Owens Community College

Owens Community College. Owens Community College is a public community college located in Perrysburg, Ohio, with additional campuses in Toledo, Ohio and Findlay, Ohio. The college was founded in 1965 and is named after Eleanor Owens, a local Toledo, Ohio philanthropist. Owens Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges and the National Junior College Athletic Association, which includes institutions like Cuyahoga Community College and Columbus State Community College.

● History

Owens Community College was established in 1965, with the first classes being held in Toledo, Ohio at the Toledo Public Schools' Devilbiss High School. The college's founding was made possible through the efforts of local leaders, including Michael J. Damas, who served as the college's first president, and Eleanor Owens, a prominent Toledo, Ohio philanthropist. The college's early years were marked by rapid growth, with the establishment of new campuses in Perrysburg, Ohio and Findlay, Ohio, and the development of new programs in fields like nursing at the University of Toledo and engineering at the University of Michigan. Owens Community College has also partnered with other institutions, such as Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University, to provide students with transfer opportunities and access to resources like the Ohio Supercomputer Center.

● Campus

The main campus of Owens Community College is located in Perrysburg, Ohio, on a 280-acre site that features a mix of modern and historic buildings, including the Toledo Museum of Art-designed Center for Fine and Performing Arts. The campus is also home to a variety of facilities, including the Owens Community College Library, which provides access to resources like the OhioLINK consortium, and the Student Health and Wellness Center, which offers services like counseling and health education through partnerships with organizations like the American Red Cross and the National Alliance on Mental Illness. In addition to the main campus, Owens Community College also operates campuses in Toledo, Ohio and Findlay, Ohio, which offer a range of programs and services, including workforce development training and adult education courses through partnerships with organizations like the Toledo Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Findlay-Hancock County Community Foundation.

● Academics

Owens Community College offers a wide range of academic programs, including associate's degree and certificate programs in fields like business at the University of Findlay, health sciences at the Medical University of Ohio, and technology at the Ohio State University College of Engineering. The college is also home to a variety of transfer programs, which allow students to complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree at Owens Community College before transferring to a four-year institution like Bowling Green State University or University of Toledo. Owens Community College has articulation agreements with a number of institutions, including Toledo University, University of Findlay, and Tiffin University, which provide students with a seamless transfer process and access to resources like the Ohio Board of Regents and the Higher Education Compact of Greater Cleveland.

● Student Life

Owens Community College offers a range of student life activities and organizations, including student clubs and organizations like the Owens Community College Student Senate and the National Society of Leadership and Success, which provide opportunities for students to get involved in community service and leadership development through partnerships with organizations like the United Way of Greater Toledo and the Toledo Area Humane Society. The college also offers a variety of support services, including academic advising and counseling, which are designed to help students succeed in their academic and personal pursuits through partnerships with organizations like the Toledo Public Schools and the Lucas County Mental Health Board. Students at Owens Community College can also participate in study abroad programs, which provide opportunities for students to study in countries like China and Japan through partnerships with institutions like the Shanghai University and the University of Tokyo.

● Athletics

Owens Community College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association and competes in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference, which includes institutions like Cuyahoga Community College and Lorain County Community College. The college offers a range of athletic programs, including men's basketball and women's volleyball, which compete against teams from institutions like Sinclair Community College and Edison State Community College. Owens Community College has a strong athletic tradition, with teams winning conference championships and national championships in sports like wrestling and golf through partnerships with organizations like the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the United States Olympic Committee. The college's athletic facilities include the Owens Community College Athletic Center, which features a gymnasium and fitness center that are also used by community organizations like the Toledo YMCA and the Perrysburg Parks and Recreation Department.