SOCHE names former Wright-Patt commander as next president

The next president of the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education already knows the job pretty well.

Cassie Barlow, has been serving as interim president of SOCHE after being chosen for the role in January.

“The board has the utmost confidence in Dr. Barlow, who has done an excellent job as SOCHE’s Chief Operations Officer and Interim President,” said Jo Alice Blondin, chair of SOCHE’s board of trustees and president of Clark State Community College. “She will continue to be a success in her new role and help transition SOCHE into the future.”

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Barlow replaces Sean Creighton, who left SOCHE for a job at the Dayton-based New American Colleges and Universities. Barlow first joined SOCHE in 2017 as director of the Aerospace Professional Development Center and moved into the chief operations officer position soon after.

As COO, Barlow led SOCHE’s talent development programs that help address ongoing workforce needs in Ohio. Barlow also helped to merge the Defense Associated Graduate Student Innovators into SOCHE’s operations, according to the organization.

Previously, Barlow served as the installation commander of Wright Patterson Air Force Base’s 88th Air Base Wing. Barlow retired in 2014 after serving for two years as Wright-Patt’s commander.

She also serves on committees and boards for The Victoria Theatre Association, Girl Scouts of Western Ohio, The Abilities Connection, Carroll High School and the Alzheimer’s Association. She is also a member of the Dayton Daily News Community Advisory Board.

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