Finding her stride: Lynn Moomaw reflects on a year of leadership, partnership and growth

If you've ever driven through Smithville, chances are you've spotted Lynn Moomaw out on a run. While she may no longer be logging miles, the determination, discipline and perseverance that defined her running days continue to shape her leadership style. Today, those qualities are helping guide the Wayne County Schools Career Center (WCSCC) as Moomaw reflects on her first year as superintendent.

Moomaw, who became superintendent on August 1, 2025, was interested in the role because of her love for education and a desire to gain a broader perspective of the organization. Enjoying both the internal and external aspects of the position, she especially values the partnerships and the relationships the Career Center has built over the years. “The partnerships and being involved in that—that’s what I love,” said Moomaw.

Not only has Moomaw been impressed by the teachers and staff at the WCSCC, but she has also been amazed by the number of organizations that play a role in student success.

"I'm amazed by the strength of our partnerships," said Moomaw. "From our School Resource Officer and organizations like Goodwill Industries of Wayne and Holmes Counties and OHuddle to our homeschool districts that remain highly engaged with their students, there are so many people invested in helping our students succeed."

Moomaw also expressed gratitude for the Career Center's business and higher education partnerships. Local employers provide valuable work-based learning opportunities, host student placements and regularly share industry expertise with students. In addition, advisory committee members help ensure programs, equipment and curriculum remain aligned with current workforce needs.

The Career Center also works closely with The College of Wooster, The University of Akron Wayne College and The Ohio State University CFAES Wooster Campus. During the recent Ag Mechanics building renovation, Ohio State welcomed Career Center students to experience its agricultural programs, allowing renovation work to begin earlier than anticipated.

The importance of partnerships also influenced many of Moomaw's priorities during her first year as superintendent. One of her primary goals was developing a new strategic plan for the Career Center. "The Career Center hadn’t completed a strategic plan in several years,” said Moomaw. “It was definitely time, and it was neat to see how it came together with input from several of our stakeholders, including business partners, homeschool districts, parents, students and staff, and the Board recently adopted the plan.”

Another priority for Moomaw was to improve communication both internally and externally. "We want to make sure we're benefiting the community just as much as the community benefits us, so improving communication was a major focus,” said Moomaw.

One of Moomaw’s favorite parts of the job is watching students evolve. Whether it’s at the Best in Workforce Senior Breakfast, which honors the top placement student in each career program, or at the Senior Recognition ceremony, which is largely run by students, Moomaw enjoys seeing students gain the confidence and skills needed to be successful in their chosen career paths.

"One of my favorite examples of how everything comes together was seeing one of our students win a national gold medal in Practical Nursing at SkillsUSA, a national career-tech student competition,” said Moomaw. “At the same event, a local Wayne County company had employees volunteering and supporting the competition. To see our business partners investing in students while watching one of our own achieve success on a national stage was special. That's what it's all about—seeing students succeed."

Student success is also reflected in the Career Center's continued growth. With enrollment expected to approach 900 students during the 2026-2027 school year, the WCSCC has built a strong reputation over the past 50 years by preparing students for in-demand careers. Generations of Wayne County families have benefited from its programs.

"We've been successful because of our balance," said Moomaw. "We have a good mix of programs, from agriculture and healthcare to manufacturing and business, and a strong alignment with local workforce needs."

Preparing students for the workforce goes beyond technical training. Employers consistently stress the importance of reliability, communication skills and showing up ready to work. In response, the Career Center has expanded initiatives such as its Drug Free Club and driver's education program. “More than 500 students voluntarily participate in our Drug Free Club each year,” said Moomaw. “We were pleased to have approximately 60 students complete driver's education this past school year. As fewer students are obtaining driver's licenses, the program helps remove a barrier to employment and work-based learning opportunities."

The Career Center also continues to adapt its programming to meet workforce needs. While Welding, Cosmetology, Early Childhood Education and Power Line Technologies remain among the school's most popular programs, newer offerings such as Fire/EMT and Cybersecurity have launched with strong enrollment. “Our advisory committees, labor market data and student interest all play a role in determining new programs and ensuring students are prepared for in-demand careers,” said Moomaw.

As the Career Center continues to grow, keeping pace with changing technology and workforce demands remains a constant challenge. From renovating labs to launching new programs, maintaining industry-standard equipment and facilities requires ongoing investment. “We currently operate 27 career-tech labs, each with unique equipment and space requirements,” said Moomaw. At the same time, additional student support services and adult education programs continue to increase demands on available space.

Moomaw also sees technology and artificial intelligence reshaping education and industry. "Every career field is being impacted differently," she said. "We're learning alongside everyone else how AI will influence the workplace and how we can best prepare students for those changes. As jobs become more sophisticated, we need to become more sophisticated along with them. Every program has specialized equipment and technology, and it's important that our students are learning on the same tools they'll be using in the workforce."

While state funding changes are still being evaluated, Moomaw said schools across Ohio will need to adapt as more details become available. For the Career Center, that means continuing to balance facility improvements, equipment upgrades and student support services while preparing students for an ever-changing workforce.

The running paths may have been traded for swimming lanes, but Moomaw's focus on steady progress, discipline and perseverance remains the same. If her first year as superintendent is any indication, the Wayne County Schools Career Center is well-positioned to keep pace with the evolving needs of students, employers and Wayne County for years to come.

To learn more about the Wayne County Schools Career Center, visit wayne-jvs.k12.oh.us