Imagine America Foundation Honors Ken Konesco, CEO of Harrison College, with Lifetime Achievement Award
Washington, D.C. (June 16, 2011) – At a small career college campus in Buffalo, New York in the mid-1970s, Ken Konesco began making the first of many achievements that would lead to his placement among the most respected leaders in career education. On June 8, 2011, his many contributions to the private college and university sector were formally recognized when the Imagine America Foundation presented him with one of its most prestigious honors. Konesco, CEO of Educational Management Corporation, the parent company of Harrison College, graciously received the Lifetime Achievement Award (formerly the Pioneer Award) from the Imagine America Foundation’s board of directors during the General Session & Awards Lunch at the 2011 Annual Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) Convention in Grapevine, Texas.
The annual Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes career college founders, owners or operators who have provided exceptional leadership and support to the career college sector. Previous awardees have distinguished themselves through the management of their institutions, their high ethical standards and devotion to innovation.
Since his career began 40 years ago, Konesco has served in a variety of educational and leadership roles in career education. He began his career at Bryant & Stratton College where he served for 15 years in various capacities including admissions representative, teacher, dean, and managing director of five campuses serving more than 7,000 students. He was selected to serve as President of Harrison College from December 1986 – January 2010. Harrison College has 15 locations with an enrollment of more than 6,100 students, and is well-regarded in Indiana for its charitable involvements and connection to the community. In February 2010, Konesco ascended to the role of CEO of Educational Management Corporation.
“I felt very strongly that the culture at Harrison College would be one that involves providing service to others,” Konesco said. “How is it that we can take our staff, our faculty, and our students to the highest level that they can be? How is it that we can implement family, faith, health and job into that culture? Our philosophy really started with the upbringing of my parents – the fact that you always give back. The rest was just natural.”
“While it’s hard to pinpoint a single accomplishment among all of Ken’s achievements, I’ve always appreciated how his leadership helped bring legitimacy and respect to career education," said Robert L. Martin, President of the Imagine America Foundation. "He’s always been a strong leader with strong morals, and his school embodies his leadership approach. It’s our honor to recognize his lifetime of accomplishments.”
For more information about the Lifetime Achievement Award or the Foundation, contact Robert L. Martin, President of the Imagine America Foundation, at (202) 336-6758, bobm@imagine-america.org, or visit www.imagine-america.org.
About the Imagine America Foundation
The Imagine America Foundation (IAF), established in 1982, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing scholarships for education, research and training support for the career college sector. Since its inception, the Foundation has provided over $50 million in scholarship and award support for graduating high school seniors, adult learners and U.S. military personnel attending career colleges nationwide through its award-winning Imagine America® programs. The Foundation also publishes vital research publications for the higher education sector, honors achievement in career education and offers faculty development training. For more information about the Imagine America Foundation’s programs, please visit www.imagine-america.org.
About Harrison College
Harrison College is a contemporary, career-focused institution of Higher Education serving more than 6,000 students throughout the United States and Internationally. Harrison College has 12 campuses in Indiana and Ohio, two culinary schools in Indiana and North Carolina, and also offers courses online at Harrison.edu. The institution grants Associates and Bachelor’s degrees across five schools of study: Business, Health Sciences, Information Technology, Criminal Justice, and Veterinary Technology, as well as its culinary division, The Chef’s Academy. Harrison College offers students a variety of learning environments including online, traditional classroom or a combination of both. Harrison College is accredited by the Accrediting Council of Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) and is dedicated to excellence in higher learning. In addition, the College is currently a Candidate with The Higher Learning Commission, an affiliate of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA). Harrison College was founded in 1902 as Indiana Business College and has a rich history of preparing students for success in their chosen profession.
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