Members’ Corner: Julie Yoder
Name, Title, Organization:
Julie Yoder, Dean of Continuing Education & Workforce Development at Garrett College
Explain your background in economic development:
I have worked closely with Garrett County Economic Development for over 20 years. Together, we created the Career Technology Training Center, a former manufacturing facility which houses the majority of our Workforce Training programs. We also work together to conduct business visits and present specialized programming to the business community and aspiring entrepreneurs.
What are your key priorities within your current position?
Identifying and responding to training needs for our business community, identifying (grant) resources to grow and expand our training offerings, improving outreach and marketing to ensure our community has knowledge of our offerings.
Does one particular project spark your excitement? If so, describe it below.
We are about to launch Marine Mechanic and Kitchen Cook programs. As a four-season tourism destination, we are excited to get these (long overdue) programs in place to support our hospitality and tourism industry.
What professional pressures keep you up at night?
I oversee Continuing Education and Workforce Development, as well as our on-campus aquatic and recreation center, and the performing arts center; I am sometimes spread pretty thin.
What attributes are unique to your community?
Four-season tourism destination, declining population, shortage of “workforce” housing
What are your locality’s top three “selling points” for future growth?
- Education (County Scholarship program)
- Private/public partnership to address workforce housing shortage
- Outdoor recreation/lifestyle
If you could wave a magic wand, what would you want to work with MEDA on to move Maryland forward?
Identifying additional resources to support our work.
Please include any personal background information that you’d like to share (Alma mater, Military Service, hobbies, etc):
I am a two-time graduate of Frostburg State University (Bachelor of Science, Economics/ Master of Education)
