Local colleges are adding new programs and pathways to better education in the Tristate

This year, many local colleges in the Greater Cincinnati area are working to increase not only the quality of their educations, but also the accessibility of their programs. From a food pantry for low-resource students to new online programs to grants for new startups, these schools are stepping up their game.

Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science

Founded in 1882 by the “father of American embalming schools,” Joseph H. Clarke, Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science is the oldest mortuary school in the country. The school has a rich history and a unique curriculum offering bachelor’s and associate degree programs in addition to certificates, such as crematory operations, funeral celebrant and more.

A new addition to the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science is its online program. This online program saw its first cohort this fall and is offered for both bachelor’s and associate programs. What’s more, the school says it is already working on making this program asynchronous to increase its accessibility. The online program is taught by death care professionals alongside the in-person classes. The online program has the same prerequisites as the in-person programs and is still pending accreditation approval from the HLC and ABFSE, as well as Title IV financial aid funding.

Gateway Community and Technical College

Gateway Community and Technical College is a two-year college in Florence, Kentucky. This public college draws many students to the area, providing them with education and technical training. Prospective students are allowed to start their higher education early in the college’s programs for high school seniors. Additionally, Gateway offers apprenticeship programs, associate programs and other two-year programs to help lead students to success.

A new program offered by the college is its lineworker program. This program equips high school seniors with hands-on skills, experience and credentials to enter the energy workforce.

Gateway is also providing support for its students with its Food for Thought Pantry. Distributing 34,000 pounds of food in the past year alone, students can access shelf-stable foods, fresh produce, dairy, eggs and protein from the pantry.

Miami University

Miami University temporarily installed a three-dimensional, nearly 8-foot-tall “M” statue outside the Cincinnati Aronoff Center for the Arts. The art installation was created in collaboration with the Cincinnati Arts Association, the nonprofit that oversees the Aronoff Center and Music Hall.

“When people think of these facilities, they think of world-class talent and large Broadway shows, but they are so much more,” says Bridget Benton, chief operating officer of the Cincinnati Arts Association. “We are a connector that brings the arts into schools, hospitals, neighborhoods and the lives of people across Greater Cincinnati.”

The beveled “M” statue is similar to ones on display on Miami’s campuses. The piece has been specifically engineered for durability and safety and serves as a symbol of the university’s commitment to southwest Ohio and the promotion of the arts.

“The art installation at the Aronoff Center represents the heartfelt connection Miami University has to the region and the many Miamians who call Cincinnati home,” says Jessica Rivinius, vice president and chief marketing and communications officer at Miami.

Also, in support of arts and humanities, Miami University’s Humanities Center has been renamed the Altman Institute for the Humanities in recognition of John W. Altman’s longtime support of the humanities at Miami. Altman, a member of the Class of 1960, gave a new $1.5 million matching gift to the school, which has the potential to raise a total of $3 million for the Altman Institute and add a new curriculum fund. The gift will fund research apprenticeships, applied-learning labs and student-driven projects.

“We are deeply grateful to the Altman family for their ongoing support of Miami University and its mission,” says Gregory Crawford, president of Miami University. “Their generosity is helping move Miami forward and will benefit generations of Miamians for years to come.”

The curriculum fund, which will be overseen by the institute, will ensure that students gain access to discussion-based courses focused on classic questions and pedagogical learning. The Altman Institute has grown significantly since its inception 15 years ago, with 15 programs fostering public engagement and research. It will continue to grow with Altman’s funding gift.

Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky University’s (NKU) Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship has been awarded nearly $1 million by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support paid opportunities for students while providing talent to regional startups. NKU is partnering with the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation and Kentucky Commercialization Ventures (KCV) to create these opportunities.

The grant will help launch the NKU INVENT Start-up Internship Program and a collaborative initiative with KCV—the KCV INVENT fellowship. The programs will provide training, mentorship, real-world work experience and cross-sector collaboration. In addition, the grant will fund the expansion of the Haile College of Business.

The NKU INVENT program will provide up to seven weeks of innovation and commercialization training before participants are matched with paid internships at partnering startups. The program will also provide stipends and flexible scheduling to allow participants to fully engage in real-world experience.

“We are proud to partner with KCV and grateful to the NSF for recognizing the strength of this collaboration,” says Hassan HassabElnaby, dean of the Haile College of Business.

Additionally, NKU will be the future home of the Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA), an annual three-week arts residency program for high schoolers in Kentucky. NKU will host the program for three years beginning in 2026.

The intensive arts program provides cross-disciplinary learning, special guest performances and lectures, and access to scholarships. Instruction will be offered in nine disciplines: architecture and design, creative writing, dance, drama, film and photography, instrumental music, musical theater, visual art, and vocal music.

“I’m excited about our growing partnership with NKU and what it represents for the future of arts education in Kentucky,” says Jason Brooks, director of the GSA.

Sinclair Community College

Sinclair Community College and Wright State University have launched a new program making it easier for students to transfer from Sinclair to Wright State to complete their bachelor of science in engineering technology. The degree will address growing workforce demands in advanced manufacturing and other technical fields.

Technicians with associate degrees are in high demand by manufacturers across Ohio. The new agreement includes 10 associate degree programs at Sinclair that will lead to Wright State’s program.

“This partnership ensures a seamless public-school pathway to a high-demand, well-paying career in engineering technology,” says Darryl Ahner, dean of Wright State’s College of Engineering and Computer Science.