Cleveland State University (CSU) is pleased to announce that Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has appointed Diane M. Downing and Skye A. Carlson to the institution’s Board of Trustees.

Downing has had an extensive career dedicated to community leadership. She most recently led the launch and expansion of Say Yes Cleveland, an organization that provides support services and post-secondary tuition scholarships to the students and graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and partner charter schools. Her previous roles include senior vice president and director of Corporate Affairs for Huntington Bank and chief operating officer for the Republican National Convention’s Host Committee. Downing’s civic involvement spans several decades, serving as Cleveland district director for U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, vice president of Stadium Operations for the Cleveland Browns and deputy director of the Ohio Lottery. She has also served on various local boards, including those for Benjamin Rose, Karamu House and Beech Brook. Downing has earned numerous accolades throughout her career, including recognition as a Crain’s Cleveland Business Woman of Note and YWCA Greater Cleveland Woman of Achievement. Her term on the CSU Board of Trustees will run through May 1, 2033.

Carlson is a dynamic researcher and leader within the academic community as she pursues a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Biomedical Engineering at CSU. Her work focuses on developing advanced technologies for rehabilitation to improve the lives of individuals with spinal cord injuries. As a graduate research assistant at CSU’s Center for Human Machine Systems, Carlson has collaborated on innovative projects and presented her research at conferences. She has also co-authored articles in leading academic journals and is involved in the development of a patent-pending implant device for plantar repair. She is the president of CSU’s Spinal Cord Injury Volunteer Corps and has been recognized for her leadership with awards such as the Graduate Student Leadership Award from the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Carlson is serving a two-year term ending May 1, 2026.  

“It is an honor to welcome both Diane and Skye to the CSU Board of Trustees,” said CSU Board of Trustees Chair David Reynolds. “Diane’s leadership in education and community development, combined with her extensive civic experience, will bring invaluable perspectives to our Board, while Skye’s academic and research achievements will provide a fresh, student-centered perspective. Together, they will help guide CSU’s continued growth and innovation as we work to ensure the success of our students and the vitality of our community.”