On June 3, Northwest State Community College hosted the University of Toledo Summer Leadership Program, which includes visiting international scholars from the Netherlands. Also on hand were the most recent UT Ph.D. cohort in community college leadership, led by UT’s Dr. Ron Opp, and Dr. Penny Poplin Gosetti, Doctoral Program Coordinator and UT faculty member.
After touring the campus, Leadership Program guests met with the NSCC academic leadership team to discuss credentials, programs, and degrees that NSCC utilizes to meet local community needs. They also discussed upcoming areas of NSCC program growth, including agriculture.
The esteemed guests then met with the College leadership team where President Thomson presented on the leadership challenges and opportunities facing community colleges and specifically in Northwest Ohio. A lively question and answer period ensued to help our international guests as they prepare to meet their workforce needs using a model similar to our country’s community college system.
Lori Robison, NSCC Vice President for Academics, noted the visitors from the Netherlands were exploring ways to adopt our model of two-year associate degrees. “This is a newer concept in the European system and viewed as one that can offer more flexibility for the adult learner than their current system, as a direct path to a professional occupation or a step toward the bachelor’s degree,” Robison said. NSCC was proud to be part of this educational afternoon, helping future higher education leaders both in Ohio and abroad as we work together to strengthen our local communities.
