Annual Guide to Colleges and Universities – Local colleges and universities are planning for the future with new programs, buildings and more
With students back in school, local colleges and universities are looking for ways to expand their offerings. We checked in with several of the region’s schools to see what they’re doing to make sure students are ready for the future.
Sinclair Community College
Sinclair Community College recently opened its newly expanded and renovated Industrial Maintenance and Technology Lab (IMT).
“This venture strengthens our ability to educate and train more people to meet high-demand workforce needs in sectors throughout southwest Ohio,” said Dr. Steve Johnson, the president of the college, in a statement released by the school. “It is an investment in our students’ futures and in the region’s workforce.”
The renovation, on which the college spent $1.2 million, began late last year and was unveiled back in June, making the expanded facility available to train students for in-demand careers in smart manufacturing and automation in the new school year.
Students in the IMT program will be trained in installing, maintaining and troubleshooting modern industrial machinery along with learning to solve common maintenance problems and reading and interpreting mechanical drawings and maintenance publications.
The renovation also expanded the Workforce Development Lab featuring Sinclair’s SkillsTrac Industrial Maintenance Training Program, allowing employers to tailor training to their specific needs while also reducing the time workers are away from the job, according to the statement.
Southern State Community College
Southern State Community College recently unveiled a new supercomputer to assist in the college’s research programs.
According to a statement released by the college, the computer is capable of searching outer space for alien life while also helping stop the spread of COVID-19.
“This is an amazing example of student-selected, project-based learning,” said Josh Montgomery, computer science professor, in the statement.
Montgomery added that the computer has been used to research COVID-19 in hopes of slowing its spread in addition to programs such as the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, which searches for evidence of technological civilizations elsewhere in the universe.
The idea for purchasing this supercomputer came from two Southern State students, Derick Caplinger and Chad Park, who received a $40,000 Regionally Aligned Priorities Delivering Skills Grant from the Ohio Department of Education along with the federal Perkins Grant to help fund the purchase.
Thomas More University
Thomas More University in Crestview Hills, Kentucky, recently announced a collaboration with the United States Environmental Protection Agency to focus on air, energy, chemical safety, sustainable waters and sustainable communities research programs of mutual interest to benefit the Center for Environmental Measurement and Modeling (CEMM) and the institution, according to a statement released by the university.
The program is open to collaboration among all the university’s departments, but the main focus is on the university’s Biology Field Station, a research facility that focuses on the Ohio River.
“Undergraduate research and student development are at the heart of the Biology Field Station’s programs and mission,” said Chris Lorentz, field station director, in the statement. “This agreement with the EPA provides amazing research opportunities for our students and faculty to collaborate with the nation’s leading scientists in the fields of environmental science, sustainability and water quality.”
The university also announced that three of its colleges will have new deans for the 2021-2022 school year. Joe Christensen will serve as dean of the College of Natural & Health Sciences. Kimberly Haverkos will serve as dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Bruce Rosenthal will serve as dean of the College of Business. This comes as Thomas More continues expanding and adding colleges after being granted university status in 2018.
“This is an exciting time at Thomas More,” Provost Molly Smith said in a statement released by the university.
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati recently broke ground on several new projects on its Uptown campus, including the new College of Law building. The $29 million dollar project was approved by the UC Board of Trustees in 2017 and is expected to open in Fall 2022.
“The new College of Law building perfectly reflects our mission to educate and inspire the next generation of changemakers,” College of Law Dean Verna Williams said in a statement released by the university. “It’s where students will launch their futures—be it working in the corporate arena, public service or the international human rights field.”
The university also began its renovation on Calhoun Hall, an 800-student residence hall. The renovation will cost the school $80.4 million and is expected to open in August 2023. Some included improvements are a new exterior, new elevator and the replacement of the hall’s mechanical, electrical and plumbing networks, according to the statement.
The university also opened a variety of new dining options on campus. The most notable changes come in the Tangeman University Center’s (TUC) food court. In addition to the already existing Chick-fil-A, the university has added a Panda Express, a Qdoba and Switch’n Kitchen—a partnership between the university and local restaurants, which switches out a new and local restaurant on a monthly basis.
Mobile ordering is also now available for some of the dining options on campus. Students can download the Transact app and search for Cincy to Go. Chick-fil-A is available for mobile ordering and Qdoba and Panda Express are expected to be added shortly. Students will also be able to use mobile ordering for campus Starbucks through the Starbucks app.
Xavier University
Xavier University will inaugurate its 35th president, Colleen M. Hanycz, in a variety of events over five days Oct 23-28. Hanycz was previously the president of La Salle University in Philadelphia and will be Xavier’s first lay and female president.
“Xavier is a school on the move. It has benefited from tremendous leadership, great colleagues and a highly engaged student body, all of which are supported by a passionate alumni community in a strong region,” Hanycz said in a statement released by the university “When these elements converge around a mission to make the world better, the possibilities are endless.”
The theme of the inauguration is “The Ignatian Year” in reference to St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. This year marks the 500th anniversary of Ignatius’ injury during the Battle of Pamplona. Events for the week-long celebration include a brunch for students and their families, an academic showcase, a missioning mass and an installation ceremony, all to celebrate the new president.
Xavier also recently opened its new Health United Building (HUB). The building is a part of a partnership between Xavier and TriHealth and opened Aug. 16. According to the school’s website, the state-of-the-art campus facility embodies the mission of health and wellness that is important to Xavier’s Catholic and Jesuit educational mission of the care of the whole person.
The new facility will include three fitness studios, three basketball courts, a weight room and a four-lane pool. In addition to the recreation center, the HUB will also include other health-related elements such as a primary health care clinic, a mental health center, a pharmacy and a wellness coordinator. A self-serve indoor market will also be located in the building along with five of Xavier’s academic departments and the College of Nursing.
Xavier also recently opened the Heidt Family Champions Center. According to the school’s website, the project cost $14 million and is “home of Xavier’s Olympic sports and the nearly 250 student-athletes who call it home.”
The center will give new space for many of Xavier’s sports teams, including its soccer, swimming, cross country and track teams, to use for strength and athletic training. Other features include locker rooms, office spaces for coaches, recruiting areas and nutritional fuel stations for both pre- and post-workout.
Northern Kentucky University
In Highland Heights, Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University was awarded $1 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services as part of the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program.
“This past year, opioid overdose deaths surged across the country, driven by the isolation caused by the coronavirus pandemic and the flood of dangerous fentanyl coming across our borders. Kentucky has tragically suffered one of the worst spikes in overdose deaths in the nation. With today’s federal grant announcement, we are continuing our efforts to reverse this painful trend,” said Senator Mitch McConnell in a statement released by the college.
This grant is intended to assist rural residents in gaining access to resources such as different treatments, recovery aid and many more supplies.
In 2019, NKU received a prior award of $1 million to support the residents of Owen County. This new funding will assist with the development of the same program in Carroll County.
“Overdose rates in Kentucky have increased by 53% over the past year—the second-highest increase among all states. Our goal is to help Kentucky’s rural communities overcome many structural health care challenges, and it starts with expanding access and recovery services for those battling substance use disorder,” said NKU President Ashish Vaidya in the statement. “We are grateful for Senator McConnell’s advocacy on behalf of the Commonwealth, and his support of NKU as we develop a deeper culture of health for the region.”
Cincinnati State
The Aviation program at Cincinnati State recently formed a new partnership with Kenton County Schools. This partnership will enable 15 junior high school students to work toward an Aviation Maintenance Technology Degree.
“The Kenton County School District has been a wonderful partner in developing this program, which is an extraordinary example that education has no boundaries when it comes to preparing students for our regional workforce,” said Monica Posey, Cincinnati State president, in a statement.
After completing the required courses, the students will have three national certifications and will have earned up to 29 college credits.
“The Kenton County School District has been a wonderful partner in developing this program, which is an extraordinary example that education has no boundaries when it comes to preparing students for our regional workforce,” said Posey, according to a statement released from the college.
Aviation Maintenance Technology Program Chair Jeff Wright said more than 40 high school students are taking classes at Cincinnati West this fall and will earn certifications as a result of their college courses, according to a statement released from the college.
Kenton County Schools Superintendent Henry Webb thanked Cincinnati State, the Kenton County School board members, Team Kenton Foundation, the Greater Cincinnati Foundation and the KCSD Transportation Department for assistance in “making this world-class educational opportunity happen for students, which will ensure our scholars are college and career ready.”
Indiana Tech
This past summer, Indiana Tech was once again named an approved education provider for the Workforce Ready Grant, in which $2 million can be used to assist almost 300 qualified students in completing their undergraduate program without charge. Provided by the state, the Workforce Ready Grant was created to help residents within the state of Indiana to receive training in high-demand professions in fields like health sciences, business, construction, information technology, manufacturing and many more.
“Indiana Tech is pleased to be part of the Indiana Workforce Ready program for a second year,” said Steve Herendeen, vice president for enrollment management at Indiana Tech, in a statement from the college. “Our industry-focused undergraduate certificates are designed to help students build the skills and knowledge they need to be ready for the jobs of the future.”
Students at Indiana Tech that meets the required qualifications are eligible to have their undergraduate certificates financed by the grant. Undergraduate certificates options include basic accounting, construction management, business analytics, health care administration and human resources management.
Marian University
Marian University’s Colleges of Arts and Sciences has partnered with The Fred S. Klipsch Educators College on the Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship, a $1.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The goal of the grant is to increase the number of undergraduate students considering careers teaching STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
According to a statement released from the college, “This scholarship will expand our reach to current students and help diversify the teacher population in high-need schools,” says LaTonya Turner, dean of the Educators College. “It is especially critical to recruit and train secondary STEM teachers into highly skilled, proficient educators, using the best rubrics taught by the most highly qualified education faculty in the state.”
Decatur Township Schools, Perry Township Schools and Indianapolis Public Schools are partnering with Marian University. The Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship will enable students at these schools to receive scholarships that can be used toward earning this type of degree, give freshmen and sophomore students at Marian who are already pursuing STEM degrees to access professional development and provide a supportive network for new STEM teachers.
Matt Hollowell, assistant professor of education, spoke about what makes this grant unique in a statement released by the school: “The first year of teaching presents challenges that can be difficult to navigate without a comprehensive support system. The Noyce grant will allow Marian faculty to continue to collaborate with our STEM alumni so that they receive the ongoing professional support they need to be highly effective STEM educators.”
Indiana Wesleyan University
Indiana Wesleyan University’s Marion campus recently announced a new scholarship, called the 21st Century Scholarship. Students enrolling in the fall of 2022 are eligible to apply.
Indiana high school graduates who earn the title of 21st Century Scholar with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and are eligible for the Pell Grant will be granted full tuition from Indiana Wesleyan University.
“We currently have a 21st Century Scholar adviser who is already working with all first-year students to provide connection and information. Beginning in the fall of 2022, the 21st Century Scholar adviser will serve as the first-year adviser to students in tandem with a faculty advisor,” said Dr. Crystal Keetch, director of Registration & Academic Services (RAS) and First-Year Advising, in a statement released by the college.
Over the past year, $25 million has been invested within the university to support students in the form of grants and scholarships. The 21st Century Scholarship is an example of the endless amount of support the university has to offer to support students’ degrees and their bright futures.
The scholarship will also assist students as they transition from high school to a college campus. Indiana Wesleyan University is prepared to support all new students throughout their college experience.
