WASHINGTON, DC –U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) welcomed 33 Ohio college presidents to Washington as he hosted his 12th annual College Presidents Conference today. Brown hosts the annual conference to help connect Ohio college presidents with one another, as well as lawmakers, federal agencies, and other education experts. A full list of college leaders in attendance can be found HERE.

“We have such diversity in higher education in Ohio – today’s conference brings together 33 college presidents from public and private schools, from schools large and small, from research institutions and community colleges. The purpose of the conference isn’t only for the presidents to hear from experts—it’s for the experts, and for me and my staff, to hear from our Ohio leaders in higher education. They’re the ones who know their schools best – they know what innovations are working, and they know the biggest challenges their students face,” said Brown.

The theme of this year’s conference is “A Deep Dive into Higher Education Act Reauthorization.” At the conference, leaders will hear from Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee as well as Diane Auer Jones, Deputy Undersecretary for the Department of Education. Participants will also hear from a panel on college access and completion as well as college affordability and accountability. 

Brown was joined on a news conference call to highlight the conference today by Dr. Cynthia Jackson-Hammond of Central State University in Wilberforce. Dr. Jackson-Hammond is serving as a member of the host committee for Brown’s College President’s Conference this year and also served on the host committee in 2013 and 2015.

“I have attended six of Senator Brown’s Ohio Presidents’ College Conferences and I always leave inspired and reenergized by the presenters and the conversations with my colleagues. The issues discussed are relevant, informative and forward thinking! Ohio is so fortunate to have Senator Brown who brings together bipartisan thought leaders for a stronger Ohio,” said President Jackson-Hammond.

Brown also invited members of the Ohio congressional delegation to participate in a luncheon on Wednesday. During this year’s lunch, college presidents will hear from Brown, as well as Sen. Rob Portman (R-OH), and U.S. Reps. Marcia Fudge, Bob Latta, Steve Stivers, Bill Johnson and Warren Davidson.

During the Presidents Conference, Brown announced Bowling Green State University will host Brown’s 2019 Propel Ohio: Collegiate Leadership Summit on Friday, November 15, 2019.  The one-day leadership program will feature Brown, keynote speaker Monica Ramirez, founder of Justice for Migrant Women, guest speakers and workshop facilitators who will actively engage students on issues affecting Ohio. The summit will also include an engagement fair. Each of Ohio’s two-year, four-year public and private colleges and universities and regional campuses are invited to appoint undergraduate students and an administrator to attend the program. More information will be available on Brown’s website in the coming weeks.

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