Teaching CE courses helps AU adjunct become an economic development director

Ceann Bales has only been an adjunct professor for Ashland University since January, but it is already paying dividends for her.

Bales said it “absolutely” helped her be named the executive director of the Jay County Development Corp. in Indiana this spring.

“The adjunct role deepened my understanding of workforce development – a critical pillar of economic development,” said Bales, who taught two sessions of ORGLD 403: Assessment of Workforce Development to Correctional Education students online. “Teaching ORGLD 403, which focuses on workforce assessments, directly complements my leadership role at the Jay County Development Corp.”

Jay County is in east-central Indiana bordering western Ohio with a population of a little more than 20,000.

Bales, who lives in adjacent Randolph County to the south (population of about 24,000), most recently served as director of public policy and alliance initiatives for Indiana Alliance of YMCAs. Before that, she was the CEO of Randolph County YMCA and former president and CEO of Randolph County United, a nonprofit organization combining the efforts of economic development and the county’s chamber of commerce.

While completing her Ph.D. in organizational leadership, Bales said a classmate, who was an AU adjunct faculty member, recommended she help develop the ORGLD 403 course.

“Although I initially declined due to dissertation commitments, I was later invited by Mary Deloe to teach the course after completing my degree,” Bales said. “I’ve truly valued my experience as an adjunct professor. The support from AU staff – particularly Mary Deloe – has been instrumental in helping me grow as an engaged and effective instructor. I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to both education and economic development in meaningful ways.”

Her work with AU’s CE program has inspired her to explore local reentry programs and workforce training initiatives, which align with Jay County’s need to address workforce shortages and build pathways to employment for all residents, said Bales, who added that she’s excited to help revitalize the rural community by enhancing quality of life, attracting new industries, supporting entrepreneurs and promoting downtown redevelopment across Jay County’s towns.

Learning from her students will help her do all that, she said.

“Hearing their stories and seeing how access to education brings hope and motivation for personal and professional transformation,” Bales said. “Many aspire to start nonprofits focused on youth prevention and reentry support, which speaks to the power of education to inspire community change.”