By Estelle R. Brown
TWINSBURG – Kent State University’s Twinsburg Academic Campus (TAC) does not make decisions in a vacuum. The regional campus’ climate of collaboration and commitment as a source for social good is embodied in its advisory board, whose members are dynamic leaders from the community. Recently, two new members representing local business and education were appointed to the advisory board: Angelo Carcioppolo, Certified Financial Planner at Skylight Financial Group; and Mike Roberto, Aurora Local Schools Superintendent.
The TAC Advisory Board consists of a total of 15 engaged community members, each with rotating three-year terms of service. Board members are advocates, advisors and connectors who work closely with the dean as a resource to build connections with the community.
In the past, a combined advisory board for Kent State Geauga and TAC served as the grassroots community liaison for both the Burton and Twinsburg locations. Nearly five years ago, Angela Spalsbury, Ph.D., dean and chief administrative officer, recognized the need for each entity to be represented by its own advisory team. Each board now functions separately, yet interdependently, since they collectively represent one campus with two locations.
Angelo Carcioppolo was appointed to the TAC advisory board in August 2021. While this Kent State role is new, he has served within the Twinsburg community as past board president and treasurer. He is currently on the board of directors/executive committee for the Twinsburg Chamber of Commerce and serves as a board member for the Twinsburg Community Improvement Corporation (TCIC).
“My goals for this advisory board position are to use my experience in the Twinsburg community to help develop, grow and expand on the current initiatives for scholarship fundraising, events and overall community engagement,” he says.
Carcioppolo believes that his professional and educational background as a financial planner has allowed him to “have my business grow within the community, all while supporting various community activities. These activities have given me the opportunity to meet and build relationships with the businesspeople and community members that I feel can become more involved with the goals of the TAC.”
A Twinsburg resident since 2014 who grew up in nearby Solon, Carcioppolo adds, “It is very important to me that we continue to grow the success of the area by expanding the reach and engagement with a great university like Kent State.”
Aurora City Schools Superintendent Mike Roberto is serving his first year on the board and is enjoying the process of gaining a better understanding of the history of Kent State Geauga and Twinsburg Academic Center.
“Because this is my first year, my goal is to listen and learn so that I can then perhaps contribute where I can,” he says.
“I was invited to be part of the board based on my current position as superintendent of the Aurora City Schools. That is the lens I will be bringing to the board. In particular, I will be interested in the connections between the university and surrounding communities, along with how our high schoolers and recent graduates better connect, as well.”
Roberto and his wife, Lisa, have been living in Aurora since 1999 and all four of their children have graduated from Aurora High School.
Below is the complete list of current Twinsburg Academic Center Advisory Board Members:
- Angelo Carcioppolo, Certified Financial Planner, Skylight Financial Group
- Joe Clark, Ph.D., Superintendent, Nordonia Hills Schools
- Jamey DeFabio, Real Estate Agent at Keller Williams; Twinsburg Township Trustee; Chief Bailiff of Bedford Municipal Court
- Mark J. Dvorak, Private Attorney, Abdallah & Dvorak, LLC
- Walt Hoffmann, Current Councilman for Reminderville, Retired, Assistant Superintendent
- Keri Knowles, Youth Minister at Saints Cosmas and Damian Parish
- Laura Leonard, Director, Twinsburg Public Library*
- Valerie Lumby, Community Member*
- Charles Mbanefo, Owner, C. Mbanefo MD Group
- Kathi Powers, Superintendent, Twinsburg City Schools
- Mike Roberto, Superintendent, Aurora City Schools
- Giovanni Schieda, Solution Consultant at MRI Software
- Maureen Stauffer, Twinsburg City Schools
- Sheila Williams, Retired, Educator*
- Ted Yates, Mayor, City of Twinsburg*
*Kent State University Alumni
