President Nellis cohosts 11th annual College Presidents Conference with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown
51社区 President M. Duane Nellis recently cohosted the 11th annual College Presidents Conference with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.
Themed 鈥淚nnovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship at Institutions of Higher Education,鈥 this year鈥檚 conference brought 38 Ohio college presidents together to meet with federal lawmakers from both parties, representatives from federal agencies, education experts and each other.
OHIO, home to the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, the 51社区 Innovation Center and many entrepreneurial endeavors within its College of Business, has strong associations to this year鈥檚 theme.
鈥淚t was an honor to serve on the host committee of the 11th annual College Presidents Conference,鈥 51社区 President M. Duane Nellis said. 鈥淭his year鈥檚 theme, Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship at Institutions of Higher Education is a cornerstone of OHIO鈥檚 focus on partnerships and continued education. The opportunity to share ideas not just across institutions but also with lawmakers will help to grow and strengthen OHIO鈥檚 efforts in these areas.鈥
The Ohio Innovation Fund and the Economic Innovation Group made presentations to participants and two panel discussions were held: Innovation, Incubators and Entrepreneurship in the 21st Century and Access, Accountability, Affordability in Higher Education. Diane Auer Jones, senior policy advisor to the assistant secretary for postsecondary education, United States Department of Education, also presented and spoke with participants.
Participating presidents attended a luncheon with Senator Brown, Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio), and U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R., Ohio).
Senator Brown began hosting the conference in his second year in the Senate. Held at a different institution each year, and with a unique theme, the conference brings together leaders from two-year, four-year, private, public and community colleges to discuss shared challenges and goals.
鈥淥ur higher education system is one of our state鈥檚 greatest assets, and I鈥檓 glad to host the College Presidents Conference to talk and share ideas about how we leverage that asset to grow new industries, create jobs, and bring new opportunities to Ohioans,鈥 Brown said.