CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Ohio University Chillicothe has named Michael Lafreniere its dean of campus and community engagement, elevating him from the interim role he has held for more than a year.
Dr. Lewatis McNeal, Ohio University’s vice provost for regional higher education, announced the appointment, which takes effect Monday. In her announcement, McNeal said Lafreniere has “a unique ability to build relationships, bring people together, and turn ideas into action.”
Lafreniere has been on the Chillicothe campus faculty since 1994, teaching environmental engineering technology, hazardous materials technology and mathematics as a tenured associate professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. He founded and directed the campus’s Environmental Training and Resource Center and has previously served as associate dean, director of student services and acting dean.
During his time in the interim role, Lafreniere helped expand the campus’s workforce partnerships, including the development of automation technician and mechatronics technician certificate programs, and worked to strengthen ties with community organizations. He also led the revitalization of the campus’s 18-hole disc golf course.
The appointment comes as the Chillicothe campus prepares to mark its 80th anniversary with a Sept. 17 celebration.
“Students come first here, and that is not a slogan,” Lafreniere said in a statement.
Lafreniere holds a master’s degree in environmental engineering and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, both from the University of Florida, and completed doctoral coursework in mathematics education at Ohio University.
The information contained in this story was obtained from Ohio University.
