Gephart, Houser, and Wilson Appointed to SSCC Board of Trustees

Ohio Governor Ted Strickland announced the appointment of Don Gephart of Blanchester, Ben Houser of Mt. Orab, and Vicki Wilson of Wilmington to the Southern State Community College Board of Trustees.

“I am very pleased to welcome our three new members to the SSCC Board of Trustees,” states Dr. Sherry A. Stout, SSCC president. “Each member brings a wealth of expertise to the Board that guarantees strong leadership.”

Having worked for the U.S. Postal Service for 15 years, Don Gephart’s roles have included general manager and quality of working life coordinator. Now serving as treasurer for the National Postal Mail Handlers Union Local 304, Gephart brings a wealth of knowledge and diverse communication experience to the College Board.

Gephart understands the importance of education through his many years of service as a member on the Blanchester School Board. During his 12 year tenure, Gephart oversaw tremendous changes in both the physical and academic looks of the schools, assisted with the implementation of the No Child Left Behind initiative, and was a driving force behind the school’s quest toward an excellent rating under the new criteria of excellence.  

A 1974 graduate of the University of Cincinnati’s Raymond Walters Branch, Gephart received a degree in real estate and business. Since that time, Gephart has received numerous certificates through additional continuing education and training.  

Serving as president of H & G Nursing Homes, Inc. in Mt. Orab, Ben Houser currently oversees the operation’s daily activities, giving him a tremendous amount of knowledge and leadership experience that he can utilize at Southern State Community College.

In 1966, Houser completed his bachelor’s degree in education at Ohio’s Miami University and then went on to receive a juris doctor degree in 1970 from the University of Cincinnati. He began practicing law in Brown County at McConn & Purdy where he worked for four years before becoming part owner at Cassidy, Kelly, & Houser as a partner and attorney.    

Through her professional service as an educational consultant, Vicki Wilson currently serves as the CORE Project Director for Muskingum College, acts as an accreditation mentor for the Ohio Department of Education, and instructs classes in education at The Ohio State University and Muskingum College. 

With an extensive background in education which will be an asset to Southern State and the Board of Trustees, Wilson has taken part in a variety of academic associations. She has served as a member of the Associate for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the Association of Teacher Educators, the Ohio Association of Teacher Educators, the National Association for Multicultural Education, and has been the co-editor for various publications.

In 1996, Wilson received her Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi in Educational Administration with a minor in Educational Research.

“I had the opportunity to meet with each member individually prior to their first meeting with the full Board, which was held on Sept. 10. I look forward to working with them as we serve the educational needs of the residents of Adams, Brown, Clinton, Fayette, and Highland counties,” Stout says.