Central State press release
Central State University President Cynthia Jackson-Hammond was among the 30 Ohio college and university presidents in Washington yesterday for U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown’s (D-OH) sixth annual college and university presidents conference. Brown’s forum – the first of its kind for College Presidents in Ohio – brings together leaders at two two-year, four-year, private, public, and community colleges to discuss shared challenges and goals for students and institutions of higher learning.
“Our sixth annual conference builds on our state’s legacy of linking education with economic prosperity, which in turn creates a stronger middle class. Ohio’s two-year and four-year, public and private institutions of higher education are producing the next generation of scientists and lawyers, mathematicians and teachers. It is their work – and their commitment to strengthening the entire pipeline from cradle to career – that will ensure our economy continues to grow and succeed. That’s why this annual conference is so important,” Brown said.
“This conference convenes college and university presidents to discuss ways the next generation of Ohioans can gain the tools and skills needed to repair our economy and create the innovations that will build 21st century progress. Education is our primary economic engine. That’s especially true for older Ohioans who have been laid off and are now looking for skills to compete in emerging fields. It’s also true for servicemembers who return home and want to start a new career. As a nation, we all benefit when every student has the opportunity to earn a quality education,” Brown added.
Brown has invited several special guests to address this year’s forum, including United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki; U.S. Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Lamar Alexander (R-TN) – the Chairman and Ranking Members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee; College Now Greater Cleveland CEO Lee Friedman; and members of Ohio’s congressional delegation, including Congressional Black Caucus Chairman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and Senator Rob Portman (R-OH).
A full list of participants can be found here.
About Central State:
Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio, is one of the nation’s oldest historically black universities, with a 125-year legacy of academic and athletic achievements.
