The enrollment numbers, though unofficial until Sept. 12, show the university is heading “in the right direction,” she said.
Summers believes within the next two years, enrollment at the downtown campus that opened in August 2012 in the former Duke Energy building, 1. N. Main St., can double if the trend continues. She said staff spent the summer recruiting students in Butler, Warren and Montgomery counties. They attended festivals and fairs and sponsored one of the First Fridays in downtown Middletown.
She said one recruiter specializes in high school students while another recruits non-traditional college students at community events and churches.
“We have a highly skilled, experienced team,” said Summers, who was named director six weeks ago.
The college also has sent out frequent e-mail blasts and hosted a one-day registration event on a Saturday, she said.
She mentioned three selling points offered at Cincinnati State Middletown, the first branch campus in Butler County.
The college offers four major areas of study: business technologies, center for innovative technologies, health and public safety, and humanities and sciences and those encompass more than 30 programs. She said Cincinnati State is known for its co-op program that prepares students for the workforce before they graduate, making them “employable.”
Also, she said, since Cincinnati State has a 12-to-1 teacher/student ratio that affords students individualized learning in a friendly environment.
“We know names and that surprises them a little,” said Summers, who makes it a point to introduce herself to students.
Tuition at Cincinnati State Middletown is $148 a credit hour or $1,800 for a full-time students taking 12 hours, she said. But most of the students receive federal assistance or scholarships, she said.
Mario Treglia, 19, a 2016 Lakota West High School graduate, said he took free college courses through the College Credit Plus program last year at Cincinnati State. He returned this fall because it’s an easy drive from West Chester Twp. to Middletown and the class sizes are small, he said.
“People here are down-to-earth,” said Treglia, who hopes to eventually transfer to the University of Cincinnati and study business finance.
Cheyenne Hensley, 18, a 2016 Edgewood graduate, hopes to earn her associate’s degree in culinary arts at Cincinnati State. She likes the short drive from her home and the money she is saving on traditional room and board.
Safety was one reason Erica Burns, 19, a 2016 Lakota West graduate, chose Cincinnati State. She said she’s impressed by the cleanliness and safety measures at the downtown campus. There is a full-time security officer at the entrance and an officer periodically patrols the parking lot.
Summers wants to continue to expand Cincinnati State’s footprint throughout the region, while still concentrating on attracting Butler County students. She has joined surrounding chambers of commerce.
The Butler County region is unique because of the educational opportunities, she said. She mentioned Butler Tech, Miami University Middletown and Cincinnati State, and said the three are not in competition, but rather work in collaboration.
“I love our partnership,” she said. “We offer an opportunity for students to grow, and an opportunity for the community.”
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