CANFIELD, Ohio – Dom Fonce, an instructor at the Mahoning County Career & Technical Center’s Adult Career Center, has been named Adult Educator of the Year for Ohio’s Northeast Region.
The award, presented by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce and the Ohio Department of Higher Education, recognizes exceptional leadership and dedication to advancing adult education across the state.
Fonce will be formally honored at the upcoming Ohio Association for Adult and Continuing Education Conference in Columbus. The honor reflects his commitment to empowering adult learners, many of whom have overcome barriers and challenges in earning their high school diplomas.
“The success of our programming is a testament to our students, who are extremely motivated to climb the economic and educational ladders, and to our faculty, who deeply want to see our students succeed,” Fonce said.
During the 2024-25 school year, Fonce served as the lead instructor and adult diploma specialist at MCCTC’s Adult Career Center, where he played a role in expanding the Adult Diploma Program, which helps adults earn their high school diploma while simultaneously completing training toward an industry-recognized credential.
Under Fonce’s leadership, the Adult Diploma Program grew. From 2019 to 2023, the program graduated a total of 14 students. In 2024 and 2025, 47 students successfully completed the program.
The Adult Diploma Program provides job training and an alternate pathway for adults who are age 18 or older, Ohio residents and no longer enrolled in school to earn both an industry-recognized credential and a state-issued high school diploma. To qualify, students must meet admission requirements including passing the WorkKeys assessments and completion of credential training aligned with one of Ohio’s in-demand jobs.
Program graduates have earned certifications in nurse aide, medical office assisting, phlebotomy, stick welding, and emergency medical technician, equipping them with the skills and credentials needed to enter high-demand fields across the region.
Pictured at top: Instructor Dom Fonce congratulates program participants at MCCTC’s recognition ceremony in June.