Dr. John Comerford, President
Otterbein University
Dr. John Comerford joined Otterbein University as the president in 2018 with a record of commitment and advocacy for higher education and liberal arts colleges.
Believing that education is the "great equalizer", he has focused on access and affordability. He helped establish a scholarship that covers full tuition for Ohio students from families of financial need. The Dual Admission Program, a partnership with Columbus State Community College, provides one of the most affordable degree programs in the state of Ohio. Now enrolling the most diverse classes in university history, Otterbein's first-year class has grown from 12% to 35% students of color.
Most recently, Dr. Comerford led the effort for Otterbein University, together with Antioch University, to found the Coalition for the Common Good, the first-of-its-kind, national, private university system built around improving equity in education to shape a better society for all through expanding graduate programs, workforce development, and degree completion, among other opportunities to serve learners and industry partners alike. Dr. Comerford was named president of the new coalition in August of 2023. His commitment to redefine the future of higher education puts the power of education to work for the common good and ensures that collaboration, not completion, is a better model to grow and educated citizenry, vibrant communities, and a thriving democracy.
His work in guiding new strategic priorities will further define Otterbein's future including economic development projects like The Point 2.0 alongside academic innovations like "Every Student Will," a four-year comprehensive program ensuring every student receives professional mentoring, immersive experiences, and a custom career plan before graduating.
Prior to joining Otterbein, Dr. Comerford served as president of Blackburn College in Carlinville, Illinois from 2013 - 2018, where he was at the center of a number of innovative programs designed to enhance student access and learning.
He previously served at Westminster College in Missouri from 2005 - 2013 as Vice President for Student Life, and Vice President for Institutional Advancement. He has also held positions at Missouri Western State College and Ball State University, where he taught leadership, education, and law courses.
A native of Kenosha, Wisconsin, Dr. Comerford completed his doctoral degree in higher education administration with an emphasis in law at the University of Kansas. He also holds a master's degree in college student personnel administration from the University of Central Missouri, and a bachelor's degree in political science from Western Illinois University. He has conducted research in areas ranging from higher education law to college student culture.
Dr. Comerford serves as a board member for the Council of Independent Colleges, the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Ohio, Educational & Institutional Insurance Administrators, the Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges, the Columbus Council on World Affairs, the Westerville Area Resource Ministry (WARM), the Westerville Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Delaware Finance Authority. As the father of three, he also spends time driving his children to their many activities - Boy Scouts, Cheer, 4H, and soccer to name a few.
Angie Hamberg, Superintendent
Westerville City School District
Angie Hamberg became the Interim Superintendent for the Westerville City School District (WCSD) on March 5, 2024. Prior to joining the district, she served as a High Quality Instructional Materials Specialist and Certified Executive Leadership Coach for the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio. Ms. Hamberg brings more than 20 years of administrative leadership experience to WCSD. She most recently served as Superintendent of Big Walnut Local Schools (BWLS) from June 2015 through July 2022. She also worked for BWLS as Assistant Superintendent, Director of Academic Achievement, and as a Middle School Principal.
Prior to Joining BWLS, Ms. Hamberg worked as a Middle School Principal for Johnstown-Monroe Local Schools, an Assistant Principal/Athletic Director for Northridge Local Schools, and she was an English teacher at Plymouth High School and Northridge High School.
Ms. Hamberg earned her Bachelor of Education in Comprehensive Communications and her Master of Education in Educational Administration from Ashland University. Her Superintendent Licensure work was completed at The Ohio State University.
Dr. David Harrison, President
Columbus State Community College
President David Harrison leads one of the largest, most comprehensive, and most diverse colleges in Ohio, serving more than 40,000 students annually. Since joining Columbus State Community College in 2010, Dr. Harrison has focused on three strategic priorities: student success, workforce development, and community impact.
Under Dr. Harrison's leadership, Columbus State has won national recognition for its focus on equitable student success and innovative public-private partnerships. In 2019, Columbus State received the Leah Meyer Austin Award from the national organization Achieving the Dream, recognizing significant advancements in student success. Since 2010, Columbus State has more than tripled its graduation rate and has significantly improved opportunities for low-income students and students of color.
Among other accomplishments, Dr. Harrison and his leadership team have:
- Launched the Columbus Promise, a public-private partnership that enables Columbus City Schools students to attend Columbus State tuition-free;
- Created innovative 2+2 and 3+1 pathways to expand access to affordable bachelor's degrees;
- Expanded postsecondary opportunities for high school students, enabling the college to serve more than 8,000 high school students annually;
- Developed creative partnerships with employers to address regional workforce needs; and
- Won approval from Franklin County voters for a #300 million bond issue to improve and enhance Columbus State classrooms, laboratories, and technology.
Prior to joining Columbus State, Dr. Harrison served in leadership roles at the University of Central Florida, Seminole State College, and Sinclair Community College. He also served as a consulting manager with Accenture. He earned a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University, and MBA from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering from the University of Dayton. He and his wife, Tracy, have three grown children: Julie, Mark, and Sam.
Jay Poroda, Superintendent
Delaware County Career Center
Jay Poroda is the Superintendent of the Delaware Area Career Center where he leads the district in empowering students of all ages to pursue their passions through engaging educational experiences.
Under Mr. Poroda’s leadership, DACC developed new and innovative ways to expand the district’s course offerings which will maximize the use of the district’s tools and technology while minimizing costs. Emphasizing creativity and ownership among his staff, Mr. Poroda developed the Innovative Projects Grant. This grant is awarded to staff members who develop unique strategies and programming to support our students. Mr. Poroda is also leading the district through transformational change to allow for continuous improvement, engagement, and support for all members of the learning organization.
Prior to coming to DACC in 2021, Mr. Poroda served as a teacher, principal, and central office administrator in rural, suburban and urban school systems in Washington DC, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Mr. Poroda earned his Bachelor of Arts in Spanish, and Masters in Educational Administration. He has dedicated his career to creating learning environments that are safe, secure, nurturing, and challenging for all.
Meet Our Moderator!
Lisa Patt-McDaniel, CEOWorkforce Development Board of Central Ohio
Ms. Patt-McDaniel spent over 20 years at the Ohio Department of Development working in the areas of economic, workforce and community development, completing her career there as the Director of the Department and a member of the Governor’s Cabinet. While she was Director, Ohio claimed its third Governor's Cup from Site Selection Magazine by focusing on taking the steps necessary to be competitive, even in a challenging economic environment. McDaniel joined Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) in 2011 as Director of Community Development where she was responsible for developing relationships and services related to community development, including working with cities and in rural areas to address vacant land and housing, leveraging resources for development, and convening local officials around common development issues.
Ms. Patt-McDaniel is a Certified Economic Development Professional (EDP) through the National Development Council. She is an officer on the boards of the Ohio Workforce Association, Midwest Urban Strategies, the Columbus Next Generation Corporation, and Heritage Ohio. She is also on the Board of the US Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council, and now co-chairs the Policy and Advocacy Committee. Ms. Patt-McDaniel is a lecturer at the John Glenn College of Public Affairs where she has taught classes in public policy and strategic management. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from Miami University and a Masters of Public Administration from the John Glenn College of Public Policy at The Ohio State University. Ms. Patt-McDaniel is married to Dana McDaniel, a partner with the Management Advisory Group, and they are the proud parents of two daughters, Caitlyn and Colleen.
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Date and Time
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
11:00 AM - 1:15 PM EDT
11:00AM | Registration and Networking
11:30AM | Luncheon Meeting, Awards, and Panel Discussion
1:15PM | Meeting ends
Location
The Golf Club at Little Turtle
5400 Little Turtle Way W
Westerville, OH 43081
Fees/Admission
$45 | Members
$55 | Potential Members
Contact Information
Jessica Schwarz
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