FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2024
Contact: Tom Walsh
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Association of Community Colleges (OACC) has named Crystal Jones as its new senior director of workforce partnerships. Jones, who most recently served as vice president of marketing, diversity, and community impact at Clark State College, will help the association strengthen partnerships to address Ohio’s workforce training needs while also serving as director of the Ohio Semiconductor Collaboration Network.
“Crystal Jones joins us at an exciting time for Ohio community colleges when fulfilling new career opportunities are being created for our students and the statewide collaboration we’ve established with employers and community partners has never been more critical,” said Tom Walsh, interim president of the Ohio Association of Community Colleges. “Her impressive skill set and record of experience will help Ohio’s community colleges and their industry partners to build upon their successes and strengthen the talent pipeline that employers need in state’s diversifying economy.”
Looking forward to her new role working with all of Ohio’s 23 community colleges and statewide business and industry partners, Jones said: “Collaboration is key when it comes to helping students find their path to a rewarding career, and I look forward to working with our industry partners, college-access networks, and government agencies on our collective efforts to develop workforce solutions that can help students and employers succeed.”
Jones comes to OACC with more than 17 years of experience in academia and marketing, and over a decade of professional experience building relationships with community organizations and businesses. During her tenure at Clark State, Crystal was selected to participate in several programs for emerging leaders in higher education and the community, including participating in the inaugural OACC’s Leadership Academy for Student Success and the Thomas Lakin Institute for Mentored Leadership.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business management with an organizational leadership and human service leadership focus from Urbana University and an MBA degree from American InterContinental University. In 2023, Jones earned her Doctorate in Education with a specialization in leadership in higher education from Capella University.
The OACC represents the presidents and trustees of the state’s 23 public two-year institutions, working to advance community colleges through policy advocacy and professional development. For more information, please visit www.OhioCommunityColleges.Org.