DR. SUNIL AHUJA, Ph.D (MODERATOR)

President, Lakeland Community College

Dr. Sunil Ahuja, Ph.D. became the President of Lakeland Community College in April of 2024 after serving as Provost and Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs at Shawnee State University in Portsmouth, Ohio, where he carried a broad portfolio of responsibilities, with leadership and oversight over both academic and student affairs divisions of the university. He is particularly proud of spearheading efforts leading to the development of the C.H. Lute School of Business, the School of Nursing, and a focus on health and human services-related programs at Shawnee State, all with direct connections to workforce development, greater access and opportunities for education, and for economic growth in Southern Ohio.

Dr. Ahuja holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Nebraska. He has published nine books and numerous articles and book chapters on American legislative politics and congressional elections and taught widely in the field of American government.

JERRY CIRINO (PANELIST)

District 18, Ohio State Senator & Committee Chair for Workforce & Higher Education

Senator Jerry C. Cirino is currently serving his first term in the Ohio Senate, representing the people of Lake county and portions of Cuyahoga county. He brings proven leadership and considerable business expertise to state government, as well as a keen understanding of local government from his four recent years as a Lake County Commissioner.

Senator Cirino spent many years leading companies in the medical device arena. Now retired, he was the founding CEO of SourceOne Healthcare Technologies in Mentor and was instrumental in bringing hundreds of new jobs to Lake County and Ohio through his work as a business leader.

Active in his community, Senator Cirino has previously served as chairman of the board of trustees of Lakeland Community College and was a board member of Lake Heath Systems and Lake Erie College. 

STEPHEN D. DACKIN (PANELIST)

Director, Ohio Department of Education & Workforce

With more than 40 years of experience in education, Stephen D. Dackin has dedicated his career to serving children and families. Before becoming the director of Ohio’s Department of Education and Workforce under Governor Mike DeWine, Dackin held roles as a classroom educator, school leader, and higher education professional.

His leadership in Reynoldsburg City Schools led to improved student performance, innovative STEM programs, and the transformation of a large high school into college and career academies. 

As superintendent of school and community partnerships at Columbus State Community College, he expanded partnerships and programs, contributing to the Central Ohio Compact’s goal of 60% postsecondary degree attainment by 2025. 

Director Dackin continues to elevate the role partnerships play in achieving statewide goals, and is a member of several education, community, and workforce boards.

CHERYL RICE, Ph. D (PANELIST)

Vice Chancellor, Higher Education Workforce Alignment, Ohio Department of Higher Education

Dr. Rice joined the Ohio Department of Higher Education in August 2016 with sixteen years of higher education experience including the development of the State’s higher education strategic plan metrics and the implementation of the degree offerings which includes the support, diversity, and service needs of all students. In her role of Vice Chancellor of Higher Education Workforce Alignment, Dr. Rice serves as Chair of the Ohio Cybersecurity Collaborative (OC3) Education and Workforce Development Committee and Ohio Cyber Range Institute Advisory Board, oversees several grant programs and initiatives including Choose Ohio First STEM Scholarship, Talent Ready, and Regional Aligned Priorities in Delivering Skills (RAPIDS). Dr. Rice also works with the Perkins/Ohio Technical Centers programming across the state and the ODHE collaborative with the Ohio’s TechCred program, the technology focused upskilling opportunity for the education and business communities.

JULIE SZELTNER (PANELIST)

Director of Talent Engagement, Team NEO

Julie Szeltner is the Director of Talent Engagement at Team NEO, the regional economic development agency for Northeast Ohio. In this role, Julie is responsible for developing relationships with the region’s 25+ postsecondary institutions to better connect their talent to businesses. She is also charged with developing and implementing a regional strategy to grow talent pipelines for in-demand industries, which is where the work of the Cleveland Talent Alliance falls.

Before Team NEO, Julie worked for 15 years at College Now Greater Cleveland, a college access organization. She earned a B.A. in History from Cleveland State University and a M.S. in Adult Education from the University of Akron.