BUCYRUS, OH (CRAWFORD COUNTY NOW)—Dr. Dorey Diab, President of North Central State College, and Nate Harvey, manager of the Crawford Success Center, recently discussed upcoming events, new programs, and the enduring value of higher education and lifelong learning in a “Community Spotlight” podcast.

Upcoming Events and New Programs

Harvey announced a Business and Manufacturing Collaborative event on June 23 from 9 to 10 a.m. The event aims to connect the business community in Crawford County with manufacturers to discuss needs and explore partnerships to shape the local workforce. Those interested can RSVP on the North Central State College website or by calling the Success Center.

North Central State College is also launching a new phlebotomy program in August. This short-term certificate opportunity involves 120 hours of class and lab time, running Monday through Wednesday, four hours a day. Harvey highlighted it as a flexible pathway into the healthcare field.

Fall semester classes at the Crawford Success Center begin August 12, with offerings including general education courses like speech, English, and statistics, as well as nursing labs for the LPN program.

Workforce Training and the Rise of AI

The college continues to offer workforce training for employers in areas such as leadership, supervision, Microsoft Excel, and customer service. Notably, they’ve recently launched an introductory course on artificial intelligence (AI) for employers.

Dr. Diab emphasized the transformative nature of AI, stating it’s “no longer a soup du jour” and is here to stay. He likened it to a “phantom partner” that enhances efficiency, noting that ChatGPT reached 100 million users in just two months, a pace far exceeding the internet or Facebook. He stressed the importance of using AI ethically, for example, as a planning tool for academic papers rather than for generating content.

The Value of Higher Education and Affordability

Dr. Diab highlighted the significant impact of the Crawford Success Center since its establishment in 2015. He noted that while the statewide educational attainment (defined as education beyond high school) is about 52%, the region served by North Central State College is around 30%. However, the Crawford Success Center has already contributed to a 2% increase in this regional attainment, with a 1% rise in educational attainment equating to a $100 million financial impact on the state’s economy.

Affordability is a key focus for North Central State College. Dr. Diab stated that approximately three-quarters of their students avoid student loans. He also championed the College Credit Plus (CCP) program, which allows high school students to earn college credits tuition-free. Through programs like the “two years free” initiative, students can complete an associate degree before graduating high school, significantly reducing the time and cost of higher education.

Partnerships and a Caring Environment

North Central State College actively partners with local businesses, particularly in the manufacturing and healthcare sectors. Dr. Diab cited a successful collaboration with Avita hospitals, where the college doubled its LPN graduating class to address nursing shortages, significantly reducing the hospitals’ reliance on more expensive traveling nurses.

The college prides itself on a supportive learning environment, offering tutoring, technology support (laptops, internet access), transportation assistance, and even free textbooks through open education resources.

Dr. Diab also spoke about the importance of technical skills, soft skills, and work-based skills. Advisory committees comprised of business leaders guide the curriculum to ensure graduates possess the technical expertise for jobs, soft skills like critical thinking and teamwork to retain jobs, and experiential learning for day-one readiness.

Get Connected

For those interested in North Central State College, Nate Harvey provided contact information:

  • Phone: 419-755-9039
  • Address: 130 N Walnut Street, Bucyrus (across from the courthouse)
  • Website: ncstatecollege.edu
  • Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn

“We’re glad to be able to have an impact on our community to make it a better place to live and work,” Dr. Diab concluded.