UCBA Alumni Council

Henry Comer’s Biography

When deciding to attend college, Henry Comer chose to start at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College and enrolled in the Pre-Psychology Program. After graduating, he went on to the Clifton campus for his bachelor’s degree in Psychology. As a non-traditional student, he chose to start at UCBA because he felt it was a place where the professors were dedicated to providing a rigorous and supporting academic environment that would be conducive to learning and ensure his success in the classroom. He has often reflected on feeling a “sense of community” during his time at the UCBA campus.

Since graduating, Henry has become the co-owner of a highly respectable childcare center, Mandy’s Daycare of London, located in Madison County, Ohio near the Columbus area. He also sits on several boards in the greater-Columbus area.

He attributes his success to the strong professional foundation that he was able to lay during his time at UC Blue Ash. As a result, and in spite of his demanding schedule, he has made the ongoing commitment to support the efforts of the College. He continues to be actively involved in UCBA’s scholarship fundraising effort and in several student success initiatives. Henry summarized his dedication by saying, “I wanted to give back to ensure that current and future students receive the same quality education and sense of community that I received.” For many years now, Henry is one of the loyal alumni that we call upon to support the mission of UCBA.

He is currently the Chair of the UC Blue Ash Alumni Council.

A fun fact about Henry is that during a previous stint at the University of Cincinnati, he played football.

Ken Suer’s Biography

Ken Suer is a retired educator with many years of service as a high school teacher, counselor and administrator. He also worked for more than a decade as an adjunct instructor for the Communications Department at a local community college.

In addition to his vibrant career as an educator, Ken simultaneously served in local government for more than two decades. He is a current member of the Montgomery City Council and has also served the council as Vice-Mayor and Mayor.

When asked to reflect on the significance of his time at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College, he warmly shared, “As the first person in my family to attend college, UCBA was a great place for me to get started.”

After multiple successful careers, Ken’s commitment to the College remains strong and unwavering. Ken explains his reason for staying involved with UCBA this way, “All these years later, UCBA is still an excellent place to begin your journey in higher education. I decided to get involved to further the goals of UCBA and help students to succeed.”

He is currently the Co-Vice Chair of the UCBA Alumni Council.

Ken lives in Montgomery, Ohio with his wife Carol. His children and grandchildren live in Columbus, Ohio. To relax, Ken enjoys woodworking and woodcarving. He has built many unique pieces from clocks to furniture.

Jessica Brawand’s Biography

Jessica Brawand earned her Associate of Arts in Communication from UC Blue Ash College. She went on to the Clifton Campus to earn three bachelor’s degrees! She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

She has always been a Bearcat at heart. After graduating, after graduating, she began working as an Academic Advisor in UC’s Center for Pathways Advising & Student Success, located on our Clifton campus. She also she oversees the Transfer Ambassador volunteer program, coordinates a variety of student events, and specializes in assisting our UCBA students in the transition to Clifton.

Jessica kindly reflects on her time at the College this way, “UCBA has had a tremendous impact on my life and played a huge role in shaping who I am and where I am today. After suffering some debilitating health problems, I was led to believe I would never obtain a college degree.” After years of persisting and pushing through her chronic illness, she decided to attend college. She credits her mother for encouraging her to check out UCBA. She explained, “The moment I stepped on campus I knew it was for me.” She explains that after starting, “I fell in love with my classes.”

She quickly became involved, serving as a Student Orientation Leader and Student Ambassador. She credits these experiences with strengthening her leadership skills and for helping her form lasting relationships. She shared that, “UCBA is where everything started for me – my life became better after starting there, and my roots are forever planted in UC Blue Ash.” After graduating from UCBA, she committed to joining the UCBA Alumni Council.

Jessica serves as the Co-Vice Chair of the UC Blue Ash Alumni Council.

A fun fact about Jessica is that she met her boyfriend in line at the UCBA bookstore during her first week of classes. They started their educational journey together, graduated together, and are still going strong.

Kara Sanders has focused her career on ensuring that others have the resources available to them so that they can excel at their jobs and, in turn, provide great lives for themselves and their families. As the Craftforce Development Executive at Messer Construction Co., she is able to live that mission, as she oversees the learning and development of 600+ craft workers and promotes workforce development and inclusion in the construction trades.

Kara is a fighter for equality and believes that all people – regardless of the circumstances that life has presented – deserve the opportunity to learn, grow and be the absolute best versions of themselves. She believes that everyone deserves a fair shot and that mindset is clear not only in her work, but also in how she treats everyone she meets.

Throughout her career, she has been honored for her work both professionally and in the community. One of Kara’s proudest moments was in 2018 when she and her sister, Kristin Moser, started the Karen Sanders Nursing Scholarship at the University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College in honor of their mother. This scholarship is awarded yearly to a single mother studying nursing at UCBA. Kara and her sister understand the dedication and fortitude it takes to raise a family on your own while going to school and they hope this scholarship will encourage and assist its recipient to realize their dreams of becoming a nurse.

In addition to financially supporting UCBA, she also serves on the UCBA Alumni Council.

Kara keeps busy in her mission of service to others. She sits on the Board of Directors for The Library Foundation of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, is a member of ArtsWave’s Pride Steering Committee, and is a senior leader of the Messer Women in Construction affinity group.