Dr. Sommers received a doctorate from The Ohio State University, where he also earned his master’s degree. His undergraduate alma mater is Miami University. He started his career as an agricultural education teacher and earned the Ohio Outstanding Young Agriculture Teacher Award. He has since earned widespread state and community recognition for contributions to business, education, and community service.

Dr. Sommers has served the Oklahoma and Ohio Governors as Secretary of Education and Education Policy Advisor and led the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education. He was also instrumental in transforming performance monitoring systems, program evaluation approaches, and career-technical funding systems with the Ohio Department of Education.