Impactful Conversations
In fall and winter of 2021-2022, the Stark Education Partnership’s (SEP) new president, John Richard, met with over 75 individual stakeholders and organizations in a series of listening sessions and workgroups that helped shape a new strategic direction. The overarching message from a diverse array of stakeholders across Stark County was that SEP plays an important role in the community, yet there are opportunities to continue adapting, evolving, and maximizing impact. As SEP engaged in a formal strategic process, a consistent theme from these strategic planning conversations was that workforce needs are critically important and gaining momentum as a focus area.