(From Owens Community College)

Owens Community College president Dr. Dione Somerville welcomed in a special year with the State of the College address, delivered at both campuses on Monday. The 2025-26 academic year is the 60th anniversary of Owens providing education and training to northwest Ohio.

Owens opened in 1965 as part of Penta County Technical Institute with 200 students, becoming Michael J. Owens Technical College in 1972 and finally Owens Community College in 1994.

During her speech, Dr. Somerville mentioned the more than 500,000 students who attended Owens for credit in its history.

“Milestones like this are rare, and they give us the chance to reflect, honor and look ahead,” she said. “We’ve navigated challenges that have reshaped higher education, including an enrollment cliff, a global pandemic and challenging legislation. And yet, through it all, Owens has remained steadfast. We’ve never lost sight of who we are or why we exist: to provide life-changing education and build stronger communities.”

The college has activities and celebrations planned throughout the school year to honor its 60 years. It started with an update of the college timeline on the walls of College Hall and includes a special commemorative commercial, featuring Owens alumni Dr. Angela Jackson, an optometrist, Al Mitchell, a nurse, and Wood County Sheriff Mark Wasylyshyn.

More information on Owens’ 60th anniversary, including an updated list of events, can be found at owens.edu/owens60.

Coming on the heels of the exciting announcement of Owens’ first bachelor’s degree last week, Somerville talked about the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Completion Program. As it has done many times before, Owens has stepped up to help fill a need in the region, this time with a shortage of qualified nurses.

The BSN will be built on Owens’ well-established Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and will allow bachelor’s degree-seeking students to complete the BSN coursework online, making it a flexible, accessible option for busy professionals.

“This new program marks a bold step forward for both Owens and the region as we aim to meet growing workforce demands and expand access to affordable, high-quality education,” Somerville said.

The keynote speaker was Dean Monske, president and CEO of Regional Growth Partnership Northwest Ohio. Monske spoke about the importance of Owens training and educating the workforce in the region and its longstanding partnerships in various industries. Avi Zaffini, the president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, was also in attendance and spoke.

Dr. Somerville also recognized the winner of the Presidential Teach Award, Dr. Genesis Downey, a professor of English and director of the Honors Program. Downey received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toledo, a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of Michigan and a Doctorate of Philosphy with a focus in American Culture Studies from Bowling Green State University. She started at Owens as an adjunct faculty member in January 2002 before becoming a full-time faculty member eight months later. The Presidential Teaching Award selection is based on quality and innovation in teaching and commendable service to the college and/or profession. … Eligible faculty must be full-time tenured or tenure-track and have been with the institution for at least 1 full academic year.

Dr. Somerville also used the six objectives of the college’s strategic plan to highlight some of the recent successes and future plans:

Building a community of belonging

• Owens has been designated as a Voter Friendly Campus for 2025-26 by the Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project and NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education, demonstrating the college’s commitment to helping student register, stay informed and exercise their right to vote.
• Owens will welcome author Marian Schembari as the special guest for this year’s The BIG Read. Schembari is the author of “How an Autism Diagnosis Finally Made Me Whole,” the book being read during the yearlong event.

Expanding our partnerships

• Owens will welcome high school students on campus in October for the annual Jill of All Trades, which offers hands-on experiences to young individuals and introducing them to the possibilities of a career in the skilled trades.
• Owens continues a strong partnership with the Northwest Ohio Innovation Consortium, which supported the development and deployment of STEM summer camps at the college.
• This year, Owens joined with four other Ohio community colleges in receiving a share of a $5.7 million U.S. Department of Labor grant to train the next generation of manufacturing engineers and technicians.

Developing an agile framework

• Starting with Summer 2025 registration, Owens moved its student interface to Workday Student. It is the primary system of record for all student services, including course registration, advising, financial aid, student finances, grade submissions, transcripts and degree awarding.
• A feasibility study of the Findlay area is wrapping up. It will help Owens understand the current enrollment patterns at the Findlay-area Campus and explore opportunities for increased enrollment. Findings and recommendations will be released later in the Fall 2025 semester.

Deepening employee engagement

• The Employee Engagement Committee, which meets monthly throughout the year, has assisted in multiple events around campus, including the Health and Wellness Fair, Meal of Thanks, Healthcare Education Center Open House, Employee Service Awards Recognition and Toledo Pride Parade.

Ensuring a sustainable organization

• The new Healthcare Education Center represents a commitment to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals for the region and beyond. With cutting-edge labs, modern classrooms and hands-on training environments, the Center gives our students the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence they need to succeed in high-demand careers.

Telling our story

• The award-winning Conversations podcast, where Owens president Somerville talks with a local or regional leader, is in its fourth season and continues to gain followers.
• The Owens.edu website is undergoing a redesign to make it more modern and user-friendly with more visuals and easier-to-navigate icons.