Two Employees Complete Leadership Academy

Two leaders from Edison State Community College have graduated as fellows of the Ohio Leadership Academy for Student Success.

Christina Raterman, Director of Advancement, and Rhonda Rich, Coordinator of Regional Campuses and Career Pathways Advisor, were among 40 leaders representing all of Ohio’s community colleges who graduated in June 2025 as part of the academy, organized by the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. The leadership development cohort program gathers mid-level faculty and staff for a year of training, exchanging ideas, and immersion in how to promote student success.

Each of the state’s community colleges could nominate up to three employees as fellows. They met six times throughout the year. Sessions were relevant to Ohio specifically and included aspects of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program curriculum. Fellows also worked on small group projects between sessions.

Raterman said, “The OACC Leadership Academy for Student Success was a highly enriching experience! We were able to connect with cohort members on a wide range of topics focused on enhancing practices and processes to increase student success. Completing this program is extremely rewarding, as it empowers individuals to strengthen their leadership skills and provides valuable insights on strategic operations within higher education.”

“I am very grateful to have been chosen to participate in the OACC Leadership Academy for Student Success,” added Rich. “The academy offered me the opportunity to work with fellow cohort members from other community colleges across the state of Ohio. My pathways project team looked at how to embrace a culture of evidence and commitment to use data and establish the necessary structures to engage faculty and staff around equitable student progress and outcomes, which is a problem faced by many colleges. This professional development experience has provided me with invaluable insights, knowledge, and connections with colleagues that I will be able to utilize in my work helping students reach their goals for many years to come.”

The OACC represents the presidents and trustees of the state’s 22 public two-year institutions that work to advance community colleges through policy, advocacy, professional development, and strategic leadership. For more information, visit www.ohiocommunitycolleges.org.