Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville

Episodi del podcast

• Stagione 1

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  Knight Insurance Group Talent Management Director Tom Daniels

  Knight Insurance Group Talent Management Director Tom Daniels

  S01 E25

  43:54

  Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Tom Daniels, director of Talent Management for Knight Insurance Group and Owens Community College alumni and member of the Owens Community College Foundation board of directors. Daniels has carved a niche in Northwest Ohio as a trusted coach, adviser, speaker and volunteer. His passion lies in empowering leaders to make a significant impact in their communities, which he believes starts with recognizing everyone's innate leadership potential and desire to contribute positively. Tom's academic achievements, including a master's in Organizational Development from Bowling Green State University, a bachelor's in Liberal Arts from the University of Toledo, and an associate degree in Marketing and Sales from Owens Community College, provide a solid foundation for his professional endeavors and community engagement. Before his tenure at Knight Insurance Group, he served as the Associate Director of Graduate & Executive Programs in Business at Bowling Green State University, shaping the future of business education and executive training. His career also includes significant roles at MRops Inc. and TNS, where he focused on executive interviewing services and learning & development, respectively. Daniels is also heavily involved in his community, serving as chair of Alumni Connections for Owens Community College; a board member for Avenues for Autism; a board member of Leadership Toledo; and chair of Networking for the Northwest Ohio Human Resource Association.

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  Trellis Strategies Managing Director Bryan Ashton

  Trellis Strategies Managing Director Bryan Ashton

  S01 E24

  49:34

  Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Bryan Ashton, the chief strategy and growth officer of Trellis and head of Trellis Strategies. Trellis is a nonprofit corporation with a mission to develop and advance initiatives that grow individual economic mobility and expand community prosperity. Bryan's career trajectory has been marked by a deep commitment to enhancing the financial literacy and success of college students. Ashton’s journey began at Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. He went on to get his Master’s of Education with a focus in Higher Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education. Before starting with Trellis more than eight years ago, Ashton had spent six years working in financial wellness and student affairs at Ohio State, where he developed a keen understanding of the challenges students face in financing their education. Ashton is also co-founder of the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance, a network of professionals dedicated to bringing together post-secondary organizations to inform national conversations that impact the financial wellness field, public policy and educational support services. Beyond his professional endeavors, Ashton is a sought-after speaker and advocate for higher education reform. His work is driven by a belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of equitable access to financial resources. His commitment to student success is reflected in his leadership at Trellis, where he continues to champion initiatives that empower students to navigate the financial complexities of higher education with confidence and resilience. His approach combines data-driven research with community engagement, fostering collaborations that lead to meaningful policy changes and support services for students.

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  Owens Community College BIG Read Dynamic Duo Jen Hazel and Jane Berger

  Owens Community College BIG Read Dynamic Duo Jen Hazel and Jane Berger

  S01 E23

  46:01

  Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Jen Hazel and Jane Berger, the dynamic duo leading Owens Community College’s BIG Read program designed to foster understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives through literature and related activities. Their combined experiences and passions make them an exceptional team to promote literacy and community engagement. Jen Hazel, a professor of English at Owens Community College for over 16 years, is known for her dedication to student success and educational innovation. She holds a Master of Arts in English from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toledo. Jen was awarded the American Association of Community Colleges' Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition in April 2022. She has significantly contributed to the college through various roles, including revamping the advising program, creating new student orientation experiences and developing campus student mentoring programs. Jen's commitment to accessible education is evident in her work with Open Educational Resources (OER), for which she has authored several Creative Commons Licensed materials. Jane Berger, the director of Library Services at Owens Community College, brings her extensive experience in library sciences to the BIG Read. Berger's career in library services includes roles as a reference librarian, serials assistant and part-time circulation supervisor before becoming the library director. Her passion for literacy and sharing books was kindled during her time on the college’s Literacy Committee. Berger holds a Master's degree in Library and Information Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Public Relations from Wayne State University. Her previous experiences as a reference book editor and school librarian enrich her contributions to the college's library services. Together, Hazel and Berger synergize their expertise and enthusiasm to lead the BIG Read, creating a platform that encourages the exploration of diverse perspectives through literature. This initiative under their guidance not only enriches the Owens Community College environment but also extends its impact to the surrounding communities.

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  The College Tour Executive Producer and Host Alex Boylan

  The College Tour Executive Producer and Host Alex Boylan

  S01 E22

  51:01

  Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Alex Boylan, the creator, executive producer and host of the TV series The College Tour. After winning CBS’s The Amazing Race shortly after graduating from Jacksonville University with a B.S. in International Business, Alex’s sense of adventure catapulted him into the limelight, creating a successful and dynamic entertainment career both in front of and behind the camera. For nearly two decades, Alex has been a sought-after onscreen personality, having hosted the #1 food series on PBS At The Chef’s Table, the #1 animal series on PBS Animal Attractions, and over 100 segments for The Travel Channel. Additionally, Alex was Rachael Ray’s sidekick hosting Rach to the Rescue for her syndicated talk show, circumnavigated the world without a penny in his pocket as the star and creator of Around the World for Free, and spent two summers as the ‘National Ambassador’ on the CBS Buzz Tour. Behind the lens, Alex has kept just as busy, garnering himself an Emmy nomination for producing The Steve Harvey Show. His creative talents have been recognized throughout the industry, and he has won multiple Webby Awards for his groundbreaking work on Around the World For Free, as well as an ADRIAN Award for his work on DreamJobbing. With a passion for storytelling and an affinity for globetrotting, Alex has filmed in every U.S. state and over 60 countries around the world. His latest adventure has been exploring higher education through the American landscape, as creator, host and executive producer of The College Tour, for which he has gained recognition as a college expert, most recently being named one of Ed Tech Magazine’s Top 30 IT Higher Education Influencers to Follow in 2022.

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  Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Executive Director and Fiscal Officer Jason Kucsma

  Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Executive Director and Fiscal Officer Jason Kucsma

  S01 E21

  37:36

  Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Jason Kucsma, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Executive Director and Fiscal Officer, a role in which his Toledo roots play an influential part. A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Jason's academic pursuits in Communications and American Culture Studies laid the groundwork for his professional trajectory. His entrepreneurial spirit manifested early on with the creation of Clamor magazine and the founding of Allied Media Projects, initiatives that underscored his commitment to independent media and the empowerment of communities. Before stepping into library leadership, Jason was known for his distinctive pink hair and affinity for punk rock—a stark contrast to the innovative leader he is recognized as today. Upon completing his graduate studies in library science in Tucson, Arizona, Jason spent a decade in New York City, where he experienced significant professional and personal growth. Eventually, he decided to return to his evolving hometown of Toledo, accompanied by his wife and twin children. As he assumed leadership at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Jason was immediately tasked with navigating the library through the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic. His strategic vision for the library has been to establish it as a central hub for learning, community engagement, and support within northwest Ohio. Jason's collaborative approach to leadership is also evident in his role as a co-chair of the Toledo Area Cultural Leaders and his participation on the boards of ConnecToledo and Mercy Health. A voracious reader, he manages to weave his passion for literature into his dedication to community service. Having returned to Toledo, Jason has found a unique position where he can be both accessible and influential, engaging with local leaders to contribute to the region's development. His life in Toledo, shared with his family, is a testament to his blend of creativity, practicality, and deep commitment to enriching the cultural fabric of the Toledo Region.