Home » Sullivan University announces members of N. Ky. advisory board

Sullivan University announces members of N. Ky. advisory board

FORT MITCHELL, Ky. – Sullivan University Center for Learning-Northern Kentucky has formed a local advisory board that includes more than 30 of the region’s top business, education and government leaders.

The Sullivan University Northern Kentucky Advisory Board has a mission of providing input, insight and direction to administrators, faculty and staff as Sullivan University focuses on development education programs and initiatives that will reflect and respond to community and workforce needs.

“The Sullivan University Center for Learning-Northern Kentucky has assembled a team of local thought leaders who have tremendous knowledge of the region and who will be invaluable helping us pinpoint and fine-tune our education offerings to Northern Kentucky and Southwest Ohio students and employers,” said Dr. Vicki Berling, director of the Center for Learning-Northern Kentucky.

The first meeting of the Advisory Board is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 1, in Covington.

Many of the Advisory Board members are leaders in the industries and professions that Sullivan University is focusing on in Northern Kentucky: Logistics and Transportation Management; Business Administration; Healthcare Management; Hospitality Management; Conflict Management; as well as all of the outstanding online programs offered by Sullivan University.

Sullivan University expertise and experience in Hospitality Management includes its renowned National Center for Hospitality Studies, which will provide an education, training and workforce boost to the region’s $400 million tourism and hospitality industry, said Eric Summe, President and CEO of meetNKY/Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“With a long and successful history in hospitality education and with a local emphasis on hospitality management sources, Sullivan University’s presence in Northern Kentucky will help ensure a pipeline of future employees and managers for the region’s booming hospitality industry,” Summe said.

Jerry Schmits of Fort Thomas, recently named President and CEO of the Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance, said he wanted to be part of the Advisory Board to work with Sullivan and other Northern Kentucky leaders on a curriculum and programs that will truly met the needs of students and employers.

“Sullivan is very focused on education and training specific to regional employers, which is a major concern of the local business community,” Schmits said. ” I wanted to be at the table as Sullivan and the advisory board develop a curriculum that may not be what some consider a traditional education, but one that will fill a need in Northern Kentucky by addressing workforce development through training and career-focused education.”

In addition to Summe and Schmits, Sullivan University Center for Learning-Northern Kentucky Advisory Board includes the following members:

Jason Ashbrook, Northern Kentucky One Stop
Patricia Bourn, CEO Resources
Jay Brewer, Superintendent Dayton Independent Schools
Dan Cahill, Horan/Northern Kentucky Education Council
Michelle Cestaric, Staffmark
Nancy Costello, Skyward
Chris Courtney, Boone County Fiscal Court
Karen Finan, Gilman Partners/Northern Kentucky Education Council
Talia Frye, Brighton Center
Jeff Greelish, Verst Logistics
Irma Gonzales, JTM Food Group
Jim Hummeldorf, UPS
Steven Igyarto, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Kristin Leadingham, VonLehman & Co.
Donna Massey, Kellogg Snacks
MaryAnn McGowen, Duke Energy
Rosanne Nields, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Polly Page, Northern Kentucky Education Council
Chris Reinersman, DHL
Colette Ridge, Expense Reduction Analysts
Brian Robinson, Principal Highlands High School
Brian Ruschman, C-Forward
Carissa Schutzman, Gateway Community and Technical College
Angie Taylor, Taylor Career Strategies
Joe Westendorf, Convergys

Louisville-based Sullivan University, which has offering career-based education programs for more than 50 years, expanded to Northern Kentucky earlier this year and is located in the former Columbia Sussex building on Grandview Drive, which is adjacent to Interstate 75 in Fort Mitchell.

Sullivan University, which celebrates its 54th anniversary this year, already has established relationships in Northern Kentucky by forging articulation agreements with the Campbell County, Grant County, Williamstown and Fort Thomas school districts for its renowned culinary program at the National Center for Hospitality Studies at Sullivan University, which allows students to use high-school credits in certain culinary programs toward their degrees at Sullivan.

Sullivan also offers Dale Carnegie Training in Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati. And it offers a robust online offering of classes and programs, including an executive Masters of Business Administration (MBA) program that is designed for students too busy to attend classes.
For more information on how to enroll for fall classes visit www.Sullivan.edu.