Community
Serving Our Community Since 1962
Clark State College, established in 1962, stands as a dynamic public institution committed to empowering individuals through accessible, high-quality education. With more than 5,000 students each semester, the college offers associate and bachelor’s degree programs, as well as certificates, emphasizing healthcare, business, information technology and manufacturing.
With campus locations in Beavercreek, Bellefontaine, Springfield and Xenia, Clark State provides flexible learning options such as online, evening, and in-person classes. Clark State also partners with communities, businesses and industries to foster innovation and student success. As an institution accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Clark State College is dedicated to transforming lives and strengthening the regional workforce through education. We’re with you every step of the way!
Vision: Clark State College will lead higher education with a future-focused curriculum partnering with our communities, businesses and emerging industries while championing innovation and student success within a culture of care that provides intellectual, personal and professional growth.
Mission: To engage and empower diverse learners by providing high-quality educational programs and services that emphasize student and community success.
Guiding Principles: At Clark State, we believe in the transformative power of education through:
- Learning – Use best practices and resources to create a learning community that challenges, transforms and empowers students and employees.
- Community – Value, trust and support for people with whom we work and serve.
- Partnerships – Collaborate to address stakeholder needs and to contribute to the economic and holistic well-being of society.
- Innovation – Champion an environment that encourages creativity and embraces change.
- Adaptability – Adjust to environmental challenges when they arise.
Student Success Definition: Student success at Clark State College is defined as a holistic effort in which everyone shares in the responsibility of preparing, teaching and supporting students of all backgrounds to realize their academic and career goals.
President
Evon Walters, Ed.D., became the sixth president of Clark State College on July 1, 2026, bringing more than 25 years of executive leadership in higher education. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for advancing student success, strengthening workforce partnerships and leading strategic initiatives that expand access to education while supporting regional economic growth.
As president, Walters is committed to building on Clark State’s tradition of excellence by fostering innovation, supporting academic quality and creating opportunities that empower students to achieve their educational and career goals. He believes community colleges play a transformative role in changing lives, strengthening communities and preparing the workforce of tomorrow.
Prior to joining Clark State, Walters served as vice president of strategic initiatives and community engagement at the Community College of Allegheny County where he led community partnerships and strategic planning across four campuses serving approximately 30,000 credit and non-credit students. During his tenure, he established one of the nation’s first Digital Inclusion Centers through a partnership with the National Association for Community College Entrepreneurship and the Verizon Foundation and launched the Verizon Innovative Learning STEM Achievers Program to introduce female, rural and historically underrepresented middle school students to STEM careers.
Across his leadership roles, he has guided strategic enrollment initiatives; developed innovative Student Success Centers; secured significant public and private investments; and strengthened partnerships with K-12 schools, business and industry, and community organizations to expand educational and workforce pathways.
Walters has contributed extensively to the community college field through research, accreditation and professional service. He is a manuscript reviewer for the Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, has served on several American Association of Community Colleges commissions and spent eight years as a systems appraiser and evaluator for the Higher Learning Commission’s Academic Quality Improvement Program.
His leadership has been recognized nationally through numerous honors including the Phi Theta Kappa Paragon Award for Presidents, recognition as an American Council on Education Fellow and the 2024 Man of Excellence Award from the New Pittsburgh Courier. Earlier in his career, he received the Riethmiller Award for Excellence in Scholarship while serving as a faculty member and department chair at Olivet College.
Walters earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he lettered in track and field.
He and his wife, Rhonda, have one son, Evon Jr.
Five-Year Strategic Plan
Clark State’s Strategic Plan is the product of a campus-wide, collaborative effort that serves as a road map to ensure Clark State is focused on student success and serving local communities. The Strategic Plan goals focus on:
Academic Programs
Goal 1: Develop and strengthen quality, innovative academic programs.
- Increase and facilitate faculty’s access to and understanding of data regarding student progress and success in their courses to improve student outcomes.
- Expand professional development opportunities for faculty to meet and exceed pedagogical requirements in flexible learning environments
Student Success
Goal 2: Improve enrollment, student success, retention and completion.
- Implement strategic-focused course scheduling by front-loading courses for students and supporting quick successes.
- Redefine first year experience courses by reworking learning objectives that emphasize academic planning and student intent.
Culture of Care
Goal 3: Facilitate and support an equitable and inclusive culture of care that recognizes, embraces and reflects the diversity of the communities we serve.
- Create a robust, culture-driven employee orientation and professional development to support successful onboarding and longevity of new faculty and staff.
- Develop and expand employee and student mentorship programs and experiences.
Communication
Goal 4: Cultivate effective and efficient communication strategies and collaboration throughout the college.
- Develop and share communication strategies that facilitate information sharing and understanding of college-wide policies, procedures and practices.
- Increase awareness and use of accessible communication techniques to improve access by students, faculty and staff.
Community Collaboration
Goal 5: Promote and support collaboration with diverse communities, businesses and industry partners.
- Develop and implement strong metrics and supports to improve Scholar program enrollment, retention and success and to facilitate the expansion of the program to meet the region’s workforce needs.
- Expand partnerships with regional service providers to promote awareness and improve economic growth opportunity.