Bio of Dr. Sykes

Dr. Vernon Sykes was the Founder and Director of the Columbus Program .  He was also an Assistant Professor of the Department of Political Science,  Kent State University for 17 years. Dr. Sykes is now retired.  

He has also had a long and productive career in public service. In addition to working for Summit County government, he served two terms on the Akron City Council and 18 years in the Ohio House of Representatives. Currently Dr. Sykes is serving his first term in the Ohio State Senate, representing the 28th district.  Dr. Sykes serves both in Columbus and as Director of the program.
 
Dr. Sykes holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University, a Master of Economics from Wright State University,a Master of Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government,and a Ph.D.in Public Administration from the University of Akron. It is this combination of academic training and political experience that makes Dr. Sykes an ideal director of the Columbus Program in State Issues.