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Howland woman to head education group
By HAROLD GWIN
YOUNGSTOWN
An organization formed to develop a comprehensive, integrated system of education across four Ohio counties has named Stephanie Shaw of Howland as its first executive director.
Her selection followed a comprehensive search that drew 75 applications for the post, said Joel Ratner, president of the Raymond J. Wean Foundation, which is helping to fund the Eastern Ohio P-16 Partnership for Education.
“Stephanie has grown up and worked in this area all her life,” Ratner said. “She knows many of the stakeholders and understands the challenges we face.”
Shaw said she sees an educational gap between preschool and college. The P-16 Partnership is a chance to close that gap. she said.
Similar initiatives launched elsewhere across the country have been successful, Shaw said.
Some of her specific goals include introducing music, art and foreign language in preschool, increased college enrollment by students who will be prepared from day one and attend college at an affordable rate, successful co-ops that help students pay for their education and guarantee post-graduate enrollment and parent/educator-run programs that enhance the learning environment.
The partnership, involving education, business and other groups from Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana and Ashtabula counties, was created to develop a seamless education transition for young people from preschool through college or some other form of post-secondary education.
Shaw, a Warren native, most recently served as health and wellness program manager for the Warren YWCA. Before that, she worked at EMBARQ as regional public-affairs manager for 26 Ohio markets. She is on a number of local community boards.
She will begin her duties May 3. Her salary wasn’t released.