OCTC's Simon Selected for National ACTE Leadership Program

by Bernie Hale

Owensboro, KY (02/12/2020) — Owensboro Community & Technical College (OCTC) is proud to announce that Jason Simon has been selected as a Fellow for the 2020 Postsecondary Leadership Success Program at the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE)- sponsored by ECMC Foundation (PLSP-ECMCF). The program's review committee selected 20 participants for the 2019-2020 cohort. The PLSP-ECMCF will support current and aspiring leaders in career and technical education (CTE). The goal is to provide professional and career growth opportunities to the next generation of leaders at nonprofits and postsecondary institutions offering CTE programs.

Jason Simon is OCTC's Director of the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (AMTEC) where he helps lead a multi-state educational initiative with over 70 educational and industry partners. He is especially passionate about bringing industry and education to the same table in order to fill the manufacturing skilled trade shortage across the US. Simon is a proud husband to his wife Anastacia and father to six beautiful children. He is also a Marine Corps veteran where he served with 1st Marine Division.

Simon has a Bachelor of Science degree from Western Kentucky University in Systems Management. He began his career at OCTC in 2001 as a video production manager. In 2013 he moved into instructional design and in 2018 was promoted to work with AMTEC as an Innovation Manager prior to becoming the Director.

This is ACTE's second cohort of 20 CTE postsecondary professionals in leadership development activities. These activities include creating a personal development plan, attending virtual and in-person professional development sessions, sharing best practices with the field and engaging with a mentor. The goal of the program is to help participants develop and refine their skills in CTE organizational leadership and management; build critical skills in communication, collaboration, networking, problem solving and use of time/resources; and hone their ability to facilitate institutional change. The PLSP-ECMCF also includes a research study to help determine what efforts best contribute to leadership development among postsecondary CTE professionals and the creation of resources that can be widely distributed to support others in the field.

AMTEC's mission is to create and sustain an innovative, responsive and standards-based workforce development system that meets the advanced manufacturing industry's skill requirements. AMTEC continues to develop and provide turn-key solutions for producing workers with the technical and critical-thinking skills to analyze issues, solve difficult or complex problems, and manage output. For more information on AMTEC collaborative partnerships with industry and education, please contact Jason Simon, atjason.simon@kctcs.edu or 270-686-4616.

About ACTE The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation's largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, school counselors, guidance and career development professionals and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities.

About ECMC Foundation ECMC Foundation is a Los Angeles-based, nationally focused foundation whose mission is to inspire and to facilitate improvements that affect educational outcomes-especially among underserved populations-through evidence-based innovation. It is one of several affiliates under the ECMC Group enterprise based in Minneapolis. ECMC Foundation makes investments in two focus areas: College Success and Career Readiness; and uses a spectrum of funding structures, including strategic grantmaking and program-related investments, to invest in both nonprofit and for-profit ventures. Working with grantees, partners and peers, ECMC Foundation's vision is for all learners to unlock their fullest potential. Learn more about ECMC Foundation by visiting ecmcfoundation.org and ECMC Group by visiting ecmcgroup.org.

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