COTC Provost Appointed to National Commission on Economic and Workforce Development

Eric A. Heiser, PhD, provost at Central Ohio Technical College (COTC), was recently appointed to the Commission on Economic and Workforce Development of the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC). He will serve a three-year term (July 1, 2020 – June 30, 2023). 

“I am both appreciative and humbled to accept this appointment,” said Heiser. “This work directly aligns with COTC’s mission to meet the technical education and training needs of students and employers in the area, and I am looking forward to an engaging exchange of ideas with community college colleagues from around the nation.”

In his role as provost, Heiser serves as chief academic and enrollment officer at COTC, providing vision and leadership for the institution’s overall educational program. He is responsible for leading and working collaboratively with faculty and staff members in the areas of academic programs, enrollment management, student retention and success, as well as promoting innovation and educational leadership.

Heiser assumed his duties at COTC in January 2020 after a national search to fill the newly created role. He formerly held the position of dean and director of career and technical education at Salt Lake Community College’s School of Applied Technology and Technical Specialties, where he also previously served as associate dean. Prior to that, Heiser was an assistant professor of business at Central Wyoming College and served as director at the college’s Rural Justice Training Center. He holds a Doctorate of Philosophy in Higher Education Leadership from Colorado State University; a Master of Arts in Education, Adult and Postsecondary Education and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Wyoming; and an Associate of Science in Business Administration from Central Wyoming College.

“In his brief time at COTC, Dr. Heiser has already demonstrated exceptional leadership by spearheading critical enhancements and changes to COTC’s academic programming, institutional structures and delivery of support services,” said COTC President John M. Berry, PhD. “As COTC works to further align our academic programming with evolving local workforce needs, I know that Dr. Heiser will bring much to his new role with the AACC’s Commission on Economic and Workforce Development as well as gain insights that will increase effectiveness at COTC.”

The AACC is the primary advocacy organization for the nation’s community colleges. The association represents nearly 1,200 two-year, associate degree-granting institutions and more than 12 million students.

COTC is a fully accredited, public college dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible programs of technical education in response to current and emerging employment needs. COTC is the only technical college in Ohio operating four full-service campus locations: Newark, Coshocton, Knox and Pataskala.