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Top Left: President Dr. Doreen Larson, Edison State; Top
Center: Provost Dr. Lada Gibson-Shreve,
Stark State College; Top Right:
Dr. Subramania Sritharan, Interim Director Central State
University
Land-Grant; Bottom Left: President Dr. Para Jones; Stark State College;
Center Bottom: President Jack Thomas, Central State University;
Bottom
Right: President Betty Young, Hocking College
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Edison State, Hocking, Stark State partner with Central State Extension
WILBERFORCE, OH—Presidents from Central State University, Hocking
College, Edison State Community College, and Stark State College signed
a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will further advance
the mission of Central State University Extension to implement
extension outreach and research-based programs in each college’s
community.
A key component of the agreement allows Central State Extension to
house Regional Coordinators at each campus. Regional coordinators
will work with each college president as well as key community
stakeholders to design and implement programs based on community need
as well as current research.
According to Dr. Subramania I. Sritharan, Interim Dean, College of
Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture and Interim Director,
Land-Grant Programs, Central State University became a Land-Grant
Institution in 2014. The designation enables Central State to
establish and develop Research and Extension programs which focus on
sustainable agriculture practices, water resources management, youth
development, community and economic development, and health and
nutritional disparities.
“According to the most recent US Census, more than 1.7 million Ohioans
live in poverty – approximately 15.8% of the state,” stated Dr.
Sritharan during his remarks. “The CSU 1890 Land-Grant Extension
Program addresses the needs of socially disadvantaged,
limited-resourced, and under-served Ohioans through four program areas
which include Agriculture and Natural Resources, Community and Economic
Development, Family and Consumer Sciences, and 4-H Youth Development
and by utilizing Ohio’s existing infrastructure present at local
community colleges within each region, we have the opportunity to
compliment one-another in serving many of these underserved
populations.”
Central State University president Dr. Jack Thomas gave a brief
overview of Central State University’s history as a land-grant
institution. “This is truly exciting because as we (Central
State) are expanding our footprint across the state of Ohio,
partnerships with colleges like Stark, Edison, and Hocking are
significant and meaningful. Such partnerships allow us to meet the
needs of so many more Ohioans, not only with programs and outreach, but
with opportunities for continuing education; ultimately improving the
lives of the citizens of this great state!”
Hocking College President Dr. Betty Young thanked Central State for
selecting the Hocking College Perry Campus as a site for meeting the
mission of a land grant university and for reaching into our rural
communities. “We are proud to be part of this strategic priority of
Central State and to be your partner.” Dr. Young in her remarks further
acknowledged the importance of agricultural and technical education and
its importance to the economic growth our Ohio.
“Alongside our overall economic partnerships in Preble and Darke
Counties. This next level of collaboration with the Central State
University Extension Office supports increased options for our
Agri-business students in particular, but also forms a foundation for
new pathways for all Edison State students in all of our service
counties,” stated Edison State College president Dr. Doreen
Larson. “Central State University President, Dr. Jack Thomas, has
certainly hit the ground running and wasted no time in promoting
strategic partnerships. The presence of Trustees Mehaffie and Fletcher
at the signing event speaks volumes in terms of Edison State’s
commitment to support of the Agricultural industry in Ohio.”
“Stark State College is delighted to partner with Central State
University (CSU) to provide educational opportunities to students in
the region, and we are pleased that CSU’s Northeast Ohio outreach
office is located at our Downtown Canton facility,” said Stark State
President Para M. Jones, Ph.D. “We look forward to joining Central
State in reaching out to urban, suburban and rural residents and
employers with programs on nutrition, health and wellness; agriculture;
and other extension services related to Central State’s land-grant
mission.”
Attending the virtual MOU signing ceremony, held on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 1 PM, were:
Dr. Jack Thomas, President of Central State University
Dr. Betty Young, President of Hocking College
Dr. Para Jones, President of Stark State College
Dr. Doreen Larson, President of Edison State Community College
Other Notable Attendees Included:
Central State University
Dr. Subramania Sritharan Interim Dean, College of Engineering, Science,
Technology, and Agriculture, and Interim Director, Land-Grant Programs
Dr. Zillah Fluker, Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Dr. Siddartha Dasgupta, CSU Extension Associate Director
Leslie Horner, Regional Associate NE
Kelley Beers, Regional Associate SE
Seth Swallow, Regional Associate SW
Hocking College
Tim Brunicardi, Executive Director of Marketing
Jeff Daubenmire, Chief of Staff
Stark State College
Dr. Lada Gibson-Shreve, Provost and Chief Academic Officer
Edison State Community College
Chris Spradlin, Provost
Chad Beanblossom, Vice President of Regional Campuses
Bruce McKenzie, Director of Marketing and Communications
Marvella Fletcher, Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Darryl Mehaffie, Trustee
To learn more about Central State University Extension contact Dr.
Siddhartha Dasgupta, Central State University Extension Associate
Director at 937-376-6625
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