Diversity, aviation leaders appointed
The Ohio State University College of Engineering recently welcomed new leaders in the Office of Diversity, Outreach and Inclusion, Center for Aviation Studies and Ohio State University Airport.
Barclay leads Office of Diversity, Outreach and Inclusion
Senior Director of Diversity, Outreach and Inclusion Lisa Barclay has been named interim chief diversity and inclusion officer and assistant dean by The Ohio State University College of Engineering. She succeeds Donnie Perkins, who announced his retirement recently after serving exceptionally in the role since January 2015.
With more than 20 years of professional experience in higher education, Barclay began her tenure at the College of Engineering in 2002 as a student recruitment coordinator and was promoted to director of that unit in 2008. In 2011 she began leading Engineering Diversity and Outreach Programs as an associate director. She was promoted to senior director of the college’s Office of Diversity, Outreach and Inclusion (DOI) in January 2016.
As interim chief diversity and inclusion officer, Barclay will represent the college within the university as well as with peer universities and industry partners. She will lead DOI’s staff of 12 and play a key role on the College of Engineering Executive Committee. [Read more]
Free named Center for Aviation Studies’ director
A former NASA senior executive and corporate aerospace leader was recruited to The Ohio State University College of Engineering to direct its Center for Aviation Studies, beginning September 1.
Jim Free will pilot Ohio State’s aviation education activities, which encompass students in the Colleges of Engineering, Arts & Sciences and Business. Also appointed as a professor of practice in mechanical and aerospace engineering, he will oversee the Center for Aviation Studies’ research and outreach initiatives as well.
Throughout his career, Free has served in a wide range of engineering and leadership roles for domestic and international aerospace programs. He recently retired from NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC, where he last served as the deputy associate administrator in its Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate. Free also was director of NASA’s John H. Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, where he was responsible for leading more than 3,200 civil service and contractor employees. [Read more]
Adam Wolf named new airport director
Adam Wolf has been promoted to director of The Ohio State University Airport, effective August 1, 2020.
In this position, Wolf will oversee both the strategic development and day-to-day business operations of the airport. His responsibilities include ensuring that the airport is positioned to provide quality service to customers, tenants and other users. Organizationally, Wolf’s charge extends from airfield operations to fixed-based operations, including the implementation of associated capital projects.
Wolf joined the university airport in 2017, advancing through positions in the airfield operations and business development units. A private pilot with instrument rating, he is a certified member of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE) and has served on the Transportation Research Board’s Airport Cooperative Research Program (ACRP). He also holds a UAS 107 license and earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. [Read more]
