ConnectED | Winter 2023

A WORLD LEADER IN POLYMERS

THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON’S COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND POLYMER SCIENCE

Winter 2023

Volume 11

Issue 1

INSIDE:

> Ohio University’s Patton College of Education online certificate in mixed methods research

> Delaware Area Career Center students enthusiastic for new after-school program

> Farrier Science launches new entrepreneurial venture at Hocking College

> Bluffton Bread Company students gain small business experience

Photo: The Ohio State University

A Message from Chancellor Randy Gardner

As I write this, students are beginning a new semester at Ohio’s colleges and universities and the DeWine-Husted Administration is beginning a new term in office. Governor DeWine shared his priorities for his second term during his recent State of the State address, and many of them focus on the themes you’ll find in each issue of ConnectED.

Governor DeWine announced historic investments in student financial aid programs and a new Governor’s Merit Scholarship. He also stressed the importance of our career and technical centers, proposing funding for capital improvements and equipment for career tech education. In this edition, you’ll read about the enthusiasm for a new program at the Delaware Area Career Center.

The Governor also talked about making college more affordable by providing need-based financial aid for those enrolling at community colleges or regional campuses. This issue spotlights some of the programs those students might pursue once enrolled, including a farrier science program at Hocking College.

You’ll also read about the University of Akron’s world-renowned polymer science program, an online opportunity through Ohio University’s Patton College of Education, and a unique business partnership at Bluffton University.

From the Statehouse to the classroom to the workplace, Ohio is always working to make sure students and employers stay ConnectED.

IN THIS ISSUE

A World Leader in Polymers

The University of Akron’s College of Engineering and Polymer Science

Ohio University’s Patton College of Education online certificate in mixed methods research

Provides opportunities for the inclusion of a variety of theoretical perspectives into the process of research

Delaware Area Career Center students enthusiastic for new after-school program

New after-school classes are a hit, according to DACC staff and students

Farrier Science launches new entrepreneurial venture at Hocking College

Hocking offers one of the few programs in the United States and is the only program in Ohio for Farrier Science and Business

Bluffton Bread Company students gain small business experience

: 4 6 8 10 12

Bluffton University students are gaining hands-on learning experiences through the Bluffton Bread Company

OHIO RATES FIRST IN PLASTICS INDUSTRY EMPLOYMENT, UA STUDENTS BENEFIT

Last year was a banner year for recognition of Ohio’s plastics industry, shining a bright light on the future of students involved with The University of Akron’s (UA) polymer science and polymer engineering academic program.

The Plastic Industry Association’s 2022 Size and Impact study broke down the story of the U.S. plastic industry in numbers - and how important Ohio is in its success. The data in the study also showed that the U.S. plastics industry remains one of the U.S. economy’s largest and strongest sectors and continued to grow in 2021, employing 808,500 people and making shipments worth $401 billion, and that Ohio had the most plastics industry

employees of any other state in 2021, with an overall 75,100 workers in the industry. The plastics industry also is expected to continue to grow in 2023.

“We are delighted to hear that Akron’s programs are educating the next generation of students to contribute to the largest plastics workforce in the country. We hear so much about brain drain, and this data quantifies the importance of the industry to Ohio and its role in retaining talent in our state,” said Steve Millard, president and CEO of the Greater Akron Chamber. “It is reassuring to know that UA’s polymer graduates have the opportunity to drive the economy, both locally and nationally.”

A world leader in polymers, UA’s College of Engineering and Polymer Science offers cuttingedge certificate and degree programs for students and professionals, and educational outreach programs for K-12 students and teachers.

In April, UA became the first public university in Ohio to offer an undergraduate degree in polymer science and polymer engineering, providing more students from around the world with skills as polymer scientists and engineers. This is in addition to the world renowned graduate-level programs offered.

of the most innovative and renowned faculty in the world. In September 2022, the National Academy of Inventors and Intellectual Property Owners Association issued a report on top-ranked U.S. and international universities receiving the highest issuance of U.S. utility patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in 2021. UA has been ranked in the top 100 every year since 2017. The College of Engineering and Polymer Science faculty represent one of the largest concentrations of polymer expertise in the U.S., having invented 300 active U.S. patents and patent applications, including some that have been commercialized worldwide.

Students also have hands-on research with faculty and co-op opportunities with businesses in the Akron community and Northeast Ohio region, which is a national hub for the polymer and plastics industry.

Early in 2022, the website edurank.com rated UA’s polymer science and plastics engineering program No. 1 in the world.

“Students at UA receive a top-rated education in the field of polymer science and polymer engineering, and they can apply this knowledge to the largest polymer workforce in America, entering an industry whose employment is growing faster than manufacturing as a whole,” said Craig Menzemer, dean of the UA College of Engineering and Polymer Science. “It's an honor to be able to teach UA students, knowing they can continue to work right here in Ohio.”

UA students in polymer science and polymer engineering have opportunities to learn from some

The experiences students have through the university prepare them as graduates to enter this large and thriving workforce in the state in which they study and in which many UA students grew up. This allows them to pursue their professional careers in the largest workforce of its kind while staying close to personal support systems and potential additional degree programs in one of the lowest cost-of-living states in the nation.

“Today’s polymer science and polymer engineering students can obtain some of the best career opportunities in the country,” said Menzemer. “With the growth of the plastics industry, students entering the workforce have a very bright future ahead of them.”

“Today’s polymer science and polymer engineering students can obtain some of the best career opportunities in the country.”

Ohio University’s Patton College of Education online certificate in MIXED METHODS RESEARCH

Ohio University’s Patton College of Education recently launched the state of Ohio’s only online certificate in mixed methods research. Applications are already being accepted for this fully online certificate designed to equip the use of mixed methods of research in practical applications.

Mixed methods research refers to the systematic integration of quantitative and qualitative approaches to research to answer multifaceted questions. The comprehensive discipline provides opportunities for the inclusion of a variety of theoretical perspectives into the process of research. It equips its students to incorporate mixed methods research into grant proposals and to deliver insight into complex real-world problems.

Dr. Yuchun Zhou is the certificate’s program coordinator. “Mixed methods is widely used in diverse disciplines, such as health sciences, business, social sciences, etc.” she said. “This new certificate will help working professionals who are interested in applying mixed methods in practice to solve complex problems.”

Interested individuals need to have essential knowledge in quantitative and qualitative research prior to application. The certificate program will not introduce the two research methods but focuses solely on how to integrate quantitative and qualitative methods and data.

New students may begin during fall semester. For more information or to apply, visit https://www.ohio.edu/education/mixed-methods.

The fully accredited Gladys W. and David H. Patton College of Education at Ohio University has a long and rich history dating back to May 11, 1886. Based in Athens, Ohio, the college offers online and traditional degrees, certificates, and endorsements that empower you to advance personally and professionally. The Patton College of Education strives to be an equitable, effective, and interactive learning community that makes a difference to education and human development through excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. Learn more at ohio.edu/education.

DELAWARE AREA CAREER CENTER STUDENTS ENTHUSIASTIC FOR NEW AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

PAUL COMSTOCK | THISWEEK | USA TODAY NETWORK

The Delaware Area Career Center's new after-school classes are a hit, according to DACC staff and students.

The program, called Flexible Learning Options, was created because DACC's facility – remodeled and expanded in 2019 – reached its building capacity of 1,200 students sooner than expected, according to DACC staff.

The building's capacity was expected to be able to handle future growth when it was designed, said Tammy Hall, DACC director of student secondary operations.

Compared to traditional public schools, making accurate enrollment predictions at a career center is not so simple, said Alicia Mowry, DACC director of public information.

TECHNICAL SCHOOLS' CHALLENGES IN PREDICTING ENROLLMENT, STUDENT INTEREST

Traditional public schools enroll all students – except for those in private schools and some who are homeschooled – in their district boundaries, and such factors as planned residential developments help make enrollment predictions fairly accurate, she said.

"When you look at a career center, there are so many factors around what's the perception of career-tech education, what are the career and job opportunities, who's talking about career techs,” she said. “The interest has expanded so much."

School districts that work with DACC are Big Walnut Local Schools, Buckey Valley Local Schools, Delaware City Schools, Olentangy Schools, Westerville City Schools and Worthington Schools. The Ohio School for the Deaf also works with DACC.

DACC high school director David Gilliam said interest in careercenter programs seems to be growing among students.

"I think there's really been a paradigm shift from the focus on college, college, college," he said. "Now the focus is on – we

call it – 'Your next E.' Is it going to be enrollment, enlistment, or employment? Ultimately, your focus should be employment. So then what do you need to get to that step instead of going straight to college?"

DACC USING CURRENT SPACE INSTEAD OF SPENDING MONEY ON ADDITIONS

Mowry said the after-school program is a fiscally responsible move for DACC and utilizes current space and equipment.

"We didn't immediately jump to 'add more space to the building, build on a new lot, buy land,'" she said. "It was, 'Here's this window of time in our building we have available. Let's use the space that's already free and give the second opportunity to some students.’"

The flexible-option program is limited to high school seniors, who participate for one year, Mowry said.

This year's program has 40 students, each attending one of three courses – application-development programming technician, health care technician, and nail technician.

DACC has plans for the program's future, Hall said.

"I think we're going to be able to expand it," she said. "We're looking at next year adding a digital design (program) and kind of re-looking at how we would do the building maintenance to offer more students opportunities."

STUDENTS APPRECIATE OPPORTUNITIES WITH

DACC'S AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

Nail-tech instructor Jillian Bartolucci said her students love the after-school program.

"They usually go to school in the morning; then they have a little bit of a break,” she said. “Then they come here. So it's wonderful. They're really happy with it; they love it. No complaints so far."

DACC's cosmetology program covers all aspects of beauty treatment, she said, but some students want to specialize in doing only fingernails.

"So it works out perfect,” Bartolucci said. “They just get to come and do what they want to do and learn what they want to learn."

Brianne Wise, a Delaware Hayes student, said she chose the nailtech program because she wasn't interested in doing hair and skin treatments.

"When I heard there was an after-school program, it was really nice because being a senior, I have three core classes (at her home high school) that I need,” she said. “I don't even have a full normal day at my home district, which means I can work in the morning and then come to school here, and I have the rest of my day free.

“The class itself I love because the people in it are all different. We all have different backgrounds and all come from different schools, actually. Our teacher is great."

Wise said the students will be licensed as nail techs before graduation, and they will gain work experience in a salon.

Application-development tech instructor Wayne Strunk said the flexible-option program involves four-days-a-week instruction at DACC and a Friday assignment that could be done remotely.

"This class can log into their curriculum from home and get everything they get here in class," he said.

As a result of that schedule, Strunk said, one of his students could attend band practice at his home school and march in Friday night football games.

Strunk said the course material covers digital skills that have grown in importance in the past decade, including building websites, web and database applications, and apps for smartphones.

Olentangy High School student Aiden Miller said the after-school application-development course gave him the opportunity he was seeking.

"I was looking to join DACC for a chance at programming,” he said. “I was looking originally at cybersecurity. However, I just couldn't make the cut. I joined too late. I'm a senior. You have to join before you're even a junior."

His spirits soared, he said, when he learned of the after-school program.

"Then it was announced there were senior-only programs, the after-school (options). And I was just off the walls excited," he said.

"I looked at the content we were going to be making, and it absolutely was in my interest. I'm so lucky to be able to work on my career and get those qualifications while still also being able to juggle all the work from my home school. So I do genuinely appreciate this opportunity. It really makes me happy for my future."

Nishita Sharma of Olentangy Berlin High School said she originally thought she might have to sacrifice another class to fit the application-development course into her daytime schedule. The flexible option program prevented that problem, she said.

"I also like the fact that I'm working toward the STEM diploma, and this will really help me get the portfolio part of the diploma.

“I also will have more experience than other people who are coming into college. That'll give me like a certain edge when applying to college. Just like the experience in general, I feel like this will be really helpful in understanding material in college because I want to be able to go into this field, computer science."

Brianne Wise, a Delaware Hayes High School student, is one of 40 students in the Delaware Area Career Center's new Flexible Learning Options, designed to increase the number of course opportunities with after-school classes.

FARRIER SCIENCE LAUNCHES

NEW ENTREPRENEURIAL VENTURE AT HOCKING COLLEGE

by Melinda Casilli

Hocking College offers over 50 hands-on programs, and was named the nation’s first Higher Ed Entrepreneurial School in 2019 by the National Consortium for Entrepreneurship Education. Within the academic programs offered are many opportunities for immersive learning experiences where students can experience life on the job, including specific entrepreneurial ventures that coincide with the programs. These employment opportunities coincide with course work, giving students real-world work experience while in school; learning and building a resume simultaneously.

Farrier science is one such program. Farriers are highly skilled professionals that take care of hoof care for horses. This entails cleaning, trimming, and shoeing the hooves of horses. Hocking offers one of the few programs in the United States and is the only program in Ohio that offers an Associate Degree of Technical Study in Farrier Science and Business. This unique program combines farrier skills and business management, giving students the best of both worlds, working with horses and owning their own business.

Students learn the newest and safest techniques for shoeing horses as they develop skills on both gas and coal forges. They also learn corrective farrier skills as well as shoeing for performance. Classes such as care and handling, gait analysis, and nutrition provide students with a solid background in horse care.

The business portion of the program teaches students basic business skills such as management, accounting, marketing, development, and specific business skills to the equine industry.

Because many farriers are self-employed, the entrepreneurial venture with this program is a Farrier Trailer, where students service outside clients. This venture was made possible by the NACCE's 2021 Pitch for the Trades Competition in Minneapolis, MN for Entrepreneurship in Farrier Science. Dr. Dan Kelley, former Dean of Natural Resources for Hocking, pitched the idea of a Farrier Trailer, which would be equipped with everything needed to shoe a horse and could travel to clients.

The best of two worlds - working around horses and owning your own business.

The idea won, and Hocking received a check for $25,000 to create a Farrier Trailer.

The Farrier Science Manager, Eric Wilt, who has been shoeing horses for 32 years, knew that for this venture to work for students enrolled in the program, the college needed horses on which students could practice, and while the school does have horses, it wasn't enough to train the number of students enrolled in the program. This led to a contract between Hocking College and the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine to trim horses donated to the university at the Alice Lloyd Finley Memorial Veterinary Research Farm (Finley Farm) in Madison County, which encompasses 133 acres. Hocking's farrier students go to Finley Farms every other week to trim the horses.

Wilt states, "shoeing horses is a great blend of talents, horse savvy, and the skills of a blacksmith. A horseshoer definitely 'rows their own boat.' And that's also something I try to instill in my students.

There are a lot of good horseshoers out there. But to be an expert, you have to know things. Your mind has to be curious. Self-employment comes with self- motivation, self-education, and the willingness to self-improve."

To learn more about Hocking College's Farrier Science program, contact admissions@hocking.edu or call 740-753-7050.

Bluffton Bread Company students gain small business experience

From developing and standardizing recipes to streamlining the online shopping cart, Bluffton University students are gaining hands-on learning experiences through the Bluffton Bread Company. Five students are currently serving on the student advisory board for the student-run business.

Madeline Kidd, a nutrition and dietetics major from Middletown, Ohio, acts as a manager for the business with oversight for production and operations.

"The Bluffton Bread Company gave me the opportunity to demonstrate and highlight my leadership skills and talents,” said Kidd. “This experience has provided all of us with the opportunity to serve our community in an unexpected yet rewarding way."

Meredith Obringer, a nutrition and dietetics major from Tiffin, Ohio, serves as a lead baker and is responsible for inventory, packaging, and sales.

“From this experience I have learned many valuable lessons on leadership and production management,” said Obringer. “I learned what it's like to experience challenges and how to overcome them as a team. It has been a very difficult but rewarding task that has also set me up for success in my future career as a dietitian.”

Pictured from left: Eli Grieser, Madeline Kidd, Jacob Boelkens, Meredith Obringer and Hannah Plesac.

Hannah Plesac, a nutrition and dietetics major from Galion, Ohio, does baking for the business as well as packaging.

“The Bluffton Bread company has been a great opportunity to work with other students and learn how to run a small business,” said Plesac. “Now I know how much effort and time really goes into a business.”

Jacob Boelkens, an accounting and business administration double major from Millbury, Ohio, is responsible for expenses, sales, and maintaining accounts.

“Since working for the Bluffton Bread Company, I have been able to apply my classroom knowledge to a real-world setting,” said Boelkens. “Whether it’s using our system of QuickBooks or even making updates to the website, what I’ve learned in the classroom has helped prepare me for this experience.”

Eli Grieser, a business administration and marketing double major from Wauseon, Ohio, is responsible for marketing and customer relations.

“Skills and lessons I gained from the Bluffton Bread Company include the ability to run a website while also being able to professionally run the Bluffton Bread Company email by responding to customers,” said Grieser. “An experience I didn’t expect to learn was how important it is to be organized, especially during the holidays, by ensuring all orders are correct. A tiny mistake can affect the whole process.”

Started in 2019, the Bluffton Bread Company provides students with practical experience with the benefit of mentorship by Bluffton’s expert faculty.

"Since working for the Bluffton Bread Company, I have been able to apply my classroom knowledge to a real-world setting"

Photo: Lorain County Community College

A special thank you to all of those who contributed stories and articles: A World Leader in Polymers

Cristine Boyd | Senior Director of External Communications | University of Akron

Ohio University’s Patton College of Education online certificate in mixed methods research

Tasha N. Attaway, MSJ | Digital Graduate Recruitment and Retention Manager | Ohio University

Delaware Area Career Center students enthusiastic for new after-school program

Alicia Mowry | Director of Public Information | Delaware Area Career Center

Farrier Science launches new entrepreneurial venture at Hocking College

Melinda Casilli | Digital Marketing Specialist | Hocking College

Bluffton Bread Company students gain small business experience

Tricia Bell | Content Manager | Bluffton University

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.