Clark State Community College has appointed five new members to the Clark State Foundation Board of Directors. Their term began July 1 of this year and ends June 30, 2022.
“I’m excited to have this dynamic group of individuals join our Foundation Board of Directors,” said Toni Overholser, director of the Clark State Foundation. “Each of them has a very impressive set of skills that will be used to support our mission; to change lives through education and build stronger workforce and community.”
The Clark State Foundation supports individual and community enrichment by engaging donors to remove financial barriers and increase college success through educational and cultural programs. The Foundation also seeks to ensure that a high-quality college education is accessible to all residents in areas served by Clark State.
New Clark State Foundation Members
Cindy Barnett - Springfield, Ohio
Barnett serves as an attorney with Martin, Browne, Hull and Harper. Barnett said she is looking forward to working with the other board members to continue the Foundation’s good work and help build upon its successful programs.
“The Foundation provides a variety of resources to help students in our community be successful with their educational goals,” she said. “The Champion City Scholars program shows the importance of education and its benefits.”
Shashi Chada – Springfield, Ohio
Chada has been an adjunct faculty member at Clark State since 1978. She previously served on the Foundation board for nine years and enjoyed the different ways the foundation was involved in Springfield community activities.
“I enjoyed being part of the scholarship committee and Champion City Scholars program,” she said. “I will like being a part of both again.”
Katherine Hoptry - Beavercreek, Ohio
Hoptry is a senior recruiter at Riverside Research. Her career in recruiting spans several years and involves several different roles in the public, private and government sectors and earned an excellence award for her work on the Affordable Care Act.
Hoptry said it is vitally important to have diverse people come together as a team to work towards engaging and inspiring the community to remove financial barriers for students who want to be granted an education.
“The Clark State Foundation board’s vision of ensuring high quality college education is accessible to all residents of this area directly aligns with my vision for our future generations,” she said. “I look forward to making a difference in our local community through serving on the board. Education is a transformative tool that everyone should have access to regardless of socioeconomic and financial status.”
Ben Vollrath - Bellefontaine
Vollrath assumed the role of president of the Logan County Chamber of Commerce in August of 2018 with the task of advancing the economic development efforts of the community. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Wheaton College in Chicago, Illinois, and his MBA from Capital University in Columbus. In 2018 he received his designation as certified economic developer by the International Economic Development Council.
Vollrath said this region has incredible job opportunities but a significant shortage of workers. Many of the people local employers need are already here. “The Clark State Foundation helps our local residents who want to learn, grow and prepare themselves to contribute in rewarding careers, making their dream a reality,” he said. “By removing financial barriers for education, our residents win, our employers win and our community wins.”
He is looking forward to learning more about Clark State initiatives, connecting Logan County to the Clark State network and being part of a workforce solution.
“Clark State has partnered with Ohio Hi-Point Career Center in our community for many years,” he said. “With my position on the Board, I hope to build and expand on the relationship so Logan County can better utilize all that Clark State has to offer.”
Joseph Monnin – Springfield, Ohio
Monnin is a graduate of Villanova University School of Law. After 15 years in the private practice of law in Clark County, he was elected judge of the Clark County Juvenile Court. His father, Lloyd Monnin was one of the first professors hired by Richard O. Brinkman at Clark County Technical Institute.
Monnin returned to then Clark State Community College in the 1980s as an adjunct professor in three departments.
After expressing an interest in helping in other ways, Monnin met with Don Lynam and Foundation Director Toni Overholser. He came away from that meeting with a greater desire to serve the college in yet another way, working for the Foundation. He brings experience in job readiness and college matriculation programs as well as establishing and managing educational trusts.