Owens trustee to chair statewide association

Mary Beth Hammond, a longtime member of the Owens Community College Board of Trustees and current vice chair, has been selected as the next chair-elect for the Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC). Hammond has served on the OACC executive committee for two and a half years, most recently as the secretary. She has also served on the Owens Board of Trustees since 2013, previously as the chair. "It is one of the most rewarding volunteer positions I have ever held," Hammond said. "As a community college graduate, it is very important to me for individuals to be able to afford getting the skills they need to continue to grow in whatever field, opportunity or promotion they choose. I believe community colleges serve that role better than anyone." The OACC represents Ohio's 22 community colleges, advocating for policies and partnerships that advance access, affordability, workforce alignment and student success statewide. Hammond was selected for her two-year term as chair-elect of the statewide association by a vote of the membership, which includes 22 community colleges across Ohio. Hammond graduated from the University of Northwestern Ohio and retired from Fifth Third Bank in Findlay, with more than 30 years of financial experience as senior private banker and vice president. She is the past president of the Bowling Green Chamber of Commerce and a graduate of The Jo Ann Davidson Ohio Leadership Institute. She was also recognized by the Findlay Rotary Club with a "Service Above Self" award in 2022 and is a past ATHENA award recipient in Wood and Hancock counties.