Meet Orientation & IT Support Coordinator Jon Ream
Jon Ream, a proud alumnus of East Ohio College, is the Orientation Coordinator at East Ohio College and campus IT Support Coordinator. At East Ohio College, he has served as the IT Director/Instructor, Business Program Director/Instructor, and now as the Orientation Coordinator. In his new position, he is the first line from an academic point of view for all new students. All new and returning students will take an orientation course, and Jon will help guide them through the course completion. Once students complete the course, he stays with them during their first six weeks of classes, ready to help anyone who needs it.
Anyone starting college will tell you it can be a little stressful trying to get used to balancing life, a job, and college, but Jon says East Ohio College’s support is second to none. Jon stated, “I’m always here to help the students whenever they need it. I’m also blessed to work with so many incredible people who are ready to jump in and help anyone struggling to find that balance. We all have one goal in mind, and that is to watch our students become graduates in their fields of study and walk across the stage at graduation. “
Going to college online can be scary for some students, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shown us that students can be successful with learning online, given the appropriate support they need. Jon said, “Our instructors are always available to help our students, whether it is a quick phone call, text or even scheduling a Zoom meeting, we are here to help.” When COVID-19 arrived, we had to pivot many things as a country. Education was hit head-on. Jon explains that East Ohio had to learn and adjust quickly. From a business standpoint, part of this was achieved by realizing the efficiencies of virtual meetings (zoom calls) and the conveniences of working from home. We learned quickly how Microsoft Word and Excel programs could make our lives much easier. With this newfound knowledge, we had to adjust our teaching strategies accordingly. Making sure that our students understood the importance of soft skills was vital. We really emphasized the importance of email and phone etiquette in dealing with difficult people and situations.
When Jon was asked what his favorite part of his job was, he excitedly answered, “Talking to the students for the first time! Getting to learn all about our new students and sharing that excitement as they are about to embark on this journey as they prepare for a new career.” He also loves it when graduates touch base to tell him they got a new promotion at work or are in a career they absolutely love. There’s no better feeling than helping someone achieve their dream of being a college graduate and actually being employed in a career, not just a job.
East Ohio College is committed to empowering our students with knowledge, skills, and experiences that will propel them toward success in their chosen fields. Whether you’re passionate about nursing, allied health, business, or cybersecurity, we offer diverse programs tailored to meet your needs. Your journey starts here! Request information to get started at East Ohio College today!