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Ashland University grad Valerie Zeno named principal for a rural Ohio school district
Growing up in the suburbs of Cleveland, Valerie Zeno wanted a college experience different than the one she had at Normandy High School in Parma. “When I visited AU, I saw an Amish buggy driving down the road and fell in love with the charm of Ashland,” Zeno said. “On my campus visit, everyone was welcoming and friendly, and it immediately felt like home.” That “small-town” experience has played a big part in Zeno’s career, including accepting her most…
Lessons learned from AU lead Beres to job as Clinton County Port Authority director
A constant of human history, no matter the technological and moral advances, is that a decision in the real world is never made where you have all the information you need. This insight has been incredibly helpful to Alex Beres, a 2006 Ashland University graduate. “A great lesson from some of the courses I had at Ashland was that never was there a leader who acted with perfect knowledge,” Beres said. “I try not to approach any subject matter or decision to…
MBA graduate recognized in the Marquis Who’s Who
After several colleagues suggested she consider it, and carefully weighing the pros and cons, Shari Thomas enrolled in Ashland University’s MBA program. “I decided to enroll in the MBA program specifically because of the program’s flexibility and support of a work/life balance,” said Thomas who completed the program in 2002. “As a mother of two young children and working full time, I intentionally chose to attend one course, each semester, for four…
MAHG grad named first site manager of Colorado historical site
Unlike many students who have gone through Ashland University’s Master of Arts in American History and Government program (MAHG), Chris Mather isn’t a social studies teacher. Mather works for the National Park Service (NPS). “While the MAHG program is generally focused toward secondary school social studies teachers, I believe this program can be a benefit to anyone who is involved with government functions, acts as a steward to our public resources or has a…
AU graduate courses help longtime educator have a varied career, including his new director of administrative services job
Even though Geoff Halsey said he’s about five years away from retirement, the longtime educator plans to earn a doctorate degree before he retires. That’s because he said he loves learning and being in school settings. Some of the best of the many graduate courses the 52-year-old said he has taken throughout his education career were through Ashland University, where he earned his building principal license, as well as a master’s equivalency in educational…
Ashland University's Accent on the Individual motto guides MBA grad to new job as Kentucky State president
Koffi Akakpo was planning on attending Ohio State University for his Master of Business Administration degree, until he had a change of heart. “My human resources director, Pat Schell, recommended Ashland University,” said Akakpo, who was working full time at a company in Mansfield, Ohio, at the time. “When I looked into it, it had an MBA program with an executive strategic planning edge, and it was closer to home.” Akakpo said he is grateful he decided to…
Chapman, who earned a master's degree from AU, named superintendent of Columbus City Schools
Ashland University allowed Angela Chapman to take graduate courses while still working full time as an elementary teacher early in her education career. “My school district at the time, Cleveland Heights-University Heights, had a partnership with Ashland University,” said Chapman, who earned her master’s degree in curriculum and instruction in 2000 after two years of AU classes. “The partnership provided extension and outreach courses in our district after…
AU student getting jump on her career in sports broadcasting with Cleveland camera crews
Ashland University student Olivia Pliske shouldn’t be on track to graduate early. She started college during the COVID pandemic, changed her major three times and sometimes skipped classes to go to Cavs and Guardians games. Taking College Credit Plus courses in high school helped Pliske overcome switching majors and the COVID pandemic so she can graduate this December in 3 ½ years and really start focusing on her career. “Being part of the COVID…
Career path to Richland Youth & Family Council director job included AU graduate classes
Taking graduate courses at Ashland University worked out really well for Michelle Miller for a couple of reasons. First, they were available through a partnership between AU’s Columbus branch and Columbus City Schools, where she was working at the time. Second, as a full-time literacy specialist for Columbus City Schools, Miller loved being able to take classes in the evening. “I would absolutely recommend Ashland University for graduate work,” said Miller…
'Great support system' from JDM program key to recent AU grad thriving in new job
Katie Foster admits she decided to attend Ashland University because it was close to home. “I chose AU out of convenience, but I have no doubts that is exactly where I was meant to be,” said Foster, who was living in Ashland when she graduated from Shelby High School. “The college not only gave me a great education and experiences through the journalism department, but also friends and memories I’ll treasure forever.” The “great education and experiences…
