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Fall 2020 Volume 8 Issue 4
INSIDE: > Beam Signing Event Marks Milestone for Rhodes State College > Marion Technical College Receives $477,868 in First National Science Foundation Grant > Sinclair Program Helps Students Get Jobs at Tesla > Clark State Community College Selected for FAA Training Program > New Partnership Connects UA Students with Employers for ‘Micro-internships’ > UC, Great Oaks Partner to Expand Access to Early IT Program > Malone University and Stark State Partner to Prepare Students for Careers
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Photo: Kent State University at Trumbull
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A Message from Chancellor Randy Gardner While the brilliant foliage on many college campuses is a sure sign of fall, a host of other autumn traditions have been changed, canceled, or otherwise impacted in 2020. From student orientation and homecoming to class locations and football games, life during a pandemic is different. In a variety of fields and industries, however, colleges and universities, career technical centers, and adult learning programs are finding innovative and creative ways to prepare Ohioans for the next step in their education and career. This issue of ConnectED highlights some of these exciting developments, which are listed below. This issue also spotlights a new partnership at Great Oaks Career Center that’s creating a pathway for skilled nontraditional students to study IT and cybersecurity at the University of Cincinnati. And a new articulation agreement between Malone University and Stark State College means students seeking careers in accounting, business, and social work have more options to get the degree they need. By aligning higher education to the world of business and industry, these partnerships and programs are laying the groundwork for a stronger Ohio, helping us all – even during an unusual 2020 – to stay ConnectED.
Beam Signing Event Marks Milestone for Rhodes State College
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State and local leaders gather at the new Center for Health Science Education and Innovation in downtown Lima.
Marion Technical College Receives $477,868 in First NSF Grant
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The National Science Foundation grant will be used to create a new Smart Manufacturing program.
Sinclair Program Helps Students Get Jobs at Tesla
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The training program is one of eight in the United States.
Clark State Community College Selected for FAA Training Program
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The program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers in unmanned aircraft systems.
New Partnership Connects UA Students with Employers For ‘Micro-internships’ The partnership provides options for students whose internships/co-ops didn’t occur due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
UC, Great Oaks Partner to Expand Access to Early IT Program The partnership creates a pathway for skilled nontraditional students to study IT and cybersecurity at UC.
Malone University, Stark State Partner to Prepare Students for Careers The new articulation agreement will ease the transfer process and promote closer coordination.
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BEAM SIGNING EVENT
FOR RHODES STATE COLLEGE’S CENTER FOR HEA NEW CENTER TO BE NAMED THE BORRA CENTER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES
As summer turned to fall, two events marked the ongoing progress of an exciting project in downtown Lima. In late August, a milestone was etched in steel as Chancellor Randy Gardner joined other state and Rhodes State College leaders for a “Top Off” signing ceremony at the new Center for Health Science Education and Innovation (CHSEI) in downtown Lima. And in September, the Rhodes State Board of Trustees approved the naming of the new facility as the Borra Center for Health Sciences. FALL 2020
Joining the Chancellor at the August event were Rhodes State President Dr. Cynthia E. Spiers; Ohio Senator Matt Huffman; College Board Chair Jane Krites; Past College Board Chair Dr. Wilfred Ellis; and Foundation Board Chair Matt Jennings. Together, they marked history for Rhodes State and the region as they signed their names to a steel beam that will be placed to “top off” the project. Chancellor Gardner, Senator Huffman, and
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T MARKS MILESTONE
ALTH SCIENCE EDUCATION AND INNOVATIONS [LINK] President Spiers offered remarks prior to the signing in the Crouse Performance Hall Lobby of Veterans’ Memorial Civic and Convention Center. The final beam — bearing the signatures — will be placed atop the building to commemorate this phase of the project. “These kinds of projects just move Ohio forward. They enhance Ohio’s ability to compete, versus other states, to keep talent in Ohio,” Chancellor Gardner said. “So, I’m excited. I’m excited for Lima, for Rhodes State, and for the state of Ohio.” When the facility name was approved by the board in September, President Spiers cited the Borras’ generosity and support. “On behalf of Rhodes State College, its students, faculty, and staff, I thank Pier C. Borra and Renee A. Borra for their extreme generosity in advancing our vision for regional health care education,” she said. “The Borra Family Foundation has been a beacon in our scholarship program since 2005, having helped 86 students achieve their dreams of a career in health care. Their generous support for this new facility and the Borra Family Foundation Nursing Pathway Scholarship establishes a meaningful, forward-thinking partnership for many years to come.”
“It is indeed a pleasure to work with Dr. Cynthia Spiers and her highly capable team in leading Rhodes State College into the future of health care education, and we are honored to have our name associated with the new Health Sciences Center,” Pier Borra said. “Renee and I also want to recognize the support of the Lima community during the 37 years that we lived here. We moved to Lima in 1972 and here we started Arbor Health Care, a nursing home company, and CORA Health Service, a rehabilitation business. Our corporate offices were based in Lima and staffed almost entirely by people from the community.” On schedule to be completed in June 2021, the 50,000-square-foot Borra Center for Health Sciences will be home to five of Rhodes State’s Health Science programs: nursing, physical therapist assistant, occupational therapy assistant, emergency medical services, and respiratory care. It will include cutting-edge technology and equipment, as well as highend simulation suites to support an advanced paradigm of teaching and learning for students seeking health care careers. The technology and learning approach also promotes interdisciplinary education and the ability to connect with other health-serving organizations, along with vast training opportunities for area incumbent health care professionals. FALL 2020
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Marion Technical College Receives $477,868 BY WENDY WEICHENTHAL [LINK] The National Science Foundation awarded Marion Technical College a $477,868 grant to create a new Smart Manufacturing program. In response to local employers, educational partners, and community leaders, this new program will help graduates find in-demand jobs with the skills to manage new technology. “We are excited to have our first grant from the National Science Foundation. This will help our students and our community stay competitive,� said Dr. Ryan McCall, president of Marion Tech. Smart Manufacturing is a groundbreaking technology trend that uses networks of advanced sensors, data analysis, information technology, and communications technology to increase manufacturing automation and improve performance. There is an urgent need for workers with the skills and knowledge in this new field. The new grant will fund $170,870 in new equipment, new classes, a new associate degree, and two new certificates. The grant will also include professional development opportunities for college instructors and local high school teachers interested in teaching
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8 in First National Science Foundation Grant engineering, said Dr. Elizabeth Azhikannickal, interim director of engineering technologies at Marion Tech. Students in the new Associate of Applied Science degree in Smart Manufacturing will complete an industry-driven capstone project that will allow them to use their knowledge in real-world situations. Local industry partners supporting this grant include Festo, POET Bio-refining, OhioHealth, RobotWorx, Custom Glass, Liqui-Box, Wilson Bohannon Lock Company, and Whirlpool. Educational and community partners include Marion City Schools, Marion CANDO!, Mt. Gilead High School, North Union High School, and Riverdale Local Schools.
themselves at the forefront of this new field,” Dr. Azhikannickal said. “Industry is constantly changing, and our students will have the advanced manufacturing automation experience that employers need.” Marion Tech will offer the first pilot courses in the Smart Manufacturing degree in January 2021. The degree will be available as a major in fall 2021. The new program will train technologists in the use of advanced sensors, data analytics, and cyber security principles to streamline manufacturing processes. “Marion is the nation’s workforce development capital. It is exciting to see this new program helping local students get great jobs and meet the demands of local employers. I’m excited for this opportunity that benefits our community,” said Gus Comstock, Director of Marion CANDO!
MTC President Ryan McCall
“It is exciting to help our students position
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SINCLAIR PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS GET JOBS AT TESLA Training program is one of eight in the United States BY CORNELIUS FROLIK [LINK] The largest electric automaker in the world has teamed up with Sinclair Community College to offer a job training program that prepares graduates to work for the company. Sinclair College is just one of eight schools in the nation that offers Tesla START, which is a 12-week “accelerated” program that provides students with the skills they need to become electric vehicle technicians. Students who successfully complete the program get a chance to work at one of Tesla’s service centers around the country. A special ceremony will be held today for the Sinclair program’s first class of graduates. Electric car sales are increasing around the nation and Ohio, according to state data, and industry experts say electric car technicians are increasingly high demand. “Individuals who come out of this have job opportunities at Tesla North America service centers,” said Justin Morgan, chair of automotive technology at Sinclair College. “Right now, all of the graduating students in this class have jobs.” Tesla has partnered with Sinclair and colleges in Los Angeles, Miami, Seattle, San Jose, Charlotte, Waco (Texas) and Selden (New York) to offer the START program, which trains students to work for the California-based electric vehicle and clean energy company. FALL 2020
Telsa is a giant in the electric vehicle industry. The company outsells the three next-largest electric automakers combined. The START program offers a “blended approach” that includes in-class theory, hands-on lab work, and self-paced learning, the company says.
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Sinclair’s START students began their training back in May, and they recently graduated during a special ceremony. The graduates come from inside Ohio and as far away as Canada. All have received job offers from Tesla, with some getting opportunities inside the Buckeye State, while others expect to work at facilities in California. Spots in the program are competitive because graduates get employment opportunities. A second class that is already at capacity began in late September. Sinclair’s START program will have classes in the fall, spring, and summer, with each accepting about a dozen students. Justin Morgan, chair of automotive technology at Sinclair, noted that the school already had a relationship with Tesla from when the company was a small partner on a grant to do some training around advanced driver-assist systems and electric vehicles. Many electric vehicle technician students already have automotive training or experience working in a repair shops, but Tesla’s vehicles require knowledge of specific procedures and technology, Morgan said. Sinclair students in its automotive programs get to work on a fleet of vehicles that include a Tesla. Knowledge of electric vehicle technology is expected to be increasingly important in the days and years to come. “I don’t think we’re going to have the internal combustion engine going away in like the next two to three years, but certainly the market from
hybrid to electric vehicles continues to grow and so that technology will need to be taught in programs like ours,” Morgan said. A growing number of Ohioans are buying electric vehicles. In the first two months of 2020, more than 1,344 all-electric Tesla vehicles were registered in the state of Ohio, according to data from the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. These included 85 registrations in Warren County, 55 in Montgomery County, 51 in Butler County, 31 in Greene County, and four in Miami County. Rob Strong, the owner of Canal Street Arcade and Deli in Dayton, purchased his Tesla Model 3 about a year ago. He said the fully electric car is a remarkable and complex driving machine. The entire car is controlled by a large touchscreen tablet that serves as far more than just a dashboard. Strong can open his glove box with a voice command, and the car is semi-autonomous, meaning it can steer and drive itself. Strong’s vehicle had an issue with a camera on the driver’s side, and Tesla sent a technician to Dayton to make repairs. Strong agreed that the car is so high-tech that repairing it will require a specialized skill set. The technology is great, but Strong’s favorite thing about his car is its acceleration and speed. “Man, it’s just so fast,” he said. FALL 2020
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Clark State Community College Selected for FAA Training Program, Int Clark State Community College has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems-Collegiate Training Initiative Program, or the UAS-CTI. “Clark State is excited to be officially recognized as a partner with the FAA under the UAS-CTI program,” said Dr. Aimee BelangerHaas, dean of business and applied technologies for Clark State. “Having this designation recognizes the quality of our program in preparing students for opportunities and careers in the UAS/ drone field.” The FAA’s UAS-CTI program recognizes institutions that prepare students for careers in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones. In order to qualify for the initiative, schools must offer a bachelor’s or associate degree in UAS or a degree with a minor, concentration, or certificate in UAS. Schools must provide curriculum covering various aspects of UAS training, including hands-on flight practice, maintenance, uses, applications, privacy concerns, safety, and federal policies concerning UAS.
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“The Clark State Geospatial program started in 2010 has continued to evolve and innovate relative to our local workforce needs,” said Belanger-Haas. “Our students are prepared to work in various fields, including but not limited to the defense industry, urban planning, engineering, municipal management, business, and environmental studies. Having this new UAS certificate only enhances our graduates’ capabilities and increases their marketability.” Dr. Adam John Parrillo, associate professor and GIS/ Geospatial program coordinator at Clark State, said the FAA has introduced a new way to coordinate communication between educational institutions that has endeavored to educate and train UAS professionals. “This network will assist institutions to share experiences and hone their programs with best practices as the commercial industry continues to develop," he said. In addition to the partnership with the FAA, Clark State has also introduced a UAS Operations and GIS Image Analysis certificate that is designed to provide the technical background necessary to
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troduces New UAS Operations and GIS Image Analysis Certificate [LINK] begin a successful career in UAS operations and data handling. UAS and GIS have been identified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor as high-growth industries. This certificate is designed for those students who seek to enhance their job-related skills in becoming a UAS operator with the ability to manage and analyze data products. This certificate is one year in length in order to develop foundational skills and knowledge necessary for the workforce. "There's been much interest in the commercial drone marketplace, from larger global companies like Amazon to small startups looking to serve local demand,” said Parrillo. “Added to this, government agencies at many levels are looking to facilitate the growth of this multi-billion-dollar industry." Students enrolled in the UAS Operations and GIS Image Analysis certificate program may already
have an associate or bachelor’s degree; however, this program is also an entryway for more traditional college-age students. Coursework included in a certificate program may ultimately be applied for the associate degree in GIS/ Geospatial Technology. “While piloting drones is a dynamic profession, the data collected is the pivotal outcome,” said Parrillo. “With our first UAS certificate, we want to foster the development of professionals that straddle these activities.” An additional eight-week section of Introduction to UAS at Clark State started October 19 so students can begin working toward the new certificate. Since it is a topical lecture class, it can be taken fully online. The UAS Operations and GIS Image Analysis certificate program is available at the Clark State Springfield and Beavercreek locations.
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New partnership connects UA students with employers for ‘micro-internships’ [LINK] An exciting partnership provides new options for University of Akron (UA) students whose internships or co-operative placements didn’t occur or were cut short this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UA’s Office of Career Services has partnered with Parker Dewey, a Chicago-based consulting firm that connects college students to a network of employers, offering students the opportunity to participate in microinternships. Micro-internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. Projects, usually completed virtually, can take anywhere from five to 40 hours to complete and participants will likely work with the company for less than a month.
for micro-experiential opportunities,” said Laura Carey, director of UA Career Services. “We’ve been seeking a partnership like this since the pandemic started because we’ve become aware that students are interested in short-term projects to experience a variety of careers and work environments. Employers can hire students who complete these projects for full- or part-time jobs, internships, or co-ops. This was a perfect opportunity.”
Students can create profiles and apply for available micro-internships through UA’s Parker Dewey landing page. Employers will post a handful of skills questions Laura Carey, UA Career Services for students to answer and then select students based on their qualifying responses. Students are paid for their work through Parker Dewey.
UA students or alumni who graduated in the past year can complete as many micro-internships as their schedules allow. Most projects will not qualify for academic credit, but students can work with faculty members to arrange for any credit that might be available. “Many higher education institutions across the country are taking advantage of this platform
“This partnership is a great way to help students fill the gaps in experiential learning,” Carey said. “Micro-internships can help students earn income, expand their skills, and build their resume. Either way, Parker Dewey provides a variety of opportunities for students to experience and sharpen their skills in different job environments.”
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UC, Great Oaks partner to expand
Partnership creates pathway for skilled nontraditiona
BY MATT KOESTERS Pursuit of a traditional high school diploma just isn’t for everyone, but pursuit of a four-year college degree can also seem daunting for some students at high school alternatives. That’s no longer true at Great Oaks Career Campuses, one of the largest career-technical school districts in the United States. Great Oaks, which has four campuses providing career training for more than 23,000 youth and 18,000 adults from 36 Ohio school districts, now offers its students a direct pathway to bachelor’s and master’s degree programs at the University of Cincinnati (UC). Officials with Great Oaks and UC recently announced that Great Oaks students are now able to take college-level classes in information technology and cybersecurity through the UC School of Information Technology’s Early IT Program. “We need to graduate work-ready leaders at every level, from high schools to community colleges, to universities and professional schools, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with our Early IT Program and our partnership with Great Oaks,” UC Provost Kristi Nelson said during
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a virtual summit to announce the news. “Together, we are creating opportunities for current and future students, a pathway for them to learn, to grow, to innovate, and to bravely push the limits of what is possible.” The Early IT Program enables Great Oaks students who complete six college-level IT classes and three academic courses to earn automatic admission to UC as sophomore IT or cybersecurity majors, and they are immediately eligible to pursue coop placement. “The students will transition seamlessly from Great Oaks to UC through the automatic, guaranteed admission program to be a second-year IT or cybersecurity student at UC,” Hazem Said, director of UC SoIT, said. “And in the four years that follow, they’ll complete their undergraduate degree, five semesters of paid co-op and one of five master’s degrees if they so choose.” The partnership also expands access to the UC-based Ohio Cyber Range to Great Oaks students and faculty, providing them with software, virtual networks and resources to assist in the completion of the Early IT Program, as well as other IT-related programs offered through Great Oaks.
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d access to Early IT program
[LINK]
al students to study IT and cybersecurity at UC
“We see this as an opportunity for high school students to explore these different ideas and curriculum, and then be funneled into the IT program at UC,” said Harry Snyder, Great Oaks president and CEO. “We’re extremely excited about it. We’re glad for the partnership.” The partnership has personal significance for Snyder, as well; he, his wife, and three adult children all claim UC as their alma mater. Great Oaks is the latest school system — and by far the largest — to partner with UC to offer its students access to the Early IT Program. More than 1,600 students at partner institutions across the state are already pursuing UC cybersecurity and IT degrees through the Early IT Program. By partnering with UC’s SoIT, Great Oaks joins the company of 30 public and four private high schools offering students the opportunity to take part in the Early IT Program. First established in 2017, the rapidly growing and innovative Early IT Program aligns with UC’s strategic direction, Next Lives Here, and advances the mission of the Cincinnati Innovation District, established at UC by Governor Mike DeWine in March 2020. FALL 2020
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Malone University and Stark State partner to prepare students for careers in accounting, business, and social work [LINK]
In a continued effort to provide access to higher education for the citizens of Stark County, Malone University and Stark State College have formed a new institutional articulation agreement to ease the transfer process and promote the closer coordination of academic courses, programs, and degrees offered by both institutions. This agreement, for a four-year social work program with a 2+2 format and 3+1 format for both accounting and business, stems from a shared desire to strengthen the social fabric of and fuel the economic engine for Stark County while readying graduates for leadership in their profession and community. “While Stark State and Malone have different missions, we share common core values which provide fertile ground for this agreement,” said David King, president of Malone. “Now more than ever before, we believe it is critical on the part of both institutions to provide student support that will encourage vibrant young graduates to choose Stark County as home after graduation. In leveraging the strengths of Malone and Stark State and constantly evaluating market demands, we can work together to provide momentum for the next generation of Canton-area professionals.” “We are delighted to expand our partnership with Malone University to provide valuable opportunities for current and future students to complete four-year degrees in accounting, business, and social work,” said Para M. Jones, president of Stark State College. “By offering FALL 2020
students both 2+2 and 3+1 options, Malone and Stark State are giving students high-quality education at an affordable cost. This benefits students, employers, and the community.” The agreement enhances both institutions’ abilities to equip new groups of students to complete two- and four-year degrees within Stark County rather than look outside the region to meet their educational needs. “In our current academic climate, institutions of higher learning must continue to identify ways to partner together to establish new models for delivering our educational outcomes and serve the region,” said Greg Miller, provost of Malone. “This is not the first agreement between Malone and Stark State, but a new version that adapts to current student needs and market needs. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome students who complete their associate degrees at Stark State as they transition to Malone to complete a bachelor’s degree.” The newest iteration of the agreement opens pathways to students who are interested in social work, accounting, and business. “These new, seamless avenues to a bachelor’s degree are an ideal response to the needs of local businesses for trained professionals and the needs of area students for solid careers in our community,” said Lada Gibson-Shreve, Stark State’s provost and chief academic officer. “We are privileged to work with Malone to help build the future for our students and Stark County for generations to come.”
Photo: Ohio University 17
A special thank you to all of those who contributed stories and articles: Beam Signing Event Marks Milestone for Rhodes State College Paula Siebeneck | Director, Marketing and Public Relations, Rhodes State College
Marion Technical College Receives $477,868 in First National Science Foundation Grant Cornelius Frolik | Reporter for Cox Media Group Ohio
Sinclair Program Helps Students Get Jobs at Tesla Wendy Weichenthal | Public Relations Specialist, Marion Technical College
Clark State Community College Selected for FAA Training Program Robyn Steinmetz | Director, Marketing and Communications, Stark State College
New Partnership Connects UA Students with Employers for ‘Micro-internships’ Matt Koesters | Public Information Officer, University of Cincinnati
UC, Great Oaks Partner to Expand Access to Early IT Program Alex Knisely | Media Relations Specialist, The University of Akron
Malone University and Stark State Partner to Prepare Students for Careers Laurie Means | Executive Director, Marketing, Clark State Community College
Thanks for reading ConnectED. If you have any story suggestions, links to articles of interest, or news releases to share, feel free to send them to Jeff Robinson at jrobinson@highered.ohio.gov.
