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EGCC candidate touts experience
By Denise Dick
YOUNGSTOWN
Lada Gibson-Shreve, the first of four finalists for president of Eastern Gateway Community College, touted her 18 years of experience in Ohio higher education and with satellite campuses as some of the strengths she would bring to the job.
About 10 people attended the public forum Monday at the college’s Valley Center in downtown Youngstown. Gibson-Shreve, provost and chief academic officer at Stark State College in North Canton, also attended a public forum Monday at EGCC’s main campus in Steubenville.
“I’ve spent 18 years in Ohio, I know the region, know the state, and I know the direction the chancellor and the governor are pursuing on their end,” Gibson-Shreve said.
Like EGCC, which is based in Steubenville but operates the Valley Center, the Warren Center and locations in Columbiana County, Stark State has several branches.
At one time, the college operated 15 satellite locations, she said. Stark State now has four: downtown Canton, Carrollton, Alliance and Barberton.
“I understand the dynamic of being able to operate at different locations,” she said.
EGCC trustees are looking to fill the presidency when Laura Meeks, who has occupied the slot for 15 years, retires in July.
Before being named Stark State provost, Gibson-Shreve served as that college’s dean of liberal arts. She earned a doctorate in sociology through a joint program at the University of Akron and Kent State University and a master’s degree in sociology and bachelor’s of business administration degree, both from Marshall University, Huntington, W.Va.
Gibson-Shreve said she knows Eastern Gateway and appreciates its visionary focus.
“There’s a lot of growth that can occur,” she said.
The candidate said she would listen to stakeholders at the college.
“I do mean listen — you have to hear what’s being said,” she said.
Gibson-Shreve said she’s transparent in sharing information.
She said she would talk often with students. “I like to walk the halls and talk to students,” Gibson-Shreve said. “I like to get a feel for them and what’s going on.”
She said she would build on EGCC’s completion plan, a framework for course and degree completion, determining what’s working and what needs further development.
“We’re here to serve our mission, and our mission is student success,” Gibson-Shreve said.
Forums at the Valley Center continue from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. today with Derrick Manns, executive vice chancellor for Fletcher Technical Community College and South Central Louisiana Technical College, both in Louisiana.