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Complete to Compete Today’s adults face continuous demands on their time every day: working one or more jobs, caring for children and pets, maintaining family vehicles, shopping for groceries, cooking and doing other household chores, and keeping in touch with family and friends. It’s easy to understand, then, why so many adults say they don’t have time to finish a college degree. Indeed, almost 1.5 million Ohioans age 25 or older have some college credit but no degree, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. The reasons cited for this typically include lack of time, access and finances. Thanks to a new Kent State University-Ohio University partnership, which leverages their wide network of campuses, thousands of Ohioans will have more access to a larger selection of degree programs and workforce-development opportunities. Through the “Complete to CompeteSM" collaboration, Kent State and Ohio University have become the first public universities in Ohio to link outreach and regional campuses in an effort to increase educational levels and support Ohio’s ability to compete in the global economy. “This unique collaboration again affirms the historical regional mission of each institution: Kent State in the northeast, Ohio University in the southeast,” says Kent State President Emeritus Carol A. Cartwright, who initiated the program along with Ohio University President Roderick J. McDavis. “The partnership will work closely with civic and community groups in eastern Ohio to assess local program needs.”  “Our research shows that about 450,000 people in 33 counties could take initial advantage of this project,” says McDavis. Together, Ohio and Kent State have 14 campuses — more than half of the state’s total — and serve more than 60,000 students combined. The campuses stretch from Ashtabula County in the northeast to Lawrence County in the south, and include underserved urban, rural and Appalachian areas. By fall of 2009, an estimated 5,000 new students will be enrolled. Under the partnership, the two universities share a total of 12 existing degree programs and will jointly develop other market-driven programs. By fall of 2006, both institutions hope to offer two programs from the other university’s existing degrees. For working adults, who typically are limited to pursuing degree programs at universities within driving distance, this means more choices in their career paths. In addition, more courses will be offered through online, distance learning and other formats, providing better flexibility for students who have time constraints and are not able to drive to campus to attend class. In addition, Kent State and Ohio University are researching the possibility of jointly developing programs and certificates for emerging markets and career fields for which students can earn course credits at either institution. “Degree completion is the key to being competitive in the 21st-century workforce,” says Dr. Patricia A. Book, Kent State’s vice president for regional development, who co-chairs an administrative unit responsible for implementation of the partnership, along with Ohio University’s vice president for university outreach and regional campuses, Dr. Charles Bird. Book adds, “By providing better access to more programs for working adults, we can improve the quality of the state’s workforce and the quality of life in the region.” For more information about this unique partnership, visit the Kent State University-Ohio University "Complete to Compete" Information Sheet. You can also read "Two Universities Forge Historic Outreach Partnership" to learn more. | ||||||||
