Back to school: UC regional campuses mark half-century of service

Both campuses tout their innovation in the classroom, outreach to surrounding communities and the access they provide to thousands of residents in the region striving for higher education.

Back to school highlights:

• UC Blue Ash saw first-year enrollment jump by 28% while UC Clermont’s overall enrollment increased by 2%
• Blue Ash saw a 33% increase in Black students; 14% in Latinx students, 27% in first-generation students and 32% in graduates from Cincinnati Public Schools
• UC Clermont saw a 38% increase in Black students and a 25% increase in Latinx students

“For 50 years, UC Clermont has launched thousands of lives by staying true to the college’s founding principle — put students first,” explains UC Clermont Dean Jeff Bauer. “This singular mission is at the heart of all we do. We are thrilled to celebrate the college’s success and all those individuals who have played a part in serving our students. At the same time, we are excited for our next chapter, too.” 

UC Clermont is a leader in the development of HyFlex, or hybrid flexible, course format. It allows the ability to choose to attend class in person or online on any given day — combined with the technology to feel like they are in the classroom in real time, from anywhere. The COVID-19 pandemic helped spur this innovation.

Learn more about the use of HyFlex classrooms. 

At UC Blue Ash, the fall 2022 semester begins with newly renovated spaces on campus, an increase in online and hybrid class options and a new program designed to help students who left college early and want to return to finish their degree. A major renovation is underway in Muntz Hall, the college’s flagship building, to provide 30 newly updated classrooms, additional offices for faculty and state-of-the-art studios for the media communications program.

“We have a lot of momentum as we begin the new academic year,” says UC Blue Ash College Dean Robin Lightner, PhD. “We’re excited about the renovations to Muntz Hall that provide bright and contemporary classrooms. We’re continuing to strategically add new academic programs, and we’re offering more online courses than ever before to better meet the needs of our students.”

The Come Back Bearcat program was launched in 2021 to provide dedicated support and scholarships for students who dropped out before earning their degree. More than 30 students have returned to the college through the program and 12 have completed their degree. Many are moving forward with pursuing a more advanced degree.

UC Blue Ash’s dental program continues to thrive as one of the destination programs at the college. It not only prepares students to meet the ongoing demand for dental hygienists throughout the Greater Cincinnati area, the program gives back through its UC Smiles and Community Dental Day programs. UC Smiles has provided free oral health checkups and teeth cleanings for more than 2,500 school children from across the region since 2010. UC Blue Ash’s program is being highlighted as a model for increasing access to dental care for underserved communities in the Closing America’s Smile Gap promotion being conducted nationally, sponsored by the products Crest and Oral-B.

Learn more about UC Blue Ash’s dental hygiene program. 

Read the full Back to School content package.

Featured image at top of UC Clermont/Joseph Fuqua II/UC Marketing + Brand