Flashback to 1991.
As a graduate of Bloom-Carrol High School, 18-year-old Brown, a student-athlete, packed up his car to head to Capital University, where he would play football while setting his sights on pre-med and athletic training degrees. Following a devastating knee injury during his sophomore year while playing football, he became increasingly interested in athletic training and helping others with their sports careers. Brown moved north to continue his education at the University of Michigan (for OSU fans, don’t hold that against him!) to pursue a Master’s in kinesiology. “I’ll never forget my first game at Michigan,” he explained, “running out of the tunnel, jumping to touch the famous ‘Go Blue’ banner. Graduate school was crazy busy, working full time as an athletic trainer with football and wrestling, carrying a full-time graduate course load in kinesiology, and even teaching classes.”
Flash forward another eight years.
Dr. Brown earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership from Ohio University. He was ready to take on a leadership role, only switching up the playbook a bit. Instead of staying on the field, he expanded his career goals inside the walls of a community college where he could make a difference in the lives of students and the community. Arriving at Zane State in 2005 as Dean of Health, Public Service, and Service-Related programs, he earned promotion after promotion over the years. And in 2015, he was appointed the sixth president of Zane State College. This role is rewarding as well as increasingly challenging. “My outlook on my community college president profession can be summed up by one of my all-time favorite heroes, President Teddy Roosevelt. He said, ‘Far and away, the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.’ And even on the hardest and longest days, I enjoy my work and the people I work with. I love the work we do.”
Dr. Brown is a servant leader who is passionate about empowering his employees in a creative and compassionate workplace culture. His leadership style shows a commitment to building trust, igniting passion, and caring deeply about the success of others. Keeping the local community at the forefront, he is involved in various boards and organizations that collectively benefit those most in need. While Dr. Brown’s academic accomplishments are honorable and respected, they do not truly explain who Dr. Brown is.
Family First.
With his wife, Dr. Susan Farus-Brown, Dr. Brown raised a son, Joey, who has taken on his parents’ passion for football. A student-athlete himself, Joey is earning a bachelor’s degree in business at Muskingum University.
Must Love Dogs.
As a dog dad to three lovable pups, Dr. Brown enjoys watching football and taking naps with English Bulldog named Lincoln and French Bulldogs named Ike and Churchill.
Being Present.
Having a chronic neurological condition called dystonia means Dr. Brown is thoughtful with every step he takes, every conversation he has, and every interaction he makes. Even on the toughest of days, he always sees our students as a source of inspiration. As he says, they are the purpose behind our vision of creating A Promising Future for Every One.
Work Hard. Play Hard.
This bio wouldn’t be complete without a plug for Dr. Brown’s woodworking talent and appreciation for bourbon. In his free time, he likes woodworking projects that range from cabinetry to wine racks to raised beds for his garden.
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