Midwest Culinary Dean Gets Promotion

The board of trustees of Cincinnati State Technical and Community College has approved an administrative restructuring plan developed by Interim President Dr. John Henderson.

As part of that plan -- which Henderson said is motivated largely by new standards and goals articulated by the Ohio Board of Regents -- the College has established the position of Vice President for Strategic Initiatives and Entrepreneurial Development. Named to fill that post was Dan Cayse, former dean of Business Technologies at Cincinnati State.

In his new role, Cayse will be responsible for developing fresh revenue streams for the College, and for increasing partnerships with other educational institutions and with regional businesses. Cayse will also be responsible for Cincinnati State’s Workforce Development Center in Evendale, the Overlook Food Service Department on the main campus in Clifton, and the Midwest Culinary Institute’s auxiliary enterprises, including The Summit (a fine dining restaurant on the Clifton campus), Bakery Hill (a retail bakery that serves students, faculty and the general public), and “The Dish” (a weekly television show taped at the Midwest Culinary Institute.)

Henderson named Peggy Harrier interim dean of the Business Technologies division until a search is completed to fill the position.

Another part of the reorganization, Henderson said, will find Douglas A. Heesten, Vice President/Institutional Advancement, moving into a leadership role for a major three-year campaign to build the college’s endowment and raise new funds to support academic programs and student scholarships. This campaign will be formally launched later in 2009, Henderson said.

“It is very important that the College community comes together to work toward the goals outlined in the University System of Ohio strategic plan,’’ Henderson said. “We are working in a different political and financial environment now. Our past greatness does not insure future support. We must stay focused on our mission and our importance to the economic development of the region.’’