The Ohio Technical Center Podcast Series

In this episode, we are joined by guest Jennifer Sanders, who is the School Superintendent at the Ohio Central School System through the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The partnership between the Ohio Central School System and the Ohio Technical Centers is driving positive change in the lives of incarcerated individuals. Through a commitment to providing quality education and 21st-century career technical training, th...

In this podcast episode, Keith Horner, superintendent of Apollo Career Center and president of OACTS, discusses his career transition from teaching to administration. He highlights the transformative impact of career technical education and the role of Ohio Technical Centers (OTCs) in workforce development. Horner shares insights on the strong community and industry partnerships that Apollo has fostered, tailored training programs,...

In this episode, Lori Smith from the Washington County Career Center discusses her role in transforming community outreach efforts for adult technical training. The podcast explores the center's collaboration with the Ohio Means Job Center, which aims to increase young people's awareness about career opportunities that don't require a four-year degree. Notable initiatives include interactive training trailers and events like the Ma...

In this episode of the Ohio Technical Center's podcast, Rachael Mann interviews Frank Polen, the award-winning assistant superintendent and director of curriculum at Buckeye Career Center in New Philadelphia, Ohio. Frank discusses the wide range of adult education programs offered at Buckeye Career Center, including full-time and part-time courses in fields like welding, healthcare, and firefighting. He highlights the unique ...

Empowering Transformation: The STAR Community Justice Center and Ohio Technical Centers Partnership

In this episode of the Ohio Technical Centers podcast, host Rachael Mann welcomes Josh Dylan from the STAR Community Justice Center. They discuss the Center's mission as a community-based correctional facility aimed at providing felony offenders with cognitive behavioral therapy, CTE programs, and reentry resources. Josh explains the ...

In this episode of the OTC podcast, host Rachael Mann converses with Stephanie Jury, Manager of Clinical Learning and Development at Adena Health, about the impactful collaboration with the Ohio Technical Center (OTC), Pickaway Ross Career Technical Center (PRCTC). This partnership provides hands-on clinical placements for students, addressing staffing needs and fostering workforce development through programs like STNA, LPN,...

In this episode of the OTC's podcast, learn about the critical role of Ohio Technical Centers in workforce development, focusing on the EHOVE Career Center. Guest Laura Dowdell, the Adult Education Director at EHOVE, shares insights from her 26 years of experience in education, particularly highlighting EHOVE's innovative programs and strong partnerships. Key topics include the center's LPN-RN diploma program, the collaboration wit...

In this episode of the OTCs podcast, explore how Upper Valley Career Center’s Adult Technology Center is shaping career pathways for adult learners in Ohio. Guest Duane Caudill shares insights into the center’s short-term training programs, focusing on high-demand fields like healthcare, advanced manufacturing, HVAC, welding, and automation. Key topics include the OTC Plus program, which allows high school students to enroll in tec...

In the final episode of Season One of the OTCs Podcast, Kim Gates, Director of Adult Education at Warren County Career Center, discusses the center's initiatives and programs with host, Rachael Mann.

Situated uniquely between Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio, the center offers seven comprehensive program pathways, including manufacturing, HVAC, welding, electrical power lines, cosmetology, EMS, and IT. Gates elaborates on a noteworthy p...

In the first episode of Series 2 of the OTCs Podcast, host Rachael Mann speaks with Derek Brown of the Scioto County Career & Technical Center (SCCTC) to examine how one of Ohio’s most robust OTCs is meeting workforce needs, expanding training opportunities, and transforming the lives of learners across the region.

Derek discusses SCCTC’s rapid program expansion, shaped by close collaboration with employer advisory committees an...

In this episode of the Ohio Technical Centers (OTCs) podcast, host Rachael Mann chats with Michelle Rodewald, Director of Adult Workforce Education at Auburn Career Center. Michelle discusses her journey in educational leadership, detailing Auburn's adult education programs designed to meet the workforce needs of Northeast Ohio. Key topics include the center's partnerships with local businesses, high job placement rates excee...

In this episode of the OTCs podcast, Matt Thompson, the Director of Adult Education at C-TEC of Licking County, sits down with Rachael Mann to discuss the critical role of Career and Technical Education (CTE) in adult learning, emphasizing workforce development, flexible and relevant training programs, and direct pathways to employment. Matt shares his background in business and education, the unique challenges adult learners face,...

Host Rachael Mann welcomes Terri Lynn Brosseau, Adult Education Director at Cuyahoga Valley Career Center (an Ohio Technical Center), to discuss how Career and Technical Education (CTE) supports adults through flexible schedules, small classes, and industry-expert instructors. Terri Lynn shares her career path from corporate technology leadership to education and administration, and outlines CVCC’s diverse offerings, including heal...

In this episode of the Ohio Technical Center Podcast Series, host Rachael Mann talks with Chad Bridgman of Warren County Career Center (WCCC), a workforce development leader and liaison between local businesses and adult learners. Chad shares his career journey through Ohio Means Jobs and his work supporting displaced workers, then explains how high-quality Career and Technical Education (CTE) is shifting toward purpos...