While Clark State has been a cornerstone of higher education in the community and surrounding areas since 1962, one thing always remains constant: change.
With the addition of three bachelor’s degrees now available at Clark State, the Board of Trustees has voted to change the name of the institution to encompass the advancements in educational opportunities made by the college. As of January 1, 2021, Clark State Community College will be known as Clark State College.
Clark State’s Board of Trustees, administration, faculty, staff and students have been engaged in a discussion and actions regarding a name change to Clark State College since the fall of 2018.
“Clark State was established in 1962 as Clark County Technical Education Program,” said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president of Clark State. “The college has seen three name changes since that time; all changes that coincided with the ever-increasing educational opportunities Clark State offers. With the addition of two bachelor’s degree programs, the Board recognized the need to reflect those opportunities in our title. Clark State College will uphold its indisputable reputation for quality education, affordability, unmatched student services and dedication to the communities it serves.”
Clark State now offers two applied baccalaureate degrees in Manufacturing Technology Management and Web Development and Design to serve regional industries and address skills gaps.
Clark State conducted a survey in the spring of 2019 of employees and students, with the majority favoring a name change to Clark State College. The process initially began with a change from academic “divisions” to academic “schools” in spring 2019.
Beginning in fall 2019, the administration, through the shared governance system, began working with the faculty, staff and student senates, who all passed resolutions to recommend a name change from Clark State Community College to Clark State College. All senates passed these resolutions by spring 2020.
The Springfield and Clark County Technical Education Program opened in 1962 and began to offer technical training for residents of Springfield, Ohio, and surrounding communities. The charter for the organization of the Clark County Technical Institute was effective February 18, 1966.
Clark County Technical Institute became Ohio’s first technical college to be sanctioned by the Ohio Board of Regents, the name changed from Clark County Technical Institute to Clark Technical College by action of the Ohio Board of Regents on February 17, 1972.
The charter changed from Clark Technical College to Clark State Community College on June 17, 1988, and the college began offering Associate of Arts and Associate of Science transfer degrees that same year.
Clark State’s mission will remain the same: to engage and empower diverse learners by providing high-quality educational programs and services that emphasize student and community success.
Blondin said Clark State’s mission and community outreach clearly outline its commitment to serving the four-county service area of Clark, Greene, Champaign and Logan counties.
The Clark State Board of Trustees officially approved the name change to Clark State College and the request will now be submitted to the Ohio Department of Higher Education for formal approval.
"Clark State now offers two applied baccalaureate degrees in Manufacturing Technology Management and Web Development and Design to serve regional industries and address skills gaps," said Brad Phillips, chairman of the Clark State Board of Trustees. "The addition of bachelor’s degrees prompted the name change consideration. The name 'Clark State College' does not exclude any part of the community, but it embodies the many diverse options available to students from certificates to transfer degrees and now also baccalaureate programs. We are excited to see the college progress with the changing needs of our communities." Clark State proudly add the Addiction and Integrated Treatment Studies Bachelor degree in 2023.