The Venango Campus, previously a branch campus of PennWest University, formerly Clarion University, is now under the authority of the Oil Region Alliance following approval of the transfer of ownership by the state legislature and governor.
Seth Herrick, an alumnus of the campus, former UPMC project analyst and Leadership Venango participant, has been named Executive Director of the Oil Region Venango Campus. He will oversee educational programming, partnering with existing entities as well as expanding offerings to meet the training and workforce needs of our region.
ORA Vice President Debbie Sobina is coordinating facility operations during the transition of ownership, spending time at the campus to support current tenants and to address any operational issues that may arise.
ORA President and CEO John Phillips shared his excitement over the potential of the campus by saying, “Venango Campus has graduated students over the past 50 years who have gone on to serve as leaders and valued community members here in the Oil Region and across the country. We intend to continue this tradition of preparing students of all ages and disciplines to further their learning here in Venango County.”
John added, “This property also offers us the opportunity to include recreation and tourism activities, utilizing the pond and 65 acres of greenspace”.
John and Debbie remind us that much of the property and building space is currently in use, but more space is available for additional tenants, short term or longer.
Venango Technology Center’s licensed practical nurse (LPN) program moved to Montgomery Hall on the Venango Campus July 1 with adult students beginning classes July 30. The campus offers more space, which will allow for potentially increasing enrollment and provide for enhanced learning opportunities, according to Dr. Cynthia Cornelius, VTC’s Director of Nursing.
The Chamber will be hosting the upcoming Zingtrain workshop on August 7 at the campus. Ashley Smith, the Chamber’s Be Here manager, is excited to welcome more than 50 attendees to Rhoades Center for the full-day training. She notes, “This space is comfortable for guests, with plenty of parking, kitchen facilities for the caterer, and lodging available for the trainers who are coming from Michigan.”
If you’re interested in participating in the Zingtrain event, where you will learn about living servant leadership and managing ourselves, you can learn more here or by contacting Ashley at the Chamber.
Online registration is available at members.venangochamber.org/events/details/zingtrain-workshop-2024-2481. See more details below.
LIVING SERVANT LEADERSHIP & MANAGING OURSELVES
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7 • 8 AM—4:30 PM
The Be Here program is excited to announce the return of ZingTRAIN to the Venango area. This event is a full-day workshop on Living Servant Leadership and Managing Ourselves and will be relevant to anyone who is interested in doing their work in the way that thousands of progressive organizations have learned from Zingerman’s.
What you’ll learn: the Zingerman’s approach to servant leadership, how to give great service to staff and others, how to manage in an ethical manner, and more.
What’s included: full day training with a world-class trainer, light breakfast and lunch, mailed package of goodies from Zingerman’s, and a PDF workbook for training.
Visit venangochamber.org/events to register!
This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s August 2024 VenangoWorks! Newsletter.