UC continuing education student scores in top three on Ohio exam

In June, Mary Glossop earned her professional certificate through the University of Cincinnati's Office of Professional and Continuing Education as a Microsoft Office Specialist and performed so well on the test that she placed in the top three test scores for the state of Ohio.

Janet Staderman, academic director for the UC office, received the letter from the Microsoft Office Support Championship Team informing her of Glossop's accomplishment and personally delivered the certificate to Glossop last week.

Supported by a grant, the Microsoft support training course offered through UC's Office of Professional and Continuing Education is just one part of the strategic agreement UC has with Microsoft to develop tech talent in the region. The focus on increasing tech-based skills includes both non-traditional and traditional students, such as Glossop.

These programs were partially funded through a grant from Ohio's Individual Microcredential Assistance Program. Administered through the Office of Professional and Continuing Education, 658 applicants applied. The program enrolled 388 students in eight programs — a big way that UC is helping to get Ohioans who are unemployed, under-employed, or low-income, trained and ready to go back to work.

The Microsoft Excel course is offered through UC via open enrollment and is eligible for the next  Ohio Tech Cred reimbursement given to qualified employers whose employees take the course.

Beyond earning her credentials, Glossop is making use of the career development services offered by the Experienced Based Learning & Career Education’s NEXT Apprenticeship Program. The program, unique to UC, offers one-on-one career counseling and support.

“I want to take a moment to thank UC for providing this opportunity to students. Joining the NEXT Apprenticeship program has allowed me to improve professionally and academically, and I look forward to seeing where the next two years go!” Glossop said.