MARIETTA, OHIO —The Washington State College of Ohio (WSCO) Foundation selected Shoshanna Brooker and Dr. Angela McCutcheon Cornelius as its 2020 WSCO Distinguished Alumni for Professional Achievement. The distinction is presented annually to graduates who exhibit the qualities of professional leadership that represent the mission and goals of the college.
Shoshanna Brooker ’95 began her college pursuits while enrolled at Warren High School as a post-secondary education option (PSEO) student. After earning her Associate of Arts, Liberal Arts Transfer degree from WSCO, Brooker transferred to Ohio University where she graduated with a bachelor’s in Communications. Her career began in the corporate world working with companies such as General Electric and Mac Tools. But with a passion for law, she returned to the classroom and received her Juris Doctorate from Capital Law School in 2004.
Soon after graduation from law school, Brooker opened her own law practice in Marietta. Then in 2013, she became Washington County Common Pleas Court Magistrate. Her 17-year legal career has focused primarily on criminal law, school law, domestic relations and issues surrounding poverty.
In addition to now serving as Magistrate, Brooker runs her families’ camping and water park business. She has also served on numerous community boards at both the state and county levels. They include the Washington County Pro Bono Clinic, the Washington County Driving Clinic, Rural Action, Wasco, Inc., and Ohio Legal Aid. Brooker also served on the Washington State College of Ohio Board of Trustees from 2008 to 2014. She and her husband, Jeff, live and raise their daughter Lakyn on her family’s farm in Fleming, Ohio.
Dr. Angela McCutcheon Cornelius ’87, ’89 earned an Associate of Applied Business, Data Processing Technology degree from WSCO in addition to a certificate in Accounting. She then earned her bachelor’s in management and master’s in education from Marietta College. After earning her associate degree, she served as the first PC computer technician at the Washington County Department of Human Services (WCDHS). Cornelius then embarked on a 30-year career in education, serving in multiple roles throughout the State of Ohio. Her experience in higher education began at WSCO where she worked for 16 years as an instructor and Director of the Computer Application Learning Center. Cornelius played a vital role in the expansion of the WSCO campus as she co-authored the grant that resulted in the construction of the $1.7 million Center for Business and Technology.
Cornelius later worked in the Ohio University Graduate College as Director of Electronic Operations for seven years where she completed her Ph.D. She wrote her dissertation on the emerging technology topic of Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD) and went on to start the Ohio ETD Association in 2006 and the United States ETD Association in 2010 to educate students, faculty and staff on online publishing and research.
After completing her Ph.D., she worked as the Technology Supervisor at Newark City Schools, Chair of Information Technology at Owens Community College, and is currently the Manager of Graduate Admissions Operations at Bowling Green State University. Cornelius plans to retire in 2021 with 33 years of public service.
“Shoshanna and Angie have illustrious careers and serve as leaders both among their peers and in their communities. As professionals they represent the excellence and success that inspires our future WSCO graduates. We are proud they are part of the 50 year history of Washington State,” said WSCO President Dr. Vicky Wood.
