We are One Miami — strong connections across our Oxford campus and regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, plus the Voice of America Learning Center in West Chester — all dedicated to one mission and purpose. We are innovating to give students the skills and academic background they need to become workforce and civic leaders, and we are partnering with local governments, businesses and non-profit institutions to supplement the talent and technical expertise they need to thrive. We are at the table for conversations about how to grow the city and region in a sustainable way.
We continue to make it simpler and easier to access an education at Miami Regionals. Starting this fall, our Tuition Promise program will eliminate two-tier tuition levels and lower the cost of a bachelor’s degree for Ohio residents by $1,952, or nearly 8 percent. In today’s economy, that’s an increasingly rare value for higher education and a strong statement by Miami Regionals of our commitment to a vibrant economy and community leadership.
E-Campus is another investment we are making to increase access to Miami. Last year, more than 3,000 Miami students took online courses and more than 600 students studied exclusively online. We look forward to serving more students online with programs including RN-to-BSN Nursing, bachelor’s degrees in Small Business Management and Health Communication, and associate’s degrees in Applied Business and Pre-K Education.
Career Services is another focus, enhancing the assistance we already provided with more intensive career advising starting in the first weeks of the student’s first semester, more internships and more job shadowing programs. This builds on a traditional strength of Miami University; about 95 percent of last year’s graduates who attended Miami Regionals were employed or furthering their education within six months of graduation.
We will expand academic offerings, with the same emphasis on undergraduate teaching and learning that has distinguished Miami University for generations. This year, we will offer 18 four-year degrees, and we are actively developing other majors in high-need industries such as health care, technology and the sciences. Our Biological Sciences program, pending final approval from the state of Ohio, will provide increased connections with employers to make sure our students have the skills they need.
There is a lot happening at Miami Regionals. We look forward to partnering with you to strengthen Hamilton and Butler County, now and for the future.
Gregory Crawford is the president of Miami University. Cathy Bishop Clark is the dean of Miami University Regionals.