Higher Ed organization relocates to Dayton
New American Colleges and Universities can help elevate region.
Dayton’s importance to the national higher education community grew stronger with the relocation of the New American Colleges and Universities to the city.
NAC&U completed its move from Laguna Woods, California, to Dayton earlier this year. The organization, founded in 1995, serves independent, selective colleges and universities across the country. The organization is meant to “enrich faculty work and improve student outcomes,” according to its website.
The closest member universities are Ohio Northern University in Ada and John Carroll University near Cleveland.
Sean Creighton, the former president of the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education based in Dayton for the past 15 years, was chosen as the new president for NAC&U last year and began working in his role in March.
The organizations relocation to Dayton is a benefit for both NAC&U and the region, Creighton said.
Why did the organization relocate to Dayton?
NAC&U is an academic network with members around the country. While I had the chance to move to California, it made better sense for me, my family, and NAC&U to be in Dayton, and the board supported the relocation. Also, the visionary behind NAC&U, renowned educator Ernest Boyer, was born in Dayton. It seemed only appropriate the organization return home on the eve of its 25th anniversary.
What are the benefits to the Dayton area?
There are common benefits from the relocation like the economic impact from spending on local goods and services and hosting programs and events. Additionally, NAC&U’s location in Dayton helps elevate awareness of the region to a national audience in higher education. We also work with larger associ
NAC&U
ations and partner companies that would now become connected to Dayton tangentially. We are excited to be here and look forward to working with city and state leaders on increasing our impact in Dayton and Ohio.
NAC&U doesn’t currently have any member schools locally. Will being headquartered in the area change that?
The members of NAC&U are independent colleges and universities with a simi- brate our 25th anniversary lar approach to higher edu- next year. We are building cation. We are intentionally upon the vision of Ernest spread across the nation in Boyer, who called for a new order to maintain a non-com- American college that is conI had the privilege and petitive network of similar nected and committed to honor of working with the institutions. This enables us improving, in a very intenSOCHE member colleges to create a trusted alliance tional way, the human conand universities for over for sharing strategies, data dition. We are focusing our fifteen years. Together, we and resources and, conse- resources on preparing stuworked collaboratively to quently, giving our mem- dents — America’s future procreate educated, employed, bers a competitive advanfessionals — with the skills and engaged citizens. Simi- tage in higher education. and knowledge to improve larly, at NAC&U, we recognize There is definitely the possi- lives and communities worldthe power of collaboration bility of a member from the wide. This means expand- when addressing common Dayton region being invited ing our programs in civic challenges or exploring new into NAC&U in the future and global education for facopportunities that advance if they are interested and ulty and students and creteaching and learning and a good fit. The University ating collegiate networking student success. Further, this of Dayton, Xavier Univeropportunities that enhance role is a perfect fit with my sity and Cedarville Univerteaching and learning as well scholarly research on civic sity would be obvious candi- as operations at our memengagement and my prac- dates, though UD’s student ber campuses. Also, it is a tice of academic collaborapopulation is bit larger than primary goal to make sure tion, both of which are essen- the typical NAC&U member. NAC&U members grow strontial components of NAC&U. ger and their ability to integrate liberal education, professional studies, and civic engagement is sustained in perpetuity.
What are your primary goals?
This is an exciting time for NAC&U as we will cele
How has your previous experience made you a good fit for the role? What are the benefits of being in Dayton for NAC&U?
Dayton is a great fit being situated in the middle of the country. NAC&U is now located at the center of its membersh ip, making it easy to fly in every direc- tion to visit campuses. Also, we think Dayton has what NAC&U needs as we enter into the organization’s next phase of growth. There is excellent talent coming out of the area universities for when we need to hire more employees and there is a good infrastructure for supporting programs and operations. Plus, the Dayton region is fortunate to have so many amazing colleges and universities, which makes us feel very welcomed and part of an academic community.
What have your first weeks on the job been like?
It has been a whirlwind. I’ve been reading a lot about the organization and its members. I kicked off a member tour in March, meeting with the campus leadership to gain their perspective on what they value most, where we can make improvements, and what are the growth areas for the future. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity figuring out how to maintain a strong, valuable network for a national organization. Since day one, I’ve been tirelessly focused on making sure we honor Boyer’s vision by creating an innovative future for NAC&U that truly improves the human condition.
Hardy Diagnostics located at 429 South Pioneer Blvd. in Springboro will hold its Ribbon Cutting Cere- mony/Open House from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, June 6, 2019. Businesses and the commu- nity are invited for tours and refreshments.
For more information, call 805-346-2766.
Newcomer Funeral Service has been serving fami- lies in Dayton for more than 23 years from its locations in North Dayton, Kettering, and Beavercreek. They’ve announced the opening of a fourth funeral home at 820 Miamisburg-Centerville Road to better serve Dayton and surrounding areas.
Owner Ren Newcomer said, “We are very excited to bring our reputation of providing high-quality service combined with low prices to families in this area.”
Families can visit their website at NewcomerDayton. com and take a virtual tour of the new funeral home. Families can also call 937- 865-8000 or stop by and tour in person.
All prices, services and merchandise will be the same as our current funeral homes in the Dayton area.
U-Haul Company of Massachusetts and Ohio, Inc. announced that Grocery Lane has signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the Dayton community.
Grocery Lane at 1451 Troy St. will offer U-Haul trucks, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pick-up for boxes.
The arrival of U-Haul Truck Share 24/7 is revolutionizing the moving industry through its more convenient, more secure way to pick up and return a truck. U-Haul live verification technology allows rental transactions to be carried out entirely on a smartphone at any hour – day or night. There are no membership fees. Simply visit uhaul.com to create an online account.
Normal business hours are 8 a.m.-7 p.m. every day. Reserve U-Haul products at this dealer location by callin g 937-298-1339 or visiting https://www. uhaul.com/Locations/ Truck-Rentals-near-Dayton-OH-45404/017396/.
Grocery Lane owner Deep Patel is proud to team with the industry leader in do-it-yourself moving and self-storage to better meet the demands of Montgomery County.
U-Haul and Grocery Lane are striving to benefit the environment through sustainability initiatives. Truck sharing is a core U-Haul sustainability business practice that allows individuals to access a fleet of trucks that is larger than what they could access on an individual basis.