Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu 
Web site: www.shawnee.edu

            Shawnee State University, working with Southern State Community College, has commissioned the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University to assess the post-secondary education needs of Adams and Brown Counties.
            “The goal of the study is to identify potential opportunities for new and/or expanded educational programs and partnerships for Adams and Brown County residents,” Susan Warsaw, Shawnee State University Assistant to the President for Strategic Collaborations, said.
            Warsaw explained that the project includes obtaining feedback from several groups. Earlier last month, several community leaders from Adams and Brown Counties were asked to share their vision for higher education. Among participants was Jack McCoy, local business owner and chairman of the Shawnee State University Board of Trustees.
            “I have an interest in this process on several levels,” McCoy said. “As a life-long resident of Adams County, I’m interested in any and all improvements for our area. I believe that involves continually looking at our strengths and weaknesses, assessing what our residents want and need, and investigating ways to meet those needs in ways that are beneficial to the whole area. As a Shawnee State University board member, that desire to continually improve the region is matched by an obligation to make informed decisions that are based on data. This assessment process will help us with that.”
            The assessment will begin mid-March and will include a study of business needs, individual needs, experiences of current students, recent graduates, and high school students.
            “Education is a priority for us,” Mike Pell, local bank president and community leader, said. “We’ve demonstrated that in our county with four new elementary schools. We have well-educated, bright, high school graduates from Adams County and we want to make sure they have access to the type of higher education that will enable them to reach their goals.”