In The News

MIAMI UNIVERSITY REGIONALS BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE

October 1, 2024  |  Miami University Regionals
Miami University Regionals

For more than five decades, Miami University Regionals has supported workforce and economic development in the region by increasing access to higher education, and connecting academic programs with employer needs. 

 

In its annual college report just released, U.S. News & World Report ranked Miami University the No. 3 public school in the category of Undergraduate Teaching nationwide. In the Top Public Schools in Regional Colleges Midwest, Miami Regionals Hamilton and Middletown were ranked No. 5 and No. 6, respectively. 

 

Developing strategic partnerships is at the core of the Regionals efforts, and the work they are doing with Butler Tech in creating the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub is a prime example.

 

With the support of the City of Hamilton and a $15 million investment from the Butler County Board of Commissioners, the Hub will provide students at all levels a variety of distinctive pathways to meet all needs in the manufacturing sector — from associate degrees, industry-recognized credentials and Microcredentials, to degrees in Robotics, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, and more.

 

Scheduled to open in January 2026, the Hub will be at the center of an educational, workforce, and economic development ecosystem. In addition to Butler Tech and Miami University, the Hub will also have business partners with research and development facilities on site. This public-private collaboration will provide students with opportunities for real world experience and provide employers direct access to Butler Tech and Miami faculty, offering a rich resource for workforce development and retention.

 

Partnering with business, Miami Regionals Work+ Program continues to connect employers and students to help employers meet workforce demands, and to help students cover the cost of their college education. Employers benefit from reduced turnover costs, access to a pipeline of talented and motivated Miami students, and tax benefits. To date, more than 170 students have participated, and currently there are 20 employers working with more than 80 students, including the Lakota Family YMCA, Boys and Girls Club of West Chester, and West Chester Township.

 

Helping meet regional needs for training, upskilling, and retaining the workforce, Miami offers 59 Microcredentials in business, computing and technology, engineering, and more. For employers, there is tuition support through Ohio’s Talent Ready program, including funding of $900 toward the $1,000 cost of the ICP ICAgile certification course taking place in late October. Application for the Talent Ready funds is available online.

 

The Small Business Development Center at Miami University Regionals provides a full array of services to existing and start-up businesses through consulting and training. As part of the Ohio SBDC network, their goal is to assist any small business in the fields of manufacturing, technology, government contracting, and minority and women business ownership. 

 

One of its many successful programs is the Latina Entrepreneur Academy, designed for Latina entrepreneurs or those considering taking that next step. This year's class was filled in July, and applications for the 2025 intake are now open online.

 

Miami Regionals has created MORE (Miami Opportunities for Regional Employers) as a one-stop access point for all these programs. Visit the MORE webpage, or send an email to MORE@MiamiOH.edu.