Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville

About Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville

“Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville” is an award-winning podcast featuring a variety of leaders in education, public service, business and civic life. Host Dr. Dione D. Somerville is the president of Owens Community College, a premier two-year college serving students across Northwest Ohio. Dr. Somerville engages each guest with critical questions about their education, career and professional perspective on key issues impacting the community. Dr. Somerville is a senior leader in higher education whose accomplishments include student success, organizational change and community relations. She earned her doctorate in Higher Education Management from the University of Pennsylvania, her master’s degree from Bowling Green State University, and her bachelor’s degree from Ohio Northern University. Produced by Herbey Atkinson '17 Station Manager, Owens Student Media Center Music by Josh Jump '21 Music Business Technology

Publisher

Dr. Dione D. Somerville

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

26 Apr 2022

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

55 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Whirlpool Corporation Senior Director of Operations Renato Esteves

   After completing engineering studies in Brazil, Renato Esteves continued his executive education at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Today, he serves as Senior Director of Operations for Whirlpool Corporation, where he leads manufacturing operations in Northwest Ohio and oversees one of the company's largest U.S. manufacturing footprints. Renato brings more than two decades of global manufacturing and operations leadership experience. Throughout his career with Whirlpool, he has held leadership positions in Brazil and across the United States, including assignments in Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio and São Paulo. His responsibilities have spanned manufacturing, operations, continuous improvement and plant leadership, giving him broad experience in leading complex manufacturing organizations, developing talent and implementing operational excellence initiatives. In his current role, Renato is helping lead Whirlpool's continued investment in Northwest Ohio, including the company's new advanced manufacturing facility in Perrysburg and ongoing transformation of its Findlay operations. Under his leadership, Whirlpool continues to invest in automation, advanced manufacturing technologies and workforce development while strengthening its domestic manufacturing capabilities. He is also a strong advocate for partnerships between industry and education, recognizing that developing a skilled workforce is essential to the future of American manufacturing. Throughout his career, Renato has championed continuous improvement, innovation and people development. He believes world-class manufacturing begins with investing in employees, empowering teams and creating opportunities for lifelong learning. His leadership philosophy emphasizes collaboration, operational excellence and building cultures where people can thrive while delivering exceptional results. As Senior Director of Operations, Renato continues to help shape Whirlpool's manufacturing strategy while supporting the company's mission to improve life at home through innovation, quality and a highly skilled workforce.

2. 

   10 Sept 2026

   Clark State College President Emerita Dr. Jo Alice Blondin

   Jo Alice Blondin, Ph.D., became the interim president of the Arkansas Colleges of Health Education in Fort Smith, Arkansas, in July 2026. Prior to this position, Dr. Blondin served as the fifth president of Clark State College from July 1, 2013, to June 30, 2026, and was granted the title of President Emerita for her outstanding service. She also held the positions of Chancellor and Professor English, Chief Academic Officer and Chief Student Officer at Arkansas Tech University – Ozark, and Department Chair of English, Communication, and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of English at the University of Arkansas – Fort Smith. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in English from Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Arts from Purdue University, majoring in English. Dr. Blondin is known nationally for her leadership in strategic planning, workforce development, accreditation, board and shared governance, financial stewardship, safety preparation, program and technology alignment, and intentional marketing and communication plans for the colleges she has served. At Clark State, Dr. Blondin led the implementation of five successive strategic plans, the development of employee wellness, safety, and mentoring programs, the establishment of four baccalaureate degrees and numerous workforce programs, a reorganization of the campus to increase student success and completion that has resulted in an increase of more than 70 percent in state funding, secured $ 30-plus million in state funds for capital and community improvement projects, and received grant funding for Manufacturing, Precision Agriculture, Cybersecurity, Addiction Studies, Mental Health, scholarships, and youth programs totaling more than $26 million. Under her leadership, the Clark State Foundation grew from $13 million to more than $35 million. Dr. Blondin is past chair and member of the Higher Learning Commission Board of Trustees, a past president (two terms) and board member of the National Council for Workforce Education, past chair of the Presidents for the Ohio Association of Community Colleges, and past chair and board member for the Community College Alliance for Agricultural Advancement and the American Association of Community Colleges. She and her husband, Andy Fox, live in Springfield and have one daughter, Dr. Helena Fox, who is a veterinarian.

3. 

   13 Aug 2026

   Owens Community College Honors Program Director, English Professor Dr. Genesis Downey

   Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville interviews Honors Program Director and English Professor Dr. Genesis Downey about fostering critical thinking and student success.

Who has been a guest on Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Genesis Downey
• Vince DiPofi
• Neil MacKinnon
• Dr Brian Treece
• Dr Veronica Motley

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 29 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

35

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

60

Contact Conversations with Owens Community College President Dr. Dione D. Somerville

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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