The agreement is similar to ones reached in the past with other universities, in which students from Cincinnati State or Sinclair Community College could attend Miami University’s regional campuses in Hamilton or Middletown. This was to participate only in specific programs, such as electro-mechanical engineering, said Kathy Pruckno, the senior associate director of admissions at Miami University.
The Columbus State agreement, however, allows students from that school the chance to take a full range of courses at Miami University.
“One of the things that’s important to us is building relationships across Ohio to provide students access to our programs. We’re trying to recruit the best and the brightest,” Pruckno said. “We want to provide students with clear and seamless pathways to enroll in the Oxford campus.”
Karen Muir, associate vice president of academic affairs for Columbus State, called the agreement “mutually beneficial” in that it provides clear pathways for students to transfer to Miami. Students will be able to transfer not just credits, but also courses, so the general education requirements will be fulfilled when they reach Miami University. Other benefits include waivers of application fees.
“This will allow easier transitions and better chances for students to be retained and successful. We want to be the front door for higher education,” Muir said.
The Ohio Board of Regents has been encouraging the building of such relationships to “allow students access to nationally ranked institutions,” said Pruckno.
Neither Miami University nor Columbus State has projections yet of how many students might take advantage of this new partnership, but Pruckno said about 25 Columbus State students have attended Miami University over the past several years.
Columbus State Community College, located in Columbus, has an enrollment of more than 25,000 students. The Career and Technical Programs Division offers two-year degree programs in more than 55 areas of business, health, public service, human service and engineering technologies, according to spokesman David Wayne.
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