Warren County Career Center superintendent set for new role

Maggie Hess retirement reception is this month.

Over the past 13 years, the Warren County Career Center has expanded career-technical educational opportunities for high school and adult students — all under the direction of superintendent Maggie Hess.

Now the longtime educator is ready to retire and advance educational initiatives in a new capacity.

“I looked back on what’s been happening at the career center, and we are in a positive place in terms of staffing, programming, facilities and plans for the future. It’s a good time for someone new to come in and take it to the next level,” she said of her decision. “Looking at my personal life and the future, now is a good time to make the transition.”

Hess, who grew up in Mason, began as WCCC superintendent Sept. 15, 2004. Prior to that, she served as the dean of instruction and special education director with Great Oaks Institute of Technology and Career Development in Cincinnati. She was a teacher for eight years in special education in the beginning of her 35-year career.

The Little Miami resident received her Bachelor’s Degree in elementary education and special education from Georgia State University, her Master of Education in special education and administration from the University of Cincinnati and her educational administration certification from Xavier University.

During her tenure, WCCC grew satellite programming from five sites in 2004 to an anticipated 24 sites this fall and established a scholarship foundation and alumni hall of fame. A partnership between schools, local governments and the Middletown Regional Hospital led to the creation of the Greentree Health Academy. During the economic downturn, adult students trained for new careers.

“All of these achievements have been the result of many, many people helping to advance career-technical education,” Hess said. “I’m proud to have been a part of creating opportunities for a diverse group of students.”

Although she is retiring from public education, in July she will take on a new role as the executive director of the Ohio Association of Career Technical Education Superintendents, where she will work with the state’s 49 career-technical superintendents and legislators to identify and address strengths and weaknesses.

“I’ll be able to continue to support career-technical education from a statewide perspective,” she said. “It’s a big part of the future success of our local communities, state and country. It is our students who are going to stay in their communities and help shape the future.”

Hess has served as president of the Ohio Association for Career and Technical Education. In 2016, she was named Ohio ACTE Administrator of the Year and Ohio School Boards Association Southwest Region Friend of Education and also was inducted into the Cincy and Dayton Magazines 75/71 Business Hall of Fame. She was named the 2013 Citizen of the Year by the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce.

Hess is an active member of the Lebanon Rotary Club and Area Progress Council of Warren County, serves on the board of the Warren County Foundation, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Warren/Clinton Counties and United Way of Warren County, and serves on committees with Countryside YMCA and Otterbein Lebanon.

Additionally, she is looking forward to traveling and spending more time with her three children and six grandchildren.

“Maggie has been such a great leader for the district and has implemented many new initiatives and improvements that have benefited our students and impacted their success,” said Bobbie Grice, president of the career center’s board. “We do understand, though, that she is ready to move on and have more time to spend with her family and friends. We wish her the best, and we are grateful for the dedication she has shown for this district.”

Contact this contributing writer at lisa.knodel@gmail.com.


How to go

What: Retirement reception for Warren County Career Center superintendent Maggie Hess

When: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, April 26

Where: Warren County Career Center, 3525 N. Ohio 48, Lebanon 45036

About the Author