Showing how the university can be more integrated into the community is the new job for Viviane Vallance as she has has been named external relations director at Ohio University Southern-Ironton Campus.

“I’m building relationships with the business community, government sector, public and private sectors ,” Vallance said. “ I meet with companies just to let them know we are here.”

Among companies’ needs might be job training or certification programs.

“Learning what skills are necessary as we move toward a global society,” she said. “We at least want to know what their issues are and how we can solve those problems. The university wants to be helpful.”

Vallance comes to OUS after 15 years at the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce, first as consumer marketing director then associate director at the Lawrence Economic Development Corporation.

Vallance’s family came to Kentucky from Laos and she is a graduate of Boyd County High School and Morehead State University, where she studied communication and electronic media.

She finds her new job much like the work she did at the chamber.

“My passion lies in the community,” she said. “This is a way to help bridge the gap between education and community advancement. The university can be a strong catalyst for the community, educationally and economically.”