Best Schools 2023: Local schools introduce new programs, campaigns and buildings to Greater Cincinnati and surrounding communities
Many colleges and universities are moving forward this year with new projects to create learning opportunities for their students and the community.
The University of Cincinnati (UC) recently opened its newest building, Clifton Court Hall, which is the campus’ largest classroom building at 185,000 square feet.
“The building is designed to be a collaborative, interdisciplinary space for people to share in a spontaneous way. The first thing you notice is the elegance, specifically the grand staircase in the atrium as you walk in,” says James Mack, the dean of UC’s College of Arts and Sciences.
Classrooms and labs in Clifton Court Hall host departments such as journalism; psychology; the School of Public and International Affairs; School of Communication, Film and Media Studies; Asian, Eastern European and German studies; philosophy; and romance and Arabic languages and literatures.
Mike Gasaway, assistant professor, says, “I couldn’t be more excited about it. What I really like is for students who come into the lab to feel creative.” Gasaway directs feature films and is interim director of UC’s Digital Media Collaborative. His students use the latest digital tools to work on game design, animation, short films, documentaries and more.
UC invested about $93 million into the project over a span of two years, and students are seeming to adjust well to the variety of diversity that Clifton Court Hall has to offer.
Jamie Accurso, director of planning at UC, says, “Because of the size and growth of the college, Arts and Sciences has been distributed across many buildings over the past decade. Clifton Court gives each of these departments a center of gravity and front door.”
Sinclair Community College has been selected this year to join a new national center focused on creating a much-needed space for IT training. According to a press release, “The National Information Technology Innovation Center (NITIC) will work with employers, community colleges across the country, and others to prepare highly skilled technicians through credential programs that take two years or less to complete.” The NITIC focuses on IT education. As technician jobs in STEM-enabled industries continue to grow at double the pace of average U.S. job growth, IT training becomes more in demand.
In the release, Kyle Jones, who serves as the chair and professor in Sinclair’s Computer Science and Information Technology Department, said, “Sinclair Community College is proud to join this innovative effort, which will play a crucial role in America’s tech economy.”
Some key components of the NITIC include the development of a national Business Industry Leadership Team to align future community college curriculum with employer demand; scaling up relationships at super-regional levels to national collaboration, the creation of an IT Innovation Network to benchmark best practices and emerging ideas to advance IT education nationally; the promotion of recruitment best practices to increase the participation of women, underrepresented minorities and veterans in IT careers and more.
“This initiative aligns with Sinclair’s mission to find the need and endeavor to meet it by providing our students with a world-class education and ensure they are well-prepared for the ever-evolving landscape of information technology. We look forward to collaborating with the NITIC partners in this endeavor and making a significant impact on the future of IT education and innovation,” said Jones.
Galen College of Nursing has announced that a new perioperative nursing elective course will be available to all Galen campus locations starting in January 2024.
According to a news release, this addition to the curriculum highlights Galen’s commitment to expanding educational opportunities, preparing nursing students for specialized roles and addressing a need within the health care landscape. Perioperative nursing is an area that demands extensive training and expertise.
A perioperative nurse carries out responsibilities involving everything from preoperative preparation to postoperative care.
“There are more than 15 OR (operating room) surgical specialties and each of them has technology specific to the specialty,” says Linda Groah, CEO and executive director of the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN). “It can take OR nurses nine to 12 months to be oriented in one or two specialties and up to two years to be oriented in all surgical specialties.”
The perioperative elective is crafted for students who want to dive deeper into the details of perioperative nursing, blending theoretical knowledge with practical application. Students will engage in field observations within a pre-selected perioperative setting, ensuring they gain an understanding of perioperative nursing.
Miami University Regionals is set to launch a new Cybersecurity and Networking major in the early 2024 spring semester. According to a news release, this new major will expand the choices for majors in the Computer and Information Technology (CIT) Department and ultimately meet the growing need for workers in the field of cybersecurity.
This degree is available for students to earn completely online. Students who earn a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with this major will be qualified for vital IT jobs such as cybersecurity analysts, ethical hackers, network administrators, information assurance specialists and more.
Miami University has been ranked third in the country for excellence in undergraduate teaching among public universities this year, according to U.S. News & World Report. According to a news release, among all universities, it is ranked 11th for undergraduate teaching programs.
The university also is near the top both overall and among national public universities in Learning Communities (sixth public, 17th overall), Undergraduate Engineering Programs No Doctorate – Mechanical (fifth among public universities excluding military institutions, 17th overall), Undergraduate Engineering Programs No Doctorate (seventh among public universities excluding military institutions, 30th overall), Study Abroad (ninth public, 34th overall), and Undergraduate Research/Creative Projects (10th public, 41st overall).
Miami University also was named in Best Value Schools – National Universities, Top Performers on Social Mobility – National Universities and Undergraduate Computer Science Programs.
Gateway Community & Technical College
Gateway Community & Technical College recently celebrated its 22nd graduating class of the Freestore Foodbank LIFT (Logistics, Inventory Management, Facilities Management and Transportation) workforce development program.
According to a press release, 14 individuals were awarded their credentials and were celebrated at this year’s graduation event. The LIFT program offers unemployed and underemployed adults throughout the Tristate region opportunities to receive valuable job training in a growing field, gain essential skills and obtain fundamental workforce training.
The free 10-week program based in Northern Kentucky supplies hands-on career training from experienced warehouse personnel at the Freestore Foodbank facility and specialized coursework designed by Gateway Community & Technical College, as well as links to local employment through other program partners.
“Gateway is extremely proud of the LIFT graduates and their accomplishments,” says Christi Godman, Gateway’s vice president of Workforce Solutions. “Our partnership with Freestore Foodbank has been invaluable in providing LIFT students with the resources and opportunities they need to succeed in their career paths.”
The LIFT program gives individuals a unique opportunity to earn essential job skills and credentials for employment in a growing industry. Program credentials include Certified Logistics Associate (CLA), Certified Logistics Technician (CLT), Forklift Operator License, Serv-safe Manager Certificate and the LIFT the TriState Certificate.
In addition to free job training, the LIFT program also offers supplies to each participating student with transportation, clothing and lunch throughout the program.
Xavier University ranks as a top-40 university nationally for undergraduate teaching. According to a news release, the latest U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges report ranked Xavier among the country’s largest and most influential universities for a second consecutive year.
The list placed Xavier at No. 39 for the undergraduate teaching category for national universities, a 15-spot rise from the previous year. The university was one of only 10 institutions to raise as many spots as possible in the category.
Xavier debuted as a national university on last year’s Best Colleges list following decades of steady expansion. More than 60% of the university’s students now hail from out of state, with more than 10 regional recruiters located in areas like Boston, New York City, Atlanta, St. Louis, Chicago, San Diego and many more.
Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) online Master of Science in computer science has been ranked among the best in the nation. According to a news release, Fortune ranked EKU’s program as No. 8 in the country.
Fortune’s rankings were based upon three components: selectivity, success and demand. This component speaks to the strength of students accepted to the program.
Strong students often lead to successful alumni, which helps shape how those in the field view the program. The rankings also considered program retention and graduation rates, and enrollment growth over two years.
EKU’s online MS in Computer Science program allows students to build upon professional expertise to take on complex technological problems and serve in management roles. The program also provides a path for those looking to enter the field and do not have previous coding experience.
Students can choose the certificate area that best complements their interests and career goals. Options include artificial intelligence in data science, cybersecurity and digital forensics and game design.
Cady Short-Thompson has been selected to be the seventh president of Northern Kentucky University this year. According to a news release, Short-Thompson is no stranger to NKU, having spent 14 years as an award-winning professor of communication and department chair from 1996-2010.
“I am ecstatic to return home to NKU, where my professional journey began, and to give back to the people and place that invested so fully in me,” says Short-Thompson about her inauguration.
“NKU’s values of excellence, engagement, student-centeredness and belonging are deep in me and I am eager to serve alongside NKU’s talented faculty, staff, students and alumni to lead this great institution forward. I love NKU and believe that it is entirely fitting that my first and final positions will be here.”
Mount St. Joseph University newest class is its largest and most diverse first-year class in the last decade. According to a news release, the university saw an 11% increase in its first-year enrollment, and a 6% increase in overall enrollment as compared to last year, marking a significant milestone for the university this year.
In addition to the size of the incoming class, the university experienced a 45% increase in diverse student population enrollment among first-year students. Underrepresented populations now comprise more than 26% of the total undergraduate student body.
“We are thrilled to welcome our largest class in over 10 years. The Mount continues to grow momentum by offering a values-centered education, nationally recognized academic programs, personalized attention, as well as championship Division III NCAA athletic programs and facilities,” says Chris Powers, Mount St. Joseph University’s vice president of Enrollment.
Southern State Community College
Southern State Community College has joined the Complete College Accelerator, an ambitious nationwide initiative to improve student success and close gaps in college access and completion. According to a press release, Southern State is one of 11 state partners, just over 80 higher education institutions nationwide, to join Complete College America, a national nonprofit organization on a mission to raise postsecondary attainment nationally, in the initial Complete College Accelerator cohort.
As part of the national Complete College Accelerator network, Southern State will have access to innovations and best practices from other Accelerator systems and institutions. Southern State will also share its successes and best practices with institutions nationwide as part of the Accelerator.
“We are pleased to have been selected in this highly competitive process,” says Erika Goodwin, Southern State’s vice president of Academic and Student Affairs. “We are excited to collaborate with institutional teams to improve college completion outcomes for populations of students who have historically been excluded from higher education.”
Thomas More University’s School of Education launched Kentucky’s first dyslexia institute this year. According to a news release, the institute supports students and the greater community through sharing resources that are intentionally designed to promote awareness and create change by highlighting the dyslexic profile.
Fully understanding the impact of dyslexia enables parents, teachers and employers to ensure dyslexic children and adults have the support needed to thrive. Programming through the institute includes assessment clinics, teacher training, direct family support and more.
“Thomas More is the first university in the Commonwealth to have a dyslexia specific resource for our students and our community,” says Kayla Steltenkamp, assistant professor in the School of Education. Steltenkamp is a renowned expert in the field of literacy and dyslexia and leads the new initiative.
All Thomas More education graduates are trained in identifying the characteristics of dyslexia and developing targeted interventions for student success. They also gain real world experience as they participate in the facilitation of the Dyslexia Institute’s programming. Students are also exposed to cutting-edge trends in the field as coursework directly aligns with current literacy research.
This gives pre-service teachers a solid foundation in content knowledge and effective instruction for all students. Outside the School of Education, Thomas More University also has the Institute for Learning Differences, which offers continuous support to dyslexic college students while they are earning their degree.
The Dyslexia Institute is one aspect of a new suite of offerings from the School of Education called the Education VILLA. Transformational offerings from the Education VILLA are set to roll out in three phases, with the Dyslexia Institute being part of phase one, launching in the 2023-24 academic year.
“The vibrancy of our communities in Northern Kentucky and throughout the Commonwealth require stronger schools and the most important investment that we can make is to ensure that every student has access to high-quality education and excellent teachers who care deeply about the education of children,” says University President Joseph L. Chillo.
Franklin University, a leading educator of working adults, announced the addition of its new Bachelor of Science in Analytics program.
According to a press release, Franklin’s online bachelor’s degree in Analytics program focuses on real-world application and includes multiple start dates, making earning a high-quality analytics degree accessible to those interested in boosting their marketability in a variety of in-demand roles and growing industries.
The University’s Analytics program is designed to achieve proficiency with SQL, Python, R and Tableau while tailoring the degree to one’s strengths and interests with one of three focus areas: applied data science, health care analytics and business analytics.
Bellarmine University has launched new partnerships with Centre College and Transylvania University to help keep its graduating students in Kentucky as they pursue graduate school.
According to a news release, the collaboration offers students and alumni from both schools guaranteed graduate admission at Bellarmine and discounted tuition for many of its graduate programs, along with opportunities for scholarships and financial aid intended to help make graduate school affordable.
“These pathways are a win for eligible students, and a win for the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” says Susan M. Donovan, Bellarmine’s president. “Because we know these students will be well-prepared for graduate school, we can offer them a streamlined path to pursue a variety of excellent and affordable advanced degrees without leaving the state. After they complete both of their degrees, they will be equipped for lives of leadership and service here in Kentucky.”
In addition to current and future graduates from the two institutions, Transylvania and Centre alumni are also eligible for guaranteed admission and discounted graduate school tuition at Bellarmine.
Bellarmine offers more than 30 graduate and accelerated second-degree programs in a variety of disciplines, including business, communication, data engineering, digital media, education and health care.
Cincinnati State announced a $1.5 million investment to help address the critical shortage of nurses in the county this year. According to a news release, grant funds from Hamilton County will make it possible to expand the college’s associate degree Nursing program that prepares students for Registered Nurse credentialing, and the certificate programs that prepare students for Licensed Practical Nurse and State-Tested Nurse Aidecredentials. Hamilton County Commission President Alicia Reese and Commissioner Denise Driehaus visited Cincinnati State to announce the $1.5 million investment.
The investment also aims to increase the number and percentage of LPN and RN nurses from underrepresented backgrounds in Hamilton County. Money for the grant came from federal stimulus funds from The America Rescue Plan Act.
The vacancy rate for full-time registered nurses at regional hospitals is currently almost 14.5%, or about 1,500 nurses, according to data from The Health Collaborative.
“This investment is a critical step in addressing the nursing shortage in the county,” says Reese. “The pandemic has made it even more clear that we need more nurses.”
God’s Bible School and College
Students at God’s Bible School and College in Cincinnati can now earn master’s degrees in Apologetics, Biblical Studies, Ministry or Theology.
According to a news release, there are also several concentrations available, such as Chaplaincy, Leadership, Muslim ministry and more. Master’s programs are offered 100% online, and pastors receive a discounted rate of $340 per credit for any of these degrees.
Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science
Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science (CCMS) held a grand opening for its long-awaited Education Cremation Center (ECC) in September this year.
According to a news release, the new ECC is a cutting-edge enterprise that will take the college, students and CCMS’s profession boldly into the future. ECC will include the world’s most advanced cremator, auto-loader and dustless processing station.
The ECC serves to educate students, licensed practitioners and crematory operators through observation and participation in actual cremation and alkaline hydrolysis operations. The ECC will deliver hands-on instruction while reinforcing dignity and respect for the deceased.
The building is described as the new centerpiece of CCMS’ initiative to transform deathcare education, the goal of which is to provide students and practitioners with hands-on opportunity to participate in advanced cremation operations.
