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

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

by Dr. Dione D. Somerville

Season 1

13abc Action News Anchor Kristian Brown

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Kristian Brown, a member of the 13abc news team since 2002 and anchor of the noon newscast and Action News at 5:30 with Lee Conklin. A graduate of the prestigious E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Kristian began her career at KTVE in Monroe, Louisiana before returning to her hometown of Toledo for a reporter position at WTOL.She then joined 13abc and excelled, including a focus on education with her Building Better Schools segment. She was inducted into the Ohio School Board Association Media Hall of Fame for her reports on education in the community in 2011 and received the Northwest Ohio Black Media Association Media Achievement Award in 2009. A recipient of Toledo’s coveted 20 under 40 honor in 2007, she received a Telly Award and Association Press Award for her story entitled Hip Hop Math.A member of the National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Kristian is a dedicated industry leader and community supporter who often presents to girls and women’s groups about personal development and positive choices.

One-Year Anniversary Podcast Special

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this special episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville celebrates the one-year anniversary of the Conversations podcast by reflecting on her favorite moments, sharing stories and excerpts from her guests and introducing producer Herbey Atkinson. The Owens Radio station manager also takes the mic and offers his perspective about Conversations; plus, after reviewing hours of conversations, he integrates never-before-heard outtakes in this must-listen episode.

Cherry Street Mission Ministries CEO and President Ann Ebbert

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Ann Ebbert, the CEO and President of Cherry Street Mission Ministries since 2015. Prior to joining Cherry Street, Ann worked in ministry at Hope United Methodist Church in Whitehouse and in sales and training with Invisible Fence in Sylvania. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Miami University.

OACC President and CEO Jack Hershey

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Jack Hershey, the President and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC), which represents the state’s 23 community colleges. The Cleveland native joined the OACC following 10 years at Ohio State University, including time spent as the university’s Associate Vice President for State Relations. Earlier in his career, Hershey worked for Gov. Bob Taft and Ohio House of Representatives Speaker Jo Ann Davidson. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Akron.

Rossford Schools Superintendent Dan Creps

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Dan Creps, the Rossford Schools Superintendent since 2013. The Rossford native earned his bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University. He later pursued his teaching accreditation from the University of Toledo after leaving his first career, which was writing ad copy and selling advertising for a radio station in Erie, Pennsylvania. He found his calling working in education.

HOPE Toledo President and CEO Rev. John Jones

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with the Rev. John Jones, the HOPE Toledo President and CEO since 2020 and also Associate Minister at the Christian Temple Baptist Church. The Toledo native earned his bachelor’s degree in accounting and finance from Central State University and his MBA from the University of Toledo. He also holds a Certificate in Diversity Management from the American Hospital Association’s Institute for Diversity and Health Equity. A 2008 recipient of Toledo’s 20 Under 40 award, he serves on the board of the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium Foundation.

Ohio Director of the Department of Development Lydia Mihalik

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Lydia Mihalik, the Ohio Director of the Department of Development and the former Mayor of the city of Findlay. Director Mihalik is a graduate of the University of Findlay, where she played and coached on the women’s basketball team. While still in school she interned with the city of Findlay and was then offered a full-time position after she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She went from her job at the City to serving as grants administrator for Hancock Regional Planning Commission. While in her second term as mayor, she was tapped by then Governor-elect Mike DeWine to serve in his Cabinet as the state of Ohio’s director of development.

Wood County (Ohio) Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Mark Wasylyshyn, the Wood County (Ohio) Sheriff since 2005 and a graduate of Owens Community College. The lifelong resident of Wood County graduated from Rossford High School in 1979 and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hillsdale College in 1983. He is also a graduate of the Police Executive Leadership College and the National Sheriff’s Institute. Sheriff Wasylyshyn is a member of the executive committee of the National Sheriffs’ Association.

Toledo Museum of Art President, Director and CEO Adam Levine

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Adam Levine, Edward Drummond and Florence Scott Libbey President, Director and CEO of the Toledo Museum of Art since 2020. He started his career at The Met in New York City. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College, where he triple-majored in anthropology, art history and mathematics & social science. He continued his studies as a Rhodes Scholar at the University of Oxford, where he earned his master’s degree with distinction and a D.Phil. in the history of art.

Findlay Hancock County Economic Director Tim R. Mayle

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Findlay Hancock County Economic Development Director Tim Mayle. Their conversation covers a variety of topics, including Amazon’s new facility in Findlay; Findlay being named a Top Micropolitan Community for the eighth straight year and Mayle’s position at the state level with the Ohio Economic Development Association. The 2003 Ohio University graduate has an impressive list of career achievements, including the prestigious 20 under 40 community leadership award in 2013. He is former President of Findlay Young Professionals, United Way of Hancock County, Raise the Bar Hancock County, Small Business Resource Center, Blanchard River Watershed Solutions and the Findlay Energy Special Improvement District.

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