Aces of Trades: Lewatis McNeal enjoys his "whirlwind" first year at Ohio University
LANCASTER − Lewatis McNeal's first year at Ohio University has been a bit hectic, to say the least.
McNeal is interim dean of campus and community relations at Ohio University Lancaster and Vice Provost for Regional Higher Education at OU in Athens.
"I started Oct. 3 of last year," he said. "So it's been a whirlwind for the first year. But I've got to tell you, it's been exciting. I've enjoyed every moment of it. I'm able to get out in the community, meet the people, meet the students, meet the faculty and staff and get to know the leaders in the community. I've had a really good time because I really do believe in the mission of the regional campuses."
As vice provost, McNeal provides leadership for all five of OU's regional campuses - Lancaster, Ironton, Chillicothe, Zanesville and St. Clairsville.
"Each of those campuses has their own campus dean that runs the day-to-day operation and leadership on those campuses," McNeal said. "My team along with myself sort of guides the regional campus leadership in relation to enrollment and operations and just a number of day-to-day things."
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He is usually on the road a lot traveling to the regional campuses, but not as much while he's been the Lancaster interim dean.
McNeal, an Arkansas native, has worked in higher education for almost 20 years, including at community colleges and the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville. But his interest in working with regional campuses brought him to OU.
"My first position in higher education was working at a regional campus," McNeal said. "I worked at Western Kentucky University - Owensboro. During that time I got a chance to see how important regional campuses were to the communities and the impact that the campuses made on individuals and their families."
He said he enjoyed the short time he returned to work in Arkansas.
"But the culture was not the same," McNeal said. "When I looked at the position with OU I saw the regional campuses and I wanted to know more about it. I didn't know much about Ohio University, other than the education and the quality of education that it provided. But the more I learned, the more I was intrigued."
He said that fact he would have a direct impact on the regional campuses sold him on the job.
McNeal said his basic philosophy on higher education is that it's a game changer.
"Education can change your life," he said. "Education can elevate you and it can help bring a family out of poverty. It can end cycles of generational poverty. Folks refer to it as the great equalizer. I still believe in that.
"I believe we're teaching people to not only have skills, but we need to teach people to think critically and teach people to work with folks. I believe in that mission that the people that come through our doors are better off when they leave as graduates."
Away from work, McNeal is sports fan and follows the Arkansas Razorbacks football team. He also enjoys spending time with his family and wants to get back into volunteering. While working Kentucky McNeal was the local Rotary president.
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Twitter: @JeffDBarron
This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Aces of Trades: Lewatis McNeal has busy first year at Ohio University
