New Wright State president talks collaboration with UD, Sinclair

Wright State University’s new president is already in talks to collaborate with the University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College.

In her second week as president, Cheryl Schrader met with the presidents of UD and Sinclair.

UD president Eric Spina invited WSU to join UD at the Dayton Arcade when the property is developed. Spina has said UD will be an anchor tenant of a renovated arcade, which will feature an “innovation hub” that will include support and space for start-up companies.

RELATED: As president, Schrader wants to be Wright State’s ‘warrior’

“That’s exciting. We would be very interested in that,” Schrader told Spina, according to Wright State.

Schrader and Spina are both engineers by trade. Schrader told Spina that she thinks engineers have a “different perspective” on leading a university.

“I’m excited to welcome a fellow engineer here at Wright State,” Spina told Schrader.

In a meeting with Schrader, Sinclair president Steven Johnson expressed interest in enhancing the partnerships between Wright State and Sinclair.

Sinclair already has 1,700 students that are preparing to transfer to Wright State, Johnson told Schrader.

The two discussed the possibility of Wright State having a presence on Sinclair’s campus and joint cabinet and boards of trustees meetings, according to WSU. The schools previously held joint meetings from 2010 to 2012.

RELATED: Ex-WSU consultant now says he’s owed $2M in damages for canceled debate

“I think that’s a good idea,” Schrader said. “Let’s think about bringing that back.”

In June, Schrader tweeted a photo from a meeting she had with Miami University President Greg Crawford and she has meetings scheduled with Clark State Community College president Jo Alice Blondin and Central State University president Cynthia Jackson-Hammond.

About the Author