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

In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Sandy Spang, Executive Director of the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments (TMACOG). Spang plays a crucial role in steering Northwest Ohio toward a brighter future through her commitment to economic development, community empowerment, and regional planning. A graduate of Bowling Green State University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts,...

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question Listener Survey ! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Dan Sheaffer, director of Findlay Hancock County Economic Development. Sheaffer has a pivotal role in shaping Northwest Ohio’s future by attracting new investments, supporting business expansion and fostering a vibrant economic landscape. A multi-generational na...

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 an...

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. Brya...

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...

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 i...

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 Cu...

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question  Listener Survey ! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Amy Wachob, the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio. Wachob earned her associate degree at Owens Community College and went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Toledo. She joined Goo...

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question  Listener Survey ! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with the City of Toledo’s Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development Rosalyn Clemens. Mayor Kapszukiewicz received a bachelor's degree from Marquette University in 1994 and a master's degree from the University...

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question  Listener Survey ! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Sara Burke, PT, DPT, the chair and assistant professor of the Owens Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Dr. Burke has won several awards, including the Owens’ School of Nursing and Health Professions Teaching Excellence Award, the Ameri...

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question  Listener Survey ! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Wendy Pestrue, J.D., the President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Toledo. Pestrue has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, with expertise in program strategy and fund development for agencies, medical centers and universities. Her experience i...

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question  Listener Survey ! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Wendi Huntley, the Connecting Kids to Meals president since 2016. An accomplished attorney with nearly 30 years in corporate, litigation, intellectual property, sports and entertainment law, she established her own firm, SPEC Group, after working for a lar...

Listeners, please tell us about YOU by taking our four-question  Listener Survey ! In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Christina Muryn, the city of Findlay mayor since 2020. The Findlay native graduated from the University of Findlay in 2014. While at the University of Findlay, she served as the student representative to the Board of Trustees, as Student Government Associa...

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, K...

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 perspe...

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 he...

The next episode of Conversations features Ann Ebbert, the CEO and President of Cherry Street Mission Ministries. In this preview, Ms. Ebbert discusses providing access and opportunities for people, including in higher education with Owens Community College. The full podcast releases Thursday, March 9.

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 univ...

The next episode of Conversations features Jack Hershey, the President and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, which represents the state’s 23 community colleges. In this preview, listen to what Mr. Hershey had to say about the connections between communities and community colleges. The full podcast releases Thursday, February 9.

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 writ...

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 th...

The next episode of Conversations features the Rev. John Jones, HOPE Toledo President and CEO since 2020 and Associate Minister at the Christian Temple Baptist Church. In this preview, listen to what Rev. Jones had to say about access to education. The full podcast releases Thursday, December 8.

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 s...

The next episode of Conversations features Lydia Mihalik, the Ohio Director of the Department of Development and the former Mayor of the City of Findlay. In this preview, listen to what Director Mihalik had to say about jobs, people and the State of Ohio. The full podcast releases Thursday, November 10.

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...