Workforce development, globalization to highlight Wright State University’s Regional Summit on Aug. 15

Wright State President David R. Hopkins will open the university’s annual Regional Summit, which will focus on workforce development, globalization and higher education.

Workforce development, globalization and higher education will take center stage at Wright State University’s annual Regional Summit.

The daylong summit, which is expected to draw business leaders, educators, government officials and others, will be held at the Wright State Nutter Center on Friday, Aug. 15, beginning at 8 a.m.

Wright State President David R. Hopkins will open the summit with remarks from State Sen. Chris Widener on the new state strategy for federal and military jobs.

A panel on globalization highlights the afternoon, and includes State Sen. Peggy Lehner; Col. Cassie Barlow, former 88th Air Base Wing and installation commander at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; Lauren McGarity, globalization liaison for the Ohio Board of Regents; Erik Collins, director of community and economic development for Montgomery County; Jared Ebbing, director of community/economic development for Mercer County; Pete Williams, economic development specialist for Greene County; and Michelle Streeter-Ferrari, director of Wright State’s Center of International Education.

“Workforce development and globalization are increasingly important to colleges and universities as they strive to serve their communities in ways that are relevant for driving the state’s economy and its quality of life, as well as serving the needs of 21st century students,” said Hopkins. “The Regional Summit is an opportunity for the region to come together and exchange ideas to move us forward.”

The summit will also feature addresses by educators, lawmakers and government officials and roundtable discussions involving attendees.

Speakers will include State Sen. Bill Beagle; Dayton City Commissioner Matt Joseph; Dennis Andersh, chief operating officer of the Wright State Research Institute; Tony Ortiz, Wright State’s associate vice president of Latino affairs; Kristin Sobolik, dean of the College of Liberal Arts; and Michael Wiehe, director of Wright State’s Center for Urban and Public Affairs.

Speakers will address how higher education serves the workforce development needs of the region and state and the increasing need for globalizing education to create opportunities for the economy, including sharing specific examples and asking for participants’ feedback and ideas.

The annual Regional Summit, which began in 2007, is designed to connect Wright State with top business leaders of the region. The university has used feedback from the summits to help shape its programs and initiatives.

For more information and to register for the Regional Summit, please visit: wright.edu/regional-summit.