AU grad Vicki King-Maple named director of Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association
Vicki King-Maple, though a communications professional, has a hard time putting into words the love she has for Ashland University.
“It’s a second home; it’s family,” said King-Maple, a “triple-crown” Ashland University alumna, having received her bachelor’s (speech and public communication, 1995), master’s (education in curriculum and instruction, 2000) and doctorate (educational leadership and leadership studies, 2019) degrees from AU. “As a student, I experienced ‘Accent on the Individual’ as more than a mantra; I was genuinely cared about and guided by professors, advisers, and staff there.”
She credits the educational foundation, rich mentoring and professional experiences she has received through AU for much of her successful career.
Her latest success is being appointed as executive director of the Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA).
According to a news release from OMEGA, the organization serves 10 east-central Ohio counties as a facilitator between state and federal government agencies and local entities to provide opportunities in economic and community development through networking, education, planning, research, and allocation of resources.
King-Maple will officially assume the role on Nov. 1 from Jeanette M. Wierzbicki, who will retire on Oct. 31 after 12 years of service to OMEGA.
OMEGA Board President Tiffany Swigert said in the release that she expects King-Maple to continue Wierzbicki’s success of bringing millions of dollars in funding to rural communities in need, as well as put her own touch on the position.
“Vicki will bring her own future-thinking, executive-level leadership skills to bolster relations, advance initiatives and empower the pursuit of prosperity for the people and communities of the Appalachian region,” Swigert was quoted in the release.
Helping people, institutions and communities to a brighter, more promising future is what King-Maple is most looking forward to in her new position.
“That’s who I am and what I do,” said the east central Ohio area resident. “I have a calling and a giftedness for empowering others to discover their passion and fulfill their purpose.”
In her varied career, King-Maple has served as a vice president for Economic Development and Workforce Solutions (Central Ohio Technical College), worked as an adjunct faculty member for interpersonal communication (Zane State College), and owns a consulting, training and speaking business.
While a student at Tri-Valley High School (a 1991 graduate) in Dresden, Ohio, in one of the 10 OMEGA counties (Muskingum) she now serves, King-Maple attended a college visit day where she learned about Ashland University and connected with a recruiter.
“He believed in me as a first-generation college student and prepared me for difficult conversations with my family who was not in favor of me going away to a four-year institution,” said King-Maple, who also received an academic scholarship to study both education and communications at AU.
After spending a week on the campus for Buckeye Girls State the summer after her junior year in high school, she knew as soon as she moved into her room in Amstutz Hall that AU was where she was going to spend the next several years of her life for college.
“It was Ashland University that taught me the key to being a great educator and communicator is to be a great relationship builder,” King-Maple said. “That life lesson has served me well.”
As an undergraduate student, King-Maple built many relationships serving on the Orientation Team and CAB (College Activities Board), being selected 1995 Homecoming Queen, dancing at basketball games with the Eagle Elite Drill Team, bonding with her Alpha Delta Pi sisters, and fine-tuning her journalism and broadcasting skills in the university’s radio and TV stations.
Even into her early graduate studies, she continued to earn scholarship money competing in the Miss Ohio Scholarship Program. Throughout her doctoral studies, she developed many relationships with cohort members and professors.
As an alumnus, King-Maple has enthusiastically recruited dozens of students to AU over the years, fulfilled terms on the Alumni Association Board, contributed to scholarships and annual campaigns, and shared memories of her days at the university – remaining engaged with the institution she loves so much.
“I also often attend Homecoming festivities or stop by campus simply to visit friends, walk campus, and enjoy some Campus Store shopping,” she said. “Now more than ever, I am proud to be an Eagle and grateful for the experiential education in and out of the classroom that Ashland University provided me.”