Clark State Community College has been named a finalist for the 2018 American Association of Community College (AACC) CEO/Board Relationship Award of Excellence. The AACC Excellence Awards recognize exceptional work among the nation’s two-year colleges.
“As board chair, I am privileged to work with a group of trustees and President Blondin who are committed to improving student success at Clark State through innovative strategies,” said Sharon Evans, chair of the Clark State Board of Trustees. “They have demonstrated that commitment through participation in college activities and attendance and presentations at national conferences, as well as leadership roles in the Ohio Association of Community College Executive Committee and on the Association of Community College Trustees Finance Committee.”
Each college’s application is reviewed against the criteria for the award and assigned a score for each category. Those colleges with the highest scores move on to become finalists. The AACC staff narrows applications down, and a committee of the board of directors selects the winners.
Clark State was nominated for the award by several professional organizations and individuals including Jack Hershey, president and CEO of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. Hershey said the efforts of the Clark State Board of Trustees in collaboration with Blondin’s leadership have helped enhance student success in Clark State’s service district and across the state. “In recognition of their efforts, I fully support the nomination of Clark State Community College for the American Association of Community Colleges 2018 Exemplary CEO/Board Award of Excellence,” he said.
All finalists will be recognized, and the winner will be announced at the 98th Annual Convention in Dallas, Texas, April 28 – May 1.
“As president, I am honored to work with a Board of Trustees that places students at the center of everything we do and every decision we make,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “The Board is the most collaborative entity with whom I have worked in my 24 years in higher education, and they truly understand and embody the ideals of shared governance. Clark State has been a leader in student success initiatives as a result of the Board’s focus on excellence and quality.”