Key Ohio business and education thought leaders join WGU Ohio advisory board
Board will drive efforts to address Ohio’s looming skills gap among working-age adults
COLUMBUS – WGU Ohio, a nonprofit, online university, today announced the appointment of seven Ohio leaders in education, business, technology and workforce development to its inaugural advisory board. Advisory board members serve three-year terms and provide counsel to WGU Ohio Chancellor Dr. Rebecca Watts on how to meet the needs of adults who are looking to complete or advance their degree.
“Each of our board members brings a unique set of skills to the table, and their expertise will guide us as we work to meet the needs of our students and the demands of our workforce,” said Dr. Watts. “I look forward to working with our board members to expand higher education options across the state.”
WGU Ohio’s inaugural advisory board members include:
- Marcia Ballinger (North Ridgeville), president, Lorain County Community College
- Maj. Gen. Mark E. Bartman (Columbus), former adjutant general of Ohio
- Lisa Gray (Dublin), president, Ohio Excels
- Jack Hershey (Columbus), president and CEO, Ohio Association of Community Colleges
- Dan Molina (Loveland), president and CEO, CenterGrid
- R. Michael Snider, Ph.D. (Columbus), chief academic officer, Ohio Association of Community Colleges
- Michael Tefs, Ed.D. (Wooster), superintendent and CEO, Wooster City Schools
WGU Ohio was established in 2018 as a partnership between Western Governors University and the state of Ohio with a unique mission to help Ohioans obtain a quality education that provides current, relevant skills and competencies for in-demand careers. WGU collaborates with employers in the development of its curriculum, ensuring that what students learn is job-relevant.
WGU Ohio has more than 3,000 Ohioans currently enrolled, and 3,173 have graduated from the university.
