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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Bryan Ashton, the chief strategy and growth officer of Trellis and head of Trellis Strategies. Trellis is a nonprofit corporation with a mission to develop and advance initiatives that grow individual economic mobility and expand community prosperity. Bryan's career trajectory has been marked by a deep commitment to enhancing the financial literacy and success of college students.

Ashton’s journey began at Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. He went on to get his Master’s of Education with a focus in Higher Education from Harvard’s Graduate School of Education.

Before starting with Trellis more than eight years ago, Ashton had spent six years working in financial wellness and student affairs at Ohio State, where he developed a keen understanding of the challenges students face in financing their education.

Ashton is also co-founder of the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance, a network of professionals dedicated to bringing together post-secondary organizations to inform national conversations that impact the financial wellness field, public policy and educational support services.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Ashton is a sought-after speaker and advocate for higher education reform. His work is driven by a belief in the transformative power of education and the importance of equitable access to financial resources. His commitment to student success is reflected in his leadership at Trellis, where he continues to champion initiatives that empower students to navigate the financial complexities of higher education with confidence and resilience. His approach combines data-driven research with community engagement, fostering collaborations that lead to meaningful policy changes and support services for students.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Jen Hazel and Jane Berger, the dynamic duo leading Owens Community College’s BIG Read program designed to foster understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives through literature and related activities. Their combined experiences and passions make them an exceptional team to promote literacy and community engagement.

Jen Hazel, a professor of English at Owens Community College for over 16 years, is known for her dedication to student success and educational innovation. She holds a Master of Arts in English from Eastern Michigan University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Toledo. Jen was awarded the American Association of Community Colleges' Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition in April 2022. She has significantly contributed to the college through various roles, including revamping the advising program, creating new student orientation experiences and developing campus student mentoring programs. Jen's commitment to accessible education is evident in her work with Open Educational Resources (OER), for which she has authored several Creative Commons Licensed materials.

Jane Berger, the director of Library Services at Owens Community College, brings her extensive experience in library sciences to the BIG Read. Berger's career in library services includes roles as a reference librarian, serials assistant and part-time circulation supervisor before becoming the library director. Her passion for literacy and sharing books was kindled during her time on the college’s Literacy Committee. Berger holds a Master's degree in Library and Information Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Public Relations from Wayne State University. Her previous experiences as a reference book editor and school librarian enrich her contributions to the college's library services.

Together, Hazel and Berger synergize their expertise and enthusiasm to lead the BIG Read, creating a platform that encourages the exploration of diverse perspectives through literature. This initiative under their guidance not only enriches the Owens Community College environment but also extends its impact to the surrounding communities.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Alex Boylan, the creator, executive producer and host of the TV series The College Tour. After winning CBS’s The Amazing Race shortly after graduating from Jacksonville University with a B.S. in International Business, Alex’s sense of adventure catapulted him into the limelight, creating a successful and dynamic entertainment career both in front of and behind the camera.

For nearly two decades, Alex has been a sought-after onscreen personality, having hosted the #1 food series on PBS At The Chef’s Table, the #1 animal series on PBS Animal Attractions, and over 100 segments for The Travel Channel. Additionally, Alex was Rachael Ray’s sidekick hosting Rach to the Rescue for her syndicated talk show, circumnavigated the world without a penny in his pocket as the star and creator of Around the World for Free, and spent two summers as the ‘National Ambassador’ on the CBS Buzz Tour.

Behind the lens, Alex has kept just as busy, garnering himself an Emmy nomination for producing The Steve Harvey Show. His creative talents have been recognized throughout the industry, and he has won multiple Webby Awards for his groundbreaking work on Around the World For Free, as well as an ADRIAN Award for his work on DreamJobbing.

With a passion for storytelling and an affinity for globetrotting, Alex has filmed in every U.S. state and over 60 countries around the world. His latest adventure has been exploring higher education through the American landscape, as creator, host and executive producer of The College Tour, for which he has gained recognition as a college expert, most recently being named one of Ed Tech Magazine’s Top 30 IT Higher Education Influencers to Follow in 2022.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Jason Kucsma, the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library Executive Director and Fiscal Officer, a role in which his Toledo roots play an influential part.

A graduate of Bowling Green State University, Jason's academic pursuits in Communications and American Culture Studies laid the groundwork for his professional trajectory. His entrepreneurial spirit manifested early on with the creation of Clamor magazine and the founding of Allied Media Projects, initiatives that underscored his commitment to independent media and the empowerment of communities.

Before stepping into library leadership, Jason was known for his distinctive pink hair and affinity for punk rock—a stark contrast to the innovative leader he is recognized as today. Upon completing his graduate studies in library science in Tucson, Arizona, Jason spent a decade in New York City, where he experienced significant professional and personal growth. Eventually, he decided to return to his evolving hometown of Toledo, accompanied by his wife and twin children.

As he assumed leadership at the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Jason was immediately tasked with navigating the library through the tumultuous times of the COVID-19 pandemic. His strategic vision for the library has been to establish it as a central hub for learning, community engagement, and support within northwest Ohio.

Jason's collaborative approach to leadership is also evident in his role as a co-chair of the Toledo Area Cultural Leaders and his participation on the boards of ConnecToledo and Mercy Health. A voracious reader, he manages to weave his passion for literature into his dedication to community service.

Having returned to Toledo, Jason has found a unique position where he can be both accessible and influential, engaging with local leaders to contribute to the region's development. His life in Toledo, shared with his family, is a testament to his blend of creativity, practicality, and deep commitment to enriching the cultural fabric of the Toledo Region.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Amy Wachob, the President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Northwest Ohio. Wachob earned her associate degree at Owens Community College and went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies from the University of Toledo. She joined Goodwill Industries in 1991. Over her 32 years with the organization, she has held various leadership and management roles, including retail director, vice president and chief operating officer. She attended Goodwill Industries International, their award-winning executive development program, in 2014.Wachob is an integral part of workforce support and training in northwest Ohio.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with the City of Toledo’s Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and Director of the Department of Housing and Community Development Rosalyn Clemens. Mayor Kapszukiewicz received a bachelor's degree from Marquette University in 1994 and a master's degree from the University of Michigan in 1996. Prior to his election to mayor, he served as Lucas County Treasurer, a Toledo city councilman and as a member of the Lucas County Board of Education. Director Clemens has bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Maryland. She has also completed National Development Council (NDC) Certification in Housing and Economic Development Finance. She moved to Toledo in 2019 to work for the City of Toledo.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Sara Burke, PT, DPT, the chair and assistant professor of the Owens Community College Physical Therapist Assistant Program. Dr. Burke has won several awards, including the Owens’ School of Nursing and Health Professions Teaching Excellence Award, the American Association of Community College Dale P. Parnell Faculty Distinction Recognition, and the Owens’ Presidential Teaching Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Ohio State University-Lima Campus and her doctorate in physical therapy at the University of Findlay. Dr. Burke began her Owens career in 2008 as an adjunct faculty member in the science department. She began teaching in the physical therapist assistant (PTA) program as an instructor in 2016 and rose to her current rank of assistant professor in 2021 and department chair in January 2023.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Wendy Pestrue, J.D., the President and CEO of the United Way of Greater Toledo. Pestrue has more than 20 years of nonprofit experience, with expertise in program strategy and fund development for agencies, medical centers and universities. Her experience includes notable institutions such as Ohio State’s Wexner Medical Center, Temple University College of Medicine, Texas Heart Institute and Bon Secours Virginia Health System.Her background includes frontline work in nursing, public education, government affairs and campaign finance. In her time with United Way of Greater Toledo, she has focused on a new collaborative model instrumental to informing program evaluation and investment. This includes a community analytics center, expanding 211 services and moving the organization to a more contemporary position leading the community in data-driven work to address basic needs.A native of Texas, Pestrue holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s in education from the University of Houston and a doctor of law from Capital University in Columbus.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Wendi Huntley, the Connecting Kids to Meals president since 2016. An accomplished attorney with nearly 30 years in corporate, litigation, intellectual property, sports and entertainment law, she established her own firm, SPEC Group, after working for a large law firm. The Toledo native earned her bachelor’s degree from Bowling Green State University and Juris Doctorate from the Ohio State College of Law. She is Chair of the HOPE Toledo Board, and on the Board of Directors for Mercy Health, Partners in Education of Toledo and Mobile Meals of Toledo.

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In this episode, Dr. Dione D. Somerville sits down with Christina Muryn, the city of Findlay mayor since 2020. The Findlay native graduated from the University of Findlay in 2014. While at the University of Findlay, she served as the student representative to the Board of Trustees, as Student Government Association President (for two terms), as a Dana Scholar, as Service Chair of Mortar Board Academic Honor Society, as Vice President of Aristos Eklektos Service Honor Society and as a founding member of Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society. Mayor Muryn is an active member of the community, with the Findlay Family YMCA Board of Directors, the Ohio Mayors Alliance and the United States Conference of Mayors Membership Committee. In 2017, she received the Northwest Ohio 20 Under 40 Award, and she is a recipient of the Zonta International Women In Business Scholarship.