Other News & Events

Recovery to Giving Back Through Social Work

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.

 

OhioHealth Employee Pursues Academic Dream

Donna York, a dedicated healthcare worker with 14 years of experience at OhioHealth, is taking a significant step toward advancing her career in nursing. Currently in her second semester at North Central State College, Donna is pursuing a Practical Nursing (LPN) certificate with the ultimate goal of becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Her journey, supported by a partnership between OhioHealth and North Central State College Foundation, is a testament to her commitment to patient care and her resilience in balancing work, school, and family responsibilities.

For the past 14 years, Donna has worked in the emergency room at OhioHealth, in-patient registration and as a patient safety aid. During this time, she has had the opportunity to interact with countless safety agents, their families, and patients. It was through these experiences that Donna witnessed firsthand the dedication and compassion of nursing staff, as well as the profound impact they have on patients’ lives.

“Working in the ER, I quickly learned that every role is essential, but I’ve always felt a pull toward helping others more directly through patient care,” Donna says. “Helping people comes naturally to me, and that’s why I’m so excited to be pursuing my LPN certificate.”

Donna’s decision to return to school is driven by several factors, including the life-altering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an ER worker during the height of the crisis, Donna saw firsthand the overwhelming strain on healthcare systems and the critical shortage of nurses. “COVID has devastated our communities and continues to impact lives every day,” she says. “That’s when I knew I had to seize the opportunity to make a difference and take the next step in my career.”

In addition to the desire to contribute to her community’s healing, Donna acknowledges that the financial strain caused by the pandemic and inflation also played a role in her decision to pursue nursing. “The financial challenges of COVID and inflation have affected all of us,” she explains. “Taking a new career path will not only allow me to make a greater impact, but it will also help me provide a better life for my family.”

Going back to school while working a third-shift job has not been easy, but Donna is determined to succeed. She credits her family, classmates, and the support from OhioHealth and North Central State College for helping make this challenging transition easier. “There have been times when I’ve had to rely on my grandkids to help me with my studies. It’s actually kind of cool talking to them about my school day,” she says with a smile.

Donna’s persistence and dedication have not gone unnoticed. The partnership between OhioHealth and the North Central State College Foundation has provided her with the financial assistance she needed to continue her education. Without this scholarship support, Donna admits that attending school would not have been possible. “I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity Ohio Health and North Central have given me,” she says. “It’s a blessing, and it’s allowed me to continue learning and advancing my career.”

As Donna works toward her LPN certification, she remains focused on her long-term goal of becoming an RN. She believes that advancing her education will allow her to contribute more effectively to her team and to the patients she serves. “Education opens new doors—not just for me, but for the entire community,” she says. “By advancing my skills, I hope to make a greater impact on the lives of those in my care.”

Donna’s 14 years of experience welcoming patients into Ohio Health’s emergency department have given her a strong foundation in patient care. Now, she’s ready to take that experience a step further and provide the care herself. “I’ve spent all these years welcoming patients into our care, and now I’m ready to be the one offering it,” she says.

As Donna’s journey continues, she remains filled with gratitude for the support she has received. “I can’t wait to see where this journey takes me,” she says.

A Path to a Brighter Future

Through her hard work, dedication, and support from OhioHealth and North Central State College, Donna is paving the way for a bright future in nursing. With a passion for helping others and a clear vision for her future, Donna is ready to continue her journey in nursing, confident that the best is yet to come.

 

Beebe Honored as Alumnus of the Year

North Central State College (NCSC) proudly recognizes Mike Beebe, a member of the Class of 1977 and holder of an Associate Degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, for his remarkable contributions to the field of engineering and his dedicated service as a professor at the college.

In recognition of his outstanding achievements and dedication to student success, NCSC presented Mike Beebe with Alumnus of the Year during a ceremony on Thursday, October 3, 2024.

The event aims to celebrate the outstanding contributions of North Central State College alumni, whose creativity, bold vision, and community engagement embody excellence in our region.

Following his graduation, Beebe began his professional journey as a Quality Lab Technician at Shulman Plastics and later consulted as a Tool Designer with major firms like White/Westinghouse and Gelzer Systems. In 1980, he furthered his education at Wright State University, where he developed a passion for automotive manufacturing during his time at Dayton Electricar.

Beebe’s career progressed at the Transportation Research Center, allowing him to complete his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Franklin University. This milestone paved the way for positions as a Test Engineer at Chrysler Corporation and New Departure Hyatt General Motors.

Throughout the next 13 years, Beebe established his own firm, MSBeebe and Associates, and held prominent roles, including Vice President of Engineering at First Technology Safety Systems and the Vehicle Research and Tech Center, serving the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). He also served as Vice President of Engineering for Denton ATD, Humanetics.

Beebe says he wouldn’t have been able to start achieving all of his accomplishments without coming to North Central first.  “I’ve been everything from a board member for a company, to starting two companies, working for Chrysler and General Motors, working for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, all as an engineer/VP engineering/VP engineer” he explains.   “I have been lucky enough to do it all. And it all started here. It’s all something I wouldn’t even have been able to do as just a little guy from Plymouth.  Coming here first helped open doors. This community needs this college to open up the door for people.”

In 2000, Beebe founded Midget Motors LLC, dedicating his expertise until returning to North Central State College in 2012 as a professor of Engineering. Known for his infectious enthusiasm and commitment to education, he has become a beloved figure among students and colleagues, actively seeking partnerships that enhance students’ understanding of engineering across various industries.

Not only did Beebe gain his degree at North Central, he also met his wife at the college, “NCSC is where I found a career, a wife, and a future.” His commitment to the field is further exemplified by his 45-year membership in the Society of Automotive Engineers, along with his role as a Sunday school teacher and trustee at his church.