51ĀŅĀ×

51ĀŅĀ× President M. Duane Nellis recently cohosted the 11th annual College Presidents Conference with U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown.

Themed ā€œInnovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship at Institutions of Higher Education,ā€ this yearā€™s conference brought 38 Ohio college presidents together to meet with federal lawmakers from both parties, representatives from federal agencies, education experts and each other.

OHIO, home to the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs, the 51ĀŅĀ× Innovation Center and many entrepreneurial endeavors within its College of Business, has strong associations to this yearā€™s theme. 

ā€œIt was an honor to serve on the host committee of the 11^th annual College Presidents Conference,ā€ 51ĀŅĀ× President M. Duane Nellis said. ā€œThis yearā€™s theme, Innovation, Incubation and Entrepreneurship at Institutions of Higher Education is a cornerstone of OHIOā€™s focus on partnerships and continued education. The opportunity to share ideas not just across institutions but also with lawmakers will help to grow and strengthen OHIOā€™s efforts in these areas.ā€

The Ohio Innovation Fund and the Economic Innovation Group made presentations to participants and two panel discussions were held: Innovation, Incubators and Entrepreneurship in the 21^st Century and Access, Accountability, Affordability in Higher Education. Diane Auer Jones, senior policy advisor to the assistant secretary for postsecondary education, United States Department of Education, also presented and spoke with participants.

Participating presidents attended a luncheon with Senator Brown, Sen. Rob Portman (R., Ohio), and U.S. Representative Bob Latta (R., Ohio).

Senator Brown began hosting the conference in his second year in the Senate. Held at a different institution each year, and with a unique theme, the conference brings together leaders from two-year, four-year, private, public and community colleges to discuss shared challenges and goals.

ā€œOur higher education system is one of our stateā€™s greatest assets, and Iā€™m glad to host the College Presidents Conference to talk and share ideas about how we leverage that asset to grow new industries, create jobs, and bring new opportunities to Ohioans,ā€ Brown said.