Franklin University Celebrates Employees’ Completion of SOCHE Leadership Development Program

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Franklin University, a recognized leader in online education for working adults, is proud to celebrate five team members who successfully completed the 2024–2025 Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) Leadership Development Program: Dr. Nimet Alpay, Laurie Crawford, John Fulton, Dr. Denise Kinsey-Bergstrom, and Dr. Ladorian Williams.

Designed to strengthen leadership capacity across higher education, this year’s program partnered with the Miami Valley Nonprofit Collaborative (MVNC) to provide targeted professional development for new and experienced front-line leaders. Over the course of seven months, participants engaged in more than 25 hours of interactive learning, gaining tools, resources, and strategies to enhance their leadership impact. Each graduate completed the program with a personalized leadership development plan.

Participation in programs like SOCHE’s reinforces the depth of expertise among Franklin’s faculty and staff, highlighting their commitment to continuous learning, leadership growth, and delivering a high-impact educational experience for students. It reflects a shared dedication to staying at the forefront of higher education and bringing that knowledge directly into the classroom and campus community.

“This program continues to demonstrate the strong demand for intentional leadership development across our institutions,” said SOCHE President Dr. Cassie Barlow. “We’re proud to support the professional growth of faculty and staff through meaningful partnerships and practical learning experiences.”

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).