ARCHBOLD, OHIO (10-18-24) – Northwest State Community College hosted its “State of the College” Address at the Voinovich Auditorium, held on September 26, 2024. In attendance were state officials, business and community leaders, and area educators. Following introductions from NSCC Board of Trustees Chair Sandra Barber and Emcee Joel Miller, NSCC President Dr. Todd Hernandez provided an important update on the College’s plans to “Elevate Northwest Ohio” through education and strategic partnerships. At the conclusion of Dr. Hernandez’s speech, Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) President and CEO Avi Zaffiniprovided some state updates for higher education, and applauded NSCC’s efforts and success. The event’s closing speaker was Taylor Moyer, a 2010 NSCC graduate and a 2024 NSCC Distinguished Alumni.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Dr. Hernandez provided a nearly 30-minute speech that included a number of topics that showed the strengths of Northwest State. Key takeaways from the speech included:

1. Elevate Northwest Ohio – “Let’s find ways to say yes (to partnerships).” Elevate Northwest Ohio references college attainment rate, the current college attainment in our six-county service area of Williams, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding and Van Wert sits at 47.4%. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has established a goal of 65% college attainment across the state by 2025.

2. Excellence and Value – An investment in NSCC is an investment in your community. Specifically, from the College’s FY 22-23 economic impact study (via Lightcast), NSCC generates more tax dollars than it receives, NSCC retains and creates wealth, and NSCC performs better than the stock market, both in terms of student investment and taxpayer dollars.

3. A call to service at Northwest State – “We are here to serve.” Affordability (including scholarships), graduate success stories, program redesigns and increased flexible learning opportunities, flexible lab courses, and an increase in College Credit Plus opportunities were among the service-oriented examples provided.

STATE PERSPECTIVE

OACC President and CEO Avi Zaffini took the stage following Dr. Hernandez, and noted that workforce development is vital to the state’s ongoing success and growth. To that end, Zaffini noted, “Together, I really believe, Ohio’s community colleges have the opportunity to be the number one workforce partner for our state’s biggest economic moments. But that happens with collaboration with the private sector, not just together as community colleges.”

AVAILABLE NOW FOR ON-DEMAND VIEWING

The entire “State of the College” presentation is now available for free on-demand viewing, by visiting the College’s official YouTube page (YouTube.com/NorthwestStateCC). For more information on NSCC education, training and services, please visit NorthwestState.edu or call 419.267.5511 today.

###

 

Northwest State Community College is an accredited two-year, state-assisted institution of higher education that has served northwest Ohio since 1969. Northwest State is committed to providing a quality, affordable education with personal attention and small class sizes.  The College offers associate degrees with numerous transfer options, short-term certificate programs, and workforce training programs designed to meet the needs of local businesses and industries. For more information, visit NorthwestState.edu or call 419.267.5511.