”
The Start Here Scholarship will cover the gap of tuition after all other scholarships and grants are applied for eligible students. Students who qualify will automatically receive the scholarship.
Qualifications for the new scholarship are:
Be an Ohio resident.
Be a high school senior graduating in spring 2019 who has earned at least nine credits at Owens through the CCP program.
Apply to Owens, have an Owens CCP GPA of 2.75 or higher, and a high school CPA of 2.75 or higher.
Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to Owens.
Enroll in 15 credits for fall 2019.
Start Here Scholars will also receive priority registration for future semesters and VIP access to Owens academic and student support services including special meeting times with advisors, Oserve representatives, tutoring mentors, and more.
The scholarship covers tuition only and students may be responsible for books and any additional fees depending on their chosen program of study.
For more information about Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.
RONALD MCMASTER RETIRES FROM OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE BOARD OF TRUSTEE
Posted on September 4th, 2018
PERRYSBURG RESIDENT A 25-YEAR MEMBER
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Sept. 4, 2018 – Owens Community College Board of Trustee member Ronald McMaster, Ph.D. of Perrysburg was honored today for his 25-years of service and commitment to the College and the Board of Trustees. McMasters will retire at the end of his term appointment on Sept. 21.
“Ron’s unwavering commitment to higher education has had a profound impact on Owens Community College,” said Dee Talmage, chair of the Owens Community College Board of Trustees. “We thank him for his dedication and support towards advancing the mission of Owens.”
Initially appointed to the Board of Trustees in 1993, McMaster is retired from the presidencies of McMaster Fuel Ltd. And McMaster Motor Company and was vice president of corporate development for Glasstech, Inc., when he retired in Oct. 2001 after a 24-year career.
During his Board of Trustees tenure, McMaster served as Board Chair (2006-07) and Vice Chair (2002-05). He also served as Chair for the Finance Committee, as a member of the Student Life Committee and served on three President Search Committees.
“Words cannot express the gratitude of the Owens community for Ron and his years of dedication,” said Steve Robinson, Ph.D., president of Owens Community College. “His leadership and support has impacted the lives of thousands of students and we extend to him a heartfelt thank you.”
McMaster earned his doctorate from the University of Michigan in mechanical engineering in 1969 and both his masters and bachelors in mechanical engineering cum laude from The Ohio State University in 1964.
The College’s Board of Trustees is comprised of nine community leaders from Lucas, Wood, Hancock and Sandusky counties who are appointed by the Governor of Ohio.
Owens Board of Trustees members include Diana H. (Dee) Talmage of Ottawa Hills, H. Richard Rowe of Findlay, Dr. Ronald A. McMaster of Perrysburg, Edwin J. Nagle of Toledo, MaryBeth Hammond of Findlay, Dr. Srinivas Hejeebu of Sylvania, Jason Johnson of Toledo, Deborah Knight of Perrysburg, and Charles Bills of Findlay.
For more information on Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.
OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE VISION FOR SUCCESS
Posted on August 23rd, 2018
STRATEGIC PLAN 2019-2021
WHAT:
Owens Community College impacts the community and the economic development of our region. The input of our stakeholders is important as we move forward and strategically think about the future of the College. Members of the community are invited to attend a meeting with Owens President Steve Robinson, Ph.D. to share your thoughts on how we can continue to best serve our students and the members of our communities.
Community members are asked to RSVP to the meeting of their choice in order to get an accurate count for refreshments.
DATES/LOCATION:
Tuesday, Sept. 11 Toledo-Lucas County Public Library – Maumee Branch, 501 River Road
Wednesday, Sept. 12 Toledo-Lucas County Public Library – Waterville Branch, 800 Michigan Avenue
Monday, Sept. 17 Wood County District Public Library – 251 N. Main Street, Bowling Green
Monday, Sept. 24 Way Public Library – 101 E. Indiana Avenue, Perrysburg
Wednesday, Sept.26 Toledo-Lucas County Public Library – Reynolds Corners Branch, 4833 Dorr Street, Toledo.
Monday, Oct. 1 Toledo-Lucas County Public Library – Point Place Branch, 2727 117th Street
Wednesday, Oct.3 Fostoria Learning Center – 342 Perry Street, Fostoria
OWENS’ NURSING PROGRAM EARNS MAXIMUM AWARD BY THE ACCREDITATION COMMISSION FOR EDUCATION IN NURSING
Posted on August 21st, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, Aug. 21, 2018 – The Owens Community College registered nursing program has received the maximum award of eight-years’ accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and will have a scheduled site visit in the spring of 2026.
“This is an amazing accomplishment for our program and highlights the hard work of our faculty and staff,” said Cathy Ford, M.Ed., R.T., dean, School of Nursing and Health Professions. “Being awarded accreditation for the maximum eight-years emphasizes the high standards we set for the program and acknowledges our program as one of the best in northwest Ohio.”
Owens nursing students who have taken the National Council Licensing Exam for registered and practical nursing (NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN) have pass rates and placement rates among the highest in the country and routinely outperform the state and national average.
For example, during the second quarter of 2018, 145 students who took the NLCEX-RN passed on the first attempt, resulting in a pass rate of 96.67 percent and 2 students who took the NCLEX-PN passed on the first attempt, resulting in a pass rate of 100 percent. Both pass rates exceeding the national and state passage rates.
“The quality of nurses that come out of Owens can be seen in the students pass rates,” said Irene Jones, MSN, RN, chair, Nursing Department. “We have excellent students in our nursing program and we are extremely proud of their accomplishments.”
The ACEN is the national accreditation agency for all types of nursing education programs and is recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
For additional information about the College’s nursing programs, please call 567-661-2387 or 1-800-GO-OWENS, Ext. 2387 or visit www.owens.edu/sonhp.
OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESENTS ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC, SEPT. 17
Posted on July 24th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 24, 2018 – Area residents are invited to enjoy a day of golf and entertainment in support of alumni programs and scholarships as Owens Community College’s Alumni Association holds its sixteenth annual Golf Classic and Drone Golf Ball Drop presented by Hylant. The event will occur on Monday, September 17, 2018.
Organized by the Owens Alumni Association’s steering committee, the golf outing will be held at the historic Belmont Country Club in Perrysburg. The event will feature 18-holes of golf, lunch, cocktails/hors d’oeuvres and an awards program. The Golf Classic event sponsor is Hylant. In addition, Metzgers Printing & Mailing is the print sponsor, Toledo Aerial Media is the Drone Sponsor and Rudolph Libbe Group is the Drone Golf Ball Drop sponsor.
“Owens Community College’s Alumni Association is proud to continue the tradition of this popular outing that brings the community together with Owens to support our students,” said Bridget Shea, Owens Alumni Association executive director and event chair. “We are excited to hosts the second annual Drone Golf Ball Drop. This fun raffle gives non-golfers an opportunity to participate in the event and help students achieve their educational goals.”
Prior to the start of play a drone, operated by Toledo Aerial Media, will drop a load of numbered balls onto the practice green. The three balls closest to the pin or in the hole and the ball farthest from the pin win cash prizes.
First prize winner will receive $1000
Second prize winner will receive $500
Third prize winner will receive $250
Farthest from the pin will receive the cost of their ticket back ($20)
Only 400 golf balls will be sold via raffle tickets, $20 each, and can be purchased online at www.owens.edu/alumni/golf.
The four-person scramble golf competition will begin with a shotgun start at 1:10 p.m. Lunch will precede the golf from 11:15 a.m. – 12:45 p.m., followed by the Drone Golf Ball Drop at 12:45 p.m. The day will conclude with participants reminiscing about their golfing experience over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. A short program will occur at this time to recognize all prize winners.
Individuals, businesses and organizations are invited to support the Golf Classic by entering a team and/or becoming a sponsor. Among the various levels of support include the Eagle Sponsor ($1,000), Birdie Sponsor ($800), Cart Sponsor ($500) and Par Sponsor ($350).
The Belmont Country Club is located on Bates Road in Perrysburg. The tournament is limited to the first 32 foursome teams. For more information, or to register a team, contact the Owens Alumni Relations Office at (567) 661-7410 or www.owens.edu/alumni/classic.
OWENS FINDLAY- AREA CAMPUS EARLY LEARNING CENTER RECEIVES 5-STAR QUALITY RATING
Posted on July 24th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, July 23, 2018 – Owens Community College is pleased to announce that the Findlay-area Campus Early Learning Center has received a 5-star Step Up to Quality rating from Ohio Job and Family Services for the second time. Less than 15 percent of full-time childcare centers serving toddlers through preschool have received this distinction.
The maximum number of stars that can be earned is five and the award is given for a three-year period of time, the Findlay-area Campus Early Learning Center earned this distinction for the first time in 2015. They are the only full day program in the city of Findlay with this rating.
Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is a voluntary five–star quality rating system administered by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) that recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality benchmarks over and above minimum health and safety licensing standards. The steps are based on national research identifying the program standards that lead to improved outcomes for children.
At the 5-star program level, students benefit from:
Lower teacher/child ratios
Administrators and teachers have higher education qualifications
Administrators and teachers complete more than 20 hours of specialized training every two years
Teachers develop lesson plans that support each child’s growth
Assessments are completed to evaluate and improve the learning experience
Collaboration with families and community to provide more opportunities for children
NEXUS PARTNERS WITH OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO SUPPORT STUDENTS IN MANUFACTURING
Posted on June 27th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, June 27, 2018 – NEXUS Gas Transmission, LLC (NEXUS) donated $50,000 to the Owens Community College Foundation as a part of their ongoing effort to support students training for careers in technical trades.
The donation was used by Owens to purchase a new VF-2 CNC Mill. The new equipment will meet the training needs for students and workers in technical fields that train with simulators. The simulators allow for items to be created by students – giving them valuable experience – without incurring the cost of materials. The simulation program provides significant cost and time savings to the college while keeping tuition and fees affordable for Owens students.
“Technical workers in manufacturing fields continue to be in high demand, especially given the steady loss of workers due to baby boomers retiring and the low number of students going into these fields,” said Owens Foundation Executive Director Jennifer Fehnrich. “We are grateful for this donation and the ability to train future workers on equipment that is critical to the industrial, skilled and technical trades.”
The state-of-the-art CNC Mill has already been installed and is operational at the college’s lab facility. Owens is prepared to use the new machine to train both students and businesses. With the knowledge received through training, Owens hopes to address workforce shortages and contribute positively to community needs by supplying specialty parts using the CNC Mill.
“We value the role that Owens plays in educating and training the work force in the region,” said NEXUS Spokesman Adam Parker. “Our investment in Owens Community College is rooted in our commitment to help build a highly skilled employee base in communities where we work and operate. Not only do we support their education, but our project – both directly and indirectly – can provide jobs for many who receive technical training.”
626 GRADUATES PREPARE FOR OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPRING COMMENCEMENT
Posted on May 1st, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, May 1, 2018 – 626 candidates for graduation, including 58 from the Findlay-area Campus, will receive their degrees during the 52st annual Owens Community College Spring Commencement on Friday, May 4. The ceremony will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Health and Activities Center on the College’s Toledo-area Campus.
Owens’ commencement ceremony is free and open to the public. Owens is asking graduates to share their celebration photos and updates by including the hashtag #owensgrad in their social media posts.
Nick Komives, Owens alumnus and Toledo council member at large, will serve as the keynote speaker.
Komives, a native of northwest Ohio, attended high school in Genoa. He went on to work as a community organizer while attending Owens where he received an Associate Degree with Honors. He is the recipient of the Toledo 20 Under 40 Leadership Award in 2016, Equality Award from Equality Toledo in 2010, Champion of Equality from the Toledo City Paper in 2016, and several other awards and commendations by various civil rights organizations.
As a community organizer, Komives has fought for the rights of teachers, workers, women, LGBT people and other marginalized communities. He most recently served as Executive Director of Equality Toledo.
Under his leadership, Equality Toledo grew in membership by four-fold. The city’s Municipal Equality Index Score by the Human Rights Campaign increased each year while he worked with the city to improve the inclusion of LGBT people. Most recently, Komives stood at the forefront in passing the country’s most comprehensive ban on conversion therapy, which was unanimously approved by City Council in February 2017.
Komives was elected council member at large in November 2017 and began his service on January 2, 2018. Although he is new in his role, he has already passed several pieces of legislation and resolutions.
Kelsea Scott Briceno of Toledo, a physical therapist assistant major graduating with Suma Cum Laude honors, has been selected as the Owens class representative and will address the graduates during the ceremony.
Scott Briceno, 26, graduated in 2009 from Bowsher High School where she demonstrated determination, toughness and resilience as a teen overcoming the near loss of a leg in a freak accident and receiving an athletic scholarship to play volleyball at Indiana Institute of Technology, a NAIA school in Fort Wayne where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Recreational Therapy.
At age 12, the self-described Michael Jordan fan was playing basketball from a trampoline when a backflip trick shot ended with her leg hitting the rim, causing the trauma.
Doctors at the University of Toledo Medical Center originally considered amputating her leg, but Scott Briceno said her mother, Kelly Nova, begged doctors to consider other options. Doctors saved her leg by applying an external fixator system of pins, rods and clamps, which remained in place for six months. She was the first pediatric patient locally to receive the external pin system, which had a small percentage of succeeding. If it did work, the prognosis was that she would not walk again correctly, let alone play volleyball.
She began walking one year later. Another year after that, she was playing volleyball.
As part of the recovery process, she went through “hard core” physical therapy for 18 months. She said her work with physical therapists and PTAs led her to Owens for her chosen career.
“I realized I was lucky I got to play volleyball,” she said. “I started thinking, ‘Why did I get the opportunity?’ It was my physical therapy and my mom that really saved my career. So that’s what I wanted to do.
“I feel like I have a connection with my patients. I feel like I know what it feels like to have a diagnosis that could change your life. I can relate to my patients,” she said.
Scott Briceno impressed the faculty in the Department of Therapeutic Services.
“Kelsea is an outstanding student and leader,” said Tiffany Duran, Adjunct Faculty. “She exemplifies the pillars of Owens and academics.”
“Kelsea approaches all difficulties with a positive attitude and persists through negativity,” added Dr. Sara Burke, Instructor. “Her dedication to her education, profession and family are exemplary. She is a strong professional and represents the finest of the graduating PTA cohort.”
Scott Briceno met her husband, Reinaldo, while in college and he was playing baseball for Indiana Tech. The native of Venezuela briefly played minor league baseball. They have a son, Roman, 2.
Besides her mother, Scott Briceno said her father, Michael Nova, was one of the most significant influences in her life. He died unexpectedly the day after she learned she was nominated to be the Class Representative.
OWENS LANDSCAPE AND TURFGRASS CREW CLUB TO HOST ANNUAL SPRING PLANT SALE
Posted on April 26th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 26, 2018 – Area residents seeking to add some new life and color to their gardens and yards this spring are encouraged to attend the Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club’s annual Spring Plant Sale at Owens Community College on Wednesday, May 2 and Thursday, May 3.
The plant sale will be held from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. next to the greenhouse, which is near the entrance to the Owens Math/Science Center on the Toledo-area Campus. The sale will feature an assortment of potted herbs and annuals, as well as shrubs and rare, unusual trees. Owens is located on Oregon Road in Perrysburg Township.
According to Chris Foley, Owens Associate Professor of Science, the student organization is excited to once again offer individuals the opportunity to purchase select trees, shrubs and annuals at competitive prices for the upcoming spring planting season.
“The annual spring plant sale also provides our students with the unique opportunity to showcase their talents to the general public and the campus community. Annual plants are Proven Winner brand and will be in 4.5” pots, assorted hanging baskets, and a wide variety of combination planters filled with beautiful blooming plants,” added Foley. “The annuals were all grown by students in the Greenhouse Management classes in our greenhouse.” Prices for the annuals will vary, based on sizes, but will competitive.
Shrubs on hand will include eight different hydrangeas, hardy shrub roses, Fothergilla, lilacs, and many others. Shrubs will range in price from $18 to $25. Trees available will include natives as well as several rare and unusual ones. Including; sassafras, oaks, redbud, serviceberry and buckeye, Japanese maples, dogwoods, magnolias, and dawn redwood, and others. Tree prices will range from $20 to $80 The Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club will also sell perennials, including select hostas and daylilies. A complete listing of the available plants with their prices is available online at www.owens.edu/direct/plantsale.pdf.
All proceeds from the plant sale will help in supporting the organization’s participation in the annual NALP (National Association of Landscape Professionals) National Collegiate Landscape Competition, which is a national horticultural and landscape competition involving over 65 colleges and universities from across the country.
The College’s Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club was founded in 2005 with the mission of fostering stronger bonds among students majoring in the Landscape and Turfgrass Management program. Among the organization’s main initiatives is creating a network between alumni and current students to help in assisting individuals pursue careers within the Green Industry and its related horticulture industries. The group also hosts fundraisers to support club outreach activities in the surrounding communities.
For more information about the Owens Landscape and Turfgrass Crew Club plant sale, email Chris Foley at Christopher_foley@owens.edu.
OWENS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION HONORS LOCAL RESIDENTS WITH OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARDS
Posted on April 23rd, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 23, 2018 – Owens Community College’s Alumni Association has chosen seventeen area residents to receive the 15th annual Outstanding Service Awards for their tremendous contributions to Northwest Ohio’s communities. The recipients will be honored as part of a community celebration Friday, April 27 in the Audio Visual Classroom Center, rooms 121-128 on Owens Toledo-area Campus beginning at 8 a.m.
Award recipients are Todd Shelton, John Growden, Frank Reidy, Robert Sweeney, Bryan Bryant, Gary McClure, Brent Riley, Luke Cantu, Jeff Smith, Melvin Russell, Kevin Sanders, Jon Curtis, Ward Lemke, Shaun Conklin, Benjamin Cousino, Andre Williams and Kyle Blausey.
This year’s awards are presented within the categories of Outstanding Police, Firefighter and Service to the Community. Selection criterion is based upon a nomination process for candidates demonstrating exceptional service related to dedication, ingenuity, bravery, special skills and/or community service over a sustained period of time. The awards are not limited to a single recipient and can be a group honor where teamwork was a key element.
The recipients of the Outstanding Police Award are Sergeant Todd Shelton and Officer John Growden (Holland Police Department), Deputy Sheriff Frank Reidy and Deputy Sheriff Robert Sweeney (Lucas County Sheriff’s Office), Sergeant Bryan Bryant, Office Gary McClure, Officer Brent Riley (Tiffin Police Department), Deputy Sheriff Luke Cantu, Deputy Sheriff Jeff Smith (Seneca County Sheriff’s Office), Officer Melvin Russell and Officer Kevin Sanders, Officer Jon Curtis Sergeant Ward Lemke, Officer Shaun Conklin and Officer Benjamin Cousino (Toledo Police Department).
The recipients of the Outstanding Firefighter and the Outstanding Service to the Community Award are Private Andre Williams (Toledo Fire & Rescue Department) and Firefighter/Medic Kyle Blausey (Fostoria Fire Division) respectively.
The Owens Community College Alumni Association recognizes the tremendous contribution that police, fire and emergency medical professionals make to our communities. Their selfless acts of courage make our lives safer. We honor those whose actions went above and beyond the high standards of their profession, often serving in conjunction with other public safety departments to help those in need. The Alumni Association is privileged to sponsor the Outstanding Service Awards Celebration.
For more information about Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.
OWENS TO HOST EIGHTH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM AND MEDALLION CEREMONY
Posted on April 19th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 19, 2018 – Owens Community College honors and service learning students will have the opportunity to showcase their research and creative works in multiple disciplines during the eighth annual Symposium and Medallion Ceremony on Friday, April 20, 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in Heritage Hall, Room 123 on the Toledo-area Campus.
The symposium is the pinnacle of academic work for scholars from the Honors and Service Learning programs. Their formal presentations showcase the student learning outcomes in the areas of critical thinking, articulate communication, ethical thinking and community service and leadership.
Owens’ Honors Program encourages students to initiate, create, and think critically in a wide variety of challenging courses across departments and programs in the College. Honors courses and individualized studies are designed to foster intellectual inquiry and growth by providing a dynamic environment that inspires rewarding intellectual pursuits. The program also facilitates student access to the College’s educational resources and provides an opportunity for outstanding students and faculty to engage in exciting learning experiences.
To be considered for admission into the selective program, a currently enrolled student must have a minimum 3.2 grade point average (GPA) with 12 credits completed at Owens. A new student must have achieved a high school GPA of 3.2 or be enrolled as a post-secondary enrollment option student.
Service Scholars are committed to community service that is relevant to their academic program or course of study. Students in the Service Scholar program receive exposure to community engagement initiatives through designated service activities, service learning courses and selected on-campus events. These scholars have completed at least 40 hours of community service as part of their academic experience at Owens and have expressed a commitment to community engagement as a part of their personal and professional path.
For more information about Owens Community College, please visit www.owens.edu.
OWENS COMMUNITY COLLEGE FINDLAY-AREA CAMPUS CERTIFIED “BEE CAMPUS USA” AFFILIATE
Posted on April 17th, 2018
PERRYSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio, April 17, 2018 – TheOwens Community College and Bee Campus USA announced that the Findlay-area campus is the 36th educational institution in the nation to be certified as an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program and the first in the state of Ohio.
The Bee Campus USA program fosters ongoing dialogue to raise awareness of the role pollinators play in our communities and what each of us can do to provide them with healthy habitat. As a certified “Bee Campus USA,” Owens will be required to commit to pollinator-friendly practices on campus such as planting native plants and pollinator-friendly habitats and conduct educational outreach to the local community.
With generous financial support from the Owens Faculty Association, the campus will be adding five beehives to its community garden, with delivery of the hives taking place later this month.
“Imperiled pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of ninety percent of the world’s wild plant and tree species,” Said Bee Campus USA director, Phyllis Stiles. “Owens Community College is a stellar example of the influence educational institutions can have on their students and the broader community. Their talented faculty, staff and students offer an invaluable resource for Findlay-area residents in seeking ways to manage ornamental landscapes in more wildlife-friendly ways.”
College students, faculty, administrators, and staff have been among the nation’s most stalwart champions for sustainable environmental practices and Owens is proud to carry on that tradition.
“We are excited about the educational opportunities and service learning for students and the local community,” said Robert Connour II, professor of biology at Owens. “Faculty, staff and students have been working together to study and create pollinator habitats with native plants in preparation for the arrival of our beehives.”
According to Stiles, certified campuses must reapply each year and report on accomplishments from the previous year.
For more information on Owens, please visit www.owens.edu.
A screen capture of the new Owens homepage, which includes improved accessibility and an engaging user-friendly experience.
The Program Finder will help students narrow down the search for their preferred area of study among Owens many degrees and certificates.
Accepting the grant for Owens Community College were (from left) Early Learning Center Manager Liz Kutschbach, Development Officer Danielle Davis, Institutional Advancement Vice President and Foundation Executive Director Kelle Pack, Business Operations Director David Wahr, Early Learning Center Toddler Teacher Cheryl Busdeker and President Dr. Dione D. Somerville
The University of Toledo and Owens Community College renewed a partnership that creates a seamless pathway for students to earn a bachelor’s degree from UToledo after starting at Owens.
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.
The Owens Community College Department of Public Safety (DPS), led by Chief Steven M. Harrison, has been recognized by the Ohio Collaborative Community-Police Advisory Board. Created to hold agencies to high standards, accountability and instill a greater confidence with the public, the Ohio Collaborative certified or recertified the College’s department in these three categories: 
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. 
