Walsh University has named Kevin Finefrock as Associate Dean for the School for Professional Studies and Director of External Programs effective July 1, 2015.
In this newly created position, Finefrock will assume the duties of retiring Assistant Dean for Non-Traditional Programs Gary Tschantz. He will be responsible for the development and coordination of the School for Professional Studies (SPS) articulation agreements with community colleges, e-learning development and certificate programs, as well as the accelerated degree programs offered through Walsh’s four SPS campuses in North Canton, Akron, Medina and Canfield. In addition, he will oversee all summer programming for the University and will be instrumental in enhancing Walsh’s corporate partnerships and relationships within the community.
"With the increasing growth of our SPS programs, combined with Kevin’s unique skill set and connections within the community, we saw this as an opportunity to expand the SPS position to include a new emphasis on corporate partnerships and external engagement," said Walsh University Provost and Academic Vice President Laurence Bove, Ph.D. "We are excited to welcome Kevin’s expertise and leadership as we continue to develop new programming and maintain the tradition of excellence in our adult degree completion program that Gary Tschantz has established during his long-time service to Walsh."
Kevin Finefrock brings to this position 15 years of educational experience as both an administrator and teacher. Most recently, he has been an administrator in the Green Local School district for the past seven years. While holding the positions of principal and assistant superintendent, he helped manage a $44 million budget, oversaw curriculum development for the school district, assisted in creating a district strategic plan, established business partnerships, and led policy development. In his tenure at Green, Finefrock secured visits from John McCain, Sarah Palin, Kyrie Irving, and Jim Tressel. He also fundraised $324,232 in two years as building principal that added 225 iPads to grades 1-3 classrooms and expanded the playground by 400 percent. The technology integration project was covered by the New York Times and Kuwait Times. He was named the Green PTA Outstanding Educator.
Kevin Finefrock graduated from Rider University in New Jersey where he majored in education and played Division I basketball. He was team captain, MVP, and named to the GTE Academic All-American team. He received his master’s degree from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in Educational Administration.
He taught and coached basketball at Canton Central Catholic from 2000-2008. In addition, he was named to the All Stark County teaching team, selected Ohio Basketball Coach of the Year for all Division II schools and voted Stark County Coach of the Year.
Kevin Finefrock and his wife of 13 years, Nicole, have four children, Joshua (10), Mitchell (8), Grace (7), and Caroline (3). They are parish members of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Canton.