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EGCC names its future interim president

STEUBENVILLE -- Two veterans of higher education have been selected to fill top positions at Eastern Gateway Community College.

John R. Crooks has been named the future interim president and Arthur Daly has been selected as the senior executive vice president, the school's board of trustees announced Thursday.

"Eastern Gateway Community College is preparing to enter a new chapter in our school's long history. Crooks is a respected educator who is up to the task of heading our proud institution as we search for our next president. We also believe Daly will be a strong partner in helping Crooks as senior executive vice president. The college is in good hands," said James Gasior, the board chairman.

These transitions in leadership will become effective at a yet to be determined date as President Michael Geoghegan prepares to step down. Geoghegan, who has served as the school's president since July 15, 2020, announced in June that he plans to retire next June.

"We cannot thank outgoing President Michael Geoghegan enough for his steady hand and sagacious leadership as Eastern Gateway expanded its program offerings and student base during his tenure," Gasior said.

Crooks has served as the senior vice president of academic affairs at Eastern Gateway since 2020. While at EGCC, he helped with the formation of the Student Government Association and the student-led Oak Tree Literary Journal while promoting greater interaction among members of the faculty and students.

He also has held positions at Lorain County Community College and Iowa Wesleyan College.

Crooks earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in biology from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) and his Ph.D. in biology from Bowling Green State University.

"I'm humbled by the opportunity to lead Eastern Gateway, where we have always put our students, our faculty, our staff and the communities we serve first. Eastern Gateway will continue to provide our students at our campuses in Steubenville and Youngstown and across the state with the highest-quality education at the lowest tuition costs possible," Crooks said.

Daly has held several positions at EGCC since coming to the school in November 2016, including director of career development and dean and vice president of the Youngstown campus. He is a board member of the Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana Workforce Development board and serves on the Ohio Means Jobs committee in Trumbull County.

He is a board member of the Ohio Virtual Learning Academy, the Boys and Girls Club of Youngstown, CityScape and the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce.

Daly, who is president of EGCC's foundation, earned his undergraduate degree in finance from Youngstown State University, and his MBA in quantitative analysis and international business from Southern New Hampshire University

"It has been my distinct pleasure to serve as President of Eastern Gateway. Crooks will be a great leader and I look forward to working with him and the board to ensure Eastern Gateway continues to be a beacon of light and hope for those students who are hungry for an opportunity to improve themselves by pursuing a higher education degree," Geoghegan said.