FSU, ACM, ACPS Co-Host Leadership Allegany Education Day

FSU, ACM, ACPS Co-Host Leadership Allegany Education Day

Nov 14, 2024 8:15 AM

On Wednesday, Nov. 13, Frostburg State University in partnership with Allegany College of Maryland (ACM) and Allegany County Public Schools (ACPS), hosted the Chamber of Commerce's annual Leadership Allegany Education Day. This year's theme was The Power of Education to Ensure Success in a Changing World.

The Class of 2025 began the day at ACM and had the opportunity to participate in a CEO panel discussion with Dr. Lawrence Weill, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, FSU; Dr. Cynthia Bambara, President, ACM; and Mr. Jeff Blank, ACPS Superintendent of Schools.

Following the panel discussion, class members learned more about ACM through a video and interactive game and took part in a recovery simulation experience with ACM students. They ended their time at ACM learning about the power of education and workforce development with three breakout sessions hosted by Brandon Hoover, Director of Criminal Justice, ACM; Paula Fuller, Director of Respiratory Therapy, ACM; and Marie Perrin Miller, Director of Forest Technology, ACM.

The second part of Education Day was hosted by the public school system at the Center for Career and Technical Education. The class heard from a panel of ACPS administrators including Dr. Kim Kalbaugh, Chief Academic Officer; Debbie Metheny, Director of Student Services and Special Education; Jackie Enright, Supervisor of Elementary Education; Breann D'Atri, Coordinator of Workforce Development and Apprenticeships; and Joe Brewer, Supervisor of Career and Technical Education. The group departed for FSU following lunch and a tour of the Career Center's various skill areas.

Gathering in Frostburg's new Children's Literature Centre (CLC) housed in the recently opened Education and Health Sciences Center (EHSC), the class was welcomed to campus by the Dean of the College of Education and Health & Natural Sciences, Dr. Boyce Williams. Prior to taking a tour of the EHSC, Dr. Sarah O'Neal, associate professor and Director of the CLC, spoke about their new space, which is the focal point for the study and dissemination of children's literature, and Amy Shimko, Director of the Career and Professional Development Center, explained how the center provides services to help students and alumni through every step of their job hunt.

On their tour of FSU's ESCH, the class made stops at the Student Health Center and Student Counseling Center, where they heard from Chrissy Burke, Director of Health Services, and Christopher Lyon, LMSW, staff social worker; the nursing simulation labs where they heard from Dr. Kara Platt, associate professor and Chair of the Department of Nursing; a health science lab with Dr. Karen Keller, biology professor; and FSU's athletic training facilities, where they heard from Dr. Jackie Durst, associate professor of kinesiology, and Lauren Pacinelli, assistant professor of kinesiology. Class members ended their day with a tour of the President's suite at Bobcat Stadium led by Rubin Stevenson, Senior Associate Director of Athletics.

Leadership Allegany Education Day topic day chairs included David Jones, Vice President of Advancement and Community Relations and Executive Director of the ACM Foundation; Courtney Jensen, ACM Director of Grants and Development; Joe Brewer, ACPS Supervisor of Career and Technology Education; Mia Cross, FSU Director of Communications; Dr. Sara-Beth Bittinger, FSU Associate Vice President for Academic Operations and Fiscal Affairs; Kayla Mathew, FSU Alumni Relations and Events Specialist; and Dr. Artie Travis, FSU Vice President for Student Affairs.