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LeBron James Family Foundation executive director is an Ashland University graduate
Even after 30 years, Michele Campbell still cherishes her years at Ashland University. “To this day, I have lifelong friendships that were made there,” said the 1991 AU graduate. “Ashland helped shape me into a young professional and the leader that I am today.” Today, Campbell is leading the LeBron James Family Foundation (LJFF) as its executive director and oversees all of its I Promise Schools in her and James’ hometown of Akron, Ohio. “When it comes to…
Studying risk management at AU helps MBA grad with hurricane, earthquake, other disaster studies
While working in safety design for a steel construction company, Amer Hamad Issa Abukhalaf wanted to learn more about risk management outside the context of structural design and construction. “So, I started a master’s degree with an executive management major at Ashland University,” said Abukhalaf, who earned a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering at Hashemite University in Jordan. “During my masters, I learned how to identify, analyze, prioritize, treat…
Jen McConnell ’06 to be featured on HGTV’s House Hunters on Aug. 30
Jen McConnell, a 2006 graduate of Ashland University and co-owner of a highly successful real estate agency in Charleston, S.C., will be on HGTV’s popular show House Hunters on Wednesday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 p.m. The episode is the first of House Hunter’s new season. Accent magazine featured McConnell, her successful business, her young son’s battle with pediatric cancer and the foundation that it inspired, in the Fall 2022 issue. That original story is…
Master's degrees and more - Ashland University a big part of the Nickoli/Miller family
When it was announced in April that Ashland University had been recognized as a 2023-24 Best Graduate School for education by U.S. News & World Report, AJ Nickoli didn’t waste any time commenting about it on social media. “Whole Nickoli family went to grad school here,” the AU assistant football coach wrote on the university’s Twitter post about the recognition. “This is LEGIT!!” “My mom, dad, grandpa and uncle all got their master’s at AU,”…
AU graduate named chief commercial officer for global medical technology company
Ashland University has helped James Kaufman in many ways throughout his decades-long career. First, it allowed him the flexibility to take remote and night classes at the Ohio State University Marion campus and Marion Technical College for his bachelor’s degree while working full time in the 1980s. Then the training Kaufman received from its business administration and marketing programs was a valuable asset when expanding his expertise to include a medical…
Graduate courses at AU help student with science background 'think like a businessperson'
Ruth Ann Pardo has learned her leadership skills from a variety of sources, including Ashland University. Pardo is working toward a master’s degree in business analytics through AU that she plans to complete by next spring. She has three decades of experience in health care, which recently earned her a spot on the Marquis Who’s Who, which, according to a news release from Marquis publications, has chronicled for 125 years…
MBA graduate recognized in the Marquis Who’s Who
After several colleagues suggested she consider it, and carefully weighing the pros and cons, Shari Thomas enrolled in Ashland University’s MBA program. “I decided to enroll in the MBA program specifically because of the program’s flexibility and support of a work/life balance,” said Thomas who completed the program in 2002. “As a mother of two young children and working full time, I intentionally chose to attend one course, each semester, for four…
Ashland University's Accent on the Individual motto guides MBA grad to new job as Kentucky State president
Koffi Akakpo was planning on attending Ohio State University for his Master of Business Administration degree, until he had a change of heart. “My human resources director, Pat Schell, recommended Ashland University,” said Akakpo, who was working full time at a company in Mansfield, Ohio, at the time. “When I looked into it, it had an MBA program with an executive strategic planning edge, and it was closer to home.” Akakpo said he is grateful he decided to…
Ten COBE students named Emerson Scholars for 2023-24 academic year
ASHLAND, Ohio – Ten students from the Ashland University Dauch College of Business and Economics (COBE) were selected as Emerson Scholars for the 2023-24 academic year. The official announcement and recognition came during a luncheon last month (April 13). Each of the Emerson Scholars will receive a $3,500 scholarship, an award in addition to the student’s financial aid package. To be selected for the scholarship, a student must be a business major (other…
AU launching new academic program in industrial and systems engineering
ASHLAND, Ohio – Ashland University is launching a new academic program—industrial and systems engineering—which will be housed in the Dauch College of Business and Economics. The bachelor’s program has been in development for almost two years and is enrolling students for this fall after recently being approved by both the Higher Learning Commission and the Ohio Department of Higher Education. “We are grateful to Bob and Jan Archer for helping us launch this…
