Stark State College President Para Jones will retire in 2027, after a 14-year tenure that included the opening of the college’s Akron campus in 2018. Jones, a Canton native, initially came to the college in the late 1980s for a marketing position, seeking a better work-life balance to raise her twin boys.

Expanding Access to Education

During her time at Stark State, Jones has been instrumental in expanding the college’s reach, particularly with the opening of the Akron campus. This move has strengthened ties between the college and the City of Akron, with a tuition-in-lieu-of-lease agreement allowing city employees to take classes at the community college.

Jones’ legacy includes building a strong team focused on student success and workforce needs, connecting people to in-demand jobs without accumulating debt. The college has focused on programming that meets employer needs, including manufacturing, automation, and AI-integrated fields.

Elaine Russell Reolfi, Stark State’s Board of Trustees chair, praised Jones for her dedication to the college and the community, saying she has built a foundation for the next president to build upon.

Original reporting: Signal Akron — read the source article.