UC Presents Research Into Warren County s Higher Education Needs

The University of Cincinnati provides a good education at a reasonable price – that’s the impression revealed in a comprehensive research project examining the attitudes and educational needs of Warren County. The research, conducted by the UC Institute for Policy Research (IPR), was shared with Warren County lawmakers, educators and city officials at a special presentation at the Warren County One Stop Center in Lebanon, a site where UC offers classroom and distance learning. The findings were introduced by Anthony J. Perzigian, UC Senior Vice President and Provost for Baccalaureate and Graduate Education, and IPR Senior Research Associates Eric Rademacher and Mark Carrozza.

The UC/Warren County Educational Needs Assessment was launched last spring and involved a telephone survey and focus group meetings with Warren County residents – among them randomly selected adults, 18 or older, who were planning to attend college, as well as business representatives, guidance counselors and graduating high school seniors. The nationally recognized University of Cincinnati IPR also developed a demographic profile of Warren County using census, regional and academic data.

The UC IPR’s primary analysis consisted of a telephone survey and focus groups. Feedback from the phone survey suggested that Warren County residents gave UC high marks for offering a good education at a good price. Other survey results found that:

• Warren County residents believe UC is a “local” university
• UC offers a variety of strong academic programs
• Residents are more interested in a UC degree program that would allow them to take all courses in Warren County, as opposed to a program where they would take some courses in Warren County and then take some other courses on UC’s West Campus.

Secondary analysis, examining census, regional and academic information about the population, found that:

• Warren County is a rapidly growing, economically strong county, and that growth is expected to continue over the next three decades.
• Warren County residents, particularly people who had recently moved to the county, are well-educated – ranking sixth in the state in terms of bachelor’s and post-graduate degrees.
• Among the newer residents, those holding the highest proportion of bachelor’s degrees had moved into Warren County from Hamilton County.
• As the county continues its rapid population growth, there will be increased demand for education at all levels.

“The results of this survey will assist UC’s strategic planning and efforts to reach new learning markets for its diverse array of undergraduate and graduate programs,” said Anthony J. Perzigian, UC Senior Vice President and Provost for Baccalaureate and Graduate Education.

UC has held an educational presence in Warren County for nearly a decade. At the UC Center, located in Lebanon, students can take on-site and distance learning courses geared toward careers in criminal justice, addictions studies and the paralegal profession. Courses have also been offered in information technology, psychology and other areas.

The College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services has offered a master’s degree program in educational administration in Warren County since 2000 and has provided professional development courses for teachers for more than five years.

An educational partnership involving UC, the Wayne Local School District and the Warren County Educational Service Center was announced in August 2003, and follow-up has occurred to explore the provision of additional higher education to educators in Warren County. This fall, UC launched two freshman-level distance learning courses at Waynesville High School – an introductory psychology course and an American history course. These courses allow academically talented high school seniors to get a jump on earning their college credit, but are also open to other learners. The pilot program offers a three-course series of psychology and history classes in which students can earn three-credit hours in each course.

The university has also expressed interest in partnership activities with the Warren County Community College pilot project.