Other News & Events
An Important Message from the President
An employee of North Central State College recently posted a message on their personal social media account expressing a personal opinion about current political events. While the post was not made on behalf of the College, some members of our community have shared concerns about the nature of those comments.
We heard you and we understand that these remarks were upsetting to some, and we take those concerns seriously. NC State College values an environment of respect and open dialogue, and we remain committed to supporting all students, faculty, staff and community partners.
After reviewing the post(s) and consulting with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office, the College was advised that public employees have a First Amendment right to express personal opinions on matters of public concern when speaking as private citizens. Because of this constitutional protection, the College cannot terminate an employee for such speech as was suggested by some of the postings. Doing so could expose the College to legal liability.
What we have done is to speak directly with the employee to ensure clear boundaries are understood. The employee has been advised not to associate personal views with the College in any way and to make every effort to indicate that they are not speaking for the institution. That said, the College is looking into further actions.
We hope our community understands that we have addressed this matter directly and within the limits of the law. We also want to emphasize our empathy for those impacted by recent events in our country. At NC State College, we believe in a democracy that thrives when we come together as one nation—drawing on our strengths while respecting our differences.
Our commitment remains to foster a campus and community culture where every individual feels safe, valued, and respected, even in times of disagreement. We will continue to provide support and encourage constructive, respectful dialogue during these challenging times. Although we enjoy our freedom of speech in our great country, we all must take a moment to commit to bring down the temperature of the rhetoric.
For further questions or concerns, please contact the President’s office at 419-755-4811, or the communication office at 419-755-4810
North Central State College’s Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering Technology Earns ABET Accreditation Through 2031
North Central State College is proud to announce that its Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology (BASMET) program has officially been accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET (Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology), the accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computer, engineering, and engineering technology.
The BASMET program was first launched in the fall of 2019. North Central was selected among a select group of community colleges in Ohio authorized to confer bachelor’s degrees and is now among those offering a fully accredited applied engineering program that meets national standards.
The accreditation is retroactive to the program’s first graduating class in 2023 and will remain in effect through 2031, ensuring that all graduates from the start of the program onward have earned an accredited degree.
Dr. Dorey Diab, President of North Central State College, praised the faculty, staff, and industry partners for their dedication to building a high-quality, rigorous program that meets national standards. “This accreditation is a tremendous milestone for the college and a testament to the hard work and commitment of our faculty, staff, and college community,” Diab states. “I congratulate everyone who played a role in achieving this recognition. It not only validates the excellence of our Mechanical Engineering Technology program but also enhances the value of our students’ degrees in the eyes of employers.”
North Central initially received approval to develop and offer the degree following a directive from the Ohio Department of Higher Education, aimed at addressing regional workforce demands in high-skill industries. The program, designed to meet the needs of both traditional students and working adults, provides advanced hands-on training primarily at the college’s Kehoe Center in Shelby.
ABET-accredited bachelor’s degrees are often required for professional licensure and can significantly improve employment prospects. It allows graduates to receive an education that meets the industry’s expectations and be ready to enter the workforce with strong technical and problem-solving skills.
The accreditation milestone represents a significant step forward in North Central’s ongoing mission to deliver high-quality, affordable, and locally relevant higher education.
Students Reflect on Their Journey Through North Central State College’s LPN to RN Program
North Central State College offers a special opportunity for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to advance their careers through its LPN to RN articulation program. This two-year program allows students to build on their previous experience as LPNs and become Registered Nurses (RNs), opening the door to more responsibilities, higher salaries, and new career opportunities.
Three students—Sheena Frontz, Sylvia Rathburn, and Elizabeth Sanders—recently shared their experiences in the program and how it has impacted their professional lives.
Sheena Frontz, who earned her LPN through the Air Force 16 years ago, said the RN program at North Central helped her understand the reasoning behind many of the skills and procedures she’s used for years.
“In the LPN program, they teach you ‘this is what happens, so do this,’ but not a lot of the why,” Sheena said. “A lot of lightbulbs went off for me—it was like, ‘Oh, that makes more sense as to why we do this now.’” She currently works at the OhioHealth Emergency Room.
Sylvia Rathburn, who completed her LPN at North Central two years ago, agreed. “It was like putting things together,” she said. “With cardiac, you don’t just see the rhythm—you know what it is and why it’s happening. The RN program goes way more in-depth.”
Sylvia also praised the financial support and opportunities provided through North Central’s partnership with OhioHealth. “I get tuition reimbursement through the hospital and the North Central State College Foundation scholarship,” she explained. “It was a great opportunity for me to level up in my career from LPN to RN without the cost.”
Elizabeth Sanders, who became an LPN in 2020 through the Wayne County Career Center during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, said her transition was unique. “My LPN was online because of COVID. It was a lot of learning on my own, so when I got to North Central, it really helped me put everything together,” said Elizabeth, who now works in Labor and Delivery at Pomerene Hospital in Millersburg.
All three students agreed that the simulation labs at North Central State College played a major role in their learning. “You can talk about it all day, but until you actually do it—like giving compressions and meds—that’s how I learn,” said Sylvia. “The simulation labs are true-to-life.”
Sheena added, “That’s where I have learned the most.”
The program not only offers real-world training but also dedicated instructors. “I love the instructors,” Sylvia said. “They are doing a great job and making sure we understand what they’re teaching and that we are prepared for whatever comes our way on the job.”
North Central’s LPN to RN program is part of an Associate of Applied Science in Registered Nursing. It combines classroom learning with hands-on clinical experience. Students must meet admission criteria, such as maintaining a certain GPA and completing prerequisite courses.
Congratulations Class of 2025
Commencement Ceremony 2025
Recovery to Giving Back Through Human Services
At 43 years old, Jason Witt is turning his struggles into a powerful tool for helping others. A recovering addict with multiple years of sobriety, he has found a new purpose in the college’s Human Services program. Through his unique life experiences, he’s determined to make a significant impact in the lives of others facing similar challenges.
“I’ve been in recovery for a little over four years,” Jason shared. “I work with a couple of people at my current job who have a degree in social work, and they encouraged me to pursue this path. They believed it would help me, and allow me to help others who are going through similar experiences.”
His journey is a testament to the strength of personal transformation and the power of education. With firsthand experience in overcoming addiction, he brings a valuable perspective to the field of social work. “I feel like I have a lot of experience on one side of the social work field and thought I could use that to benefit others,” he added. “A lot of the coursework at North Central has been very beneficial to the field I’m entering. Many of the concepts I’m studying resonate with my own life experiences.”
Support from the college has been instrumental in his success. “One of the best things at North Central is my student advisor,” he said. “She has been amazing, always answering my emails quickly and providing the guidance I need. Her support has given me the confidence to continue my education and push through any challenges that arise.”
Beyond the classroom, the student is gaining valuable hands-on experience through his practicum hours. “Right now, I’m working in the field, gaining real-world experience,” he explained. “This has been incredibly beneficial, and I’m also completing my Chemical Dependency Counseling Assistance certificate, which will be a huge asset for me moving forward.”
North Central’s flexible approach to learning has also been an important part of his success. While he prefers in-person classes, he’s found that the online options have exceeded his expectations. “The online classes have been much easier than I thought they’d be,” he said. “The flexibility of class options and schedules has been a huge advantage, allowing me to balance my education with other responsibilities.”
Jason’s commitment to his recovery and his education is an inspiration to all.
North Central State College selected to participate in national initiative to help rural community college students succeed
Phase 2 of the Rural Guided Pathways Project Includes 28 Colleges and Runs for Three Years (2025–27)
Mansfield, Ohio — North Central State College has been selected to participate in Phase 2 of the Rural Guided Pathways Project. Colleges that are part of Rural Pathways work with each other — and with community partners in their regions — to implement evidence-based, institution-wide reforms grounded in the guided pathways framework. The project’s rural focus and in-depth participation of community partners set it apart from other guided pathways efforts.
Dorey Diab, president of NC State is eager to do this work, “This initiative is helping instructors and student services teams better understand the needs of rural students and the challenges they must overcome to persist and accomplish their goal of a college education. In many ways, rural students mirror the challenges faced by urban students. But while similar, cultural and personal responsibilities may bring unique challenges to completion. We serve both rural and urban populations at NC State, and we’re committed to meeting every student where they are when they enroll, because each one has a unique dream. We’re striving to do all that we can to help them achieve their dream, because we know that each graduate will have a profound impact on our community.”
Phase 2 of Rural Pathways builds on the incredible progress colleges made during Phase 1 of the project. Phase 1 included 16 colleges and ran from 2022 through 2024. Phase 2 includes 28 colleges, many of which are continuing the work they started in Phase 1, and will run from 2025 through 2027.
Participating colleges commit to:
- Designing and implementing a better student experience at their colleges.
- Ensuring that more students earn credentials and move on to living-wage jobs or transfer to a four-year institution with junior status.
- Collaborating with key stakeholders to increase economic opportunity in their region and be partners in the implementation of a cross-sector approach to guided pathways.
- Implementing evidence-based reforms that will address inequity and lead to improved educational and workforce outcomes.
Rural Pathways provides a deliberate venue for rural college practitioners to collaborate while they work to improve student outcomes. Historically, rural community college leaders have not had many opportunities to problem-solve around the student success and completion issues that are particular to their culture, context, and capacity. They often struggle to apply strategies — even those that work well at urban and suburban institutions — in their rural context.
Rural Pathways gives rural colleges opportunities to work through challenging issues and collaborate with peer institutions, all in the context of a learning community that provides a broad range of supports.
The role of community partners also sets Rural Pathways apart. Throughout the three-year project, regional partners are an integral part of each college’s team and deeply embedded in pathways implementation. The value of involving external stakeholders in pathways work — and giving them specific roles and responsibilities — is amplified in rural settings, where students’ education, residents’ economic mobility, and the regional economy are so closely intertwined.
“We are excited to have NC State participate in Rural Pathways,” says Gretchen Schmidt, senior fellow, National Center for Inquiry & Improvement (NCII). “Rural institutions have not had many opportunities to problem-solve around the student success and completion issues that are particular to their culture, context, and capacity. By joining Rural Pathways, NC State is demonstrating its commitment to making lasting changes that will improve student outcomes.”
NCII provides the project leadership for Rural Pathways. A team of implementation coaches, leadership coaches, and subject matter experts join NCII in working with participating colleges and developing the project’s curriculum. NCII also builds on longstanding partnerships with the Community College Research Center and the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program to support participating colleges.
For more information about Rural Pathways, visit ruralguidedpathways.org.