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Miami’s polytechnic model blends applied learning, technical education, and industry collaboration with deep roots in the liberal arts education, focusing on communication, critical thinking, and the ability to work in teams.

For example, in Miami’s polytechnic education model, an Engineering Technology ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ might use their lab time to test a device that helps reduce energy use at a local library, or a Commerce ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ might create a digital marketing plan for a local gym and help them grow their customer base.

This initiative is still in the early planning phases, but we are looking at making this shift over the next couple of years. An implementation committee and several working groups are engaging both internal and external stakeholders, including Miami faculty and staff, industry partners, and government and community members to develop this education model with an anticipated launch date of fall 2027. 

Higher education is facing some challenges right now, including a diminished perception of the ROI of a college degree and a decrease in the population of high school graduates. With the polytechnic shift, we are getting ahead of these challenges by differentiating ourselves as an innovative, forward-thinking, career-focused educational pathway. By working directly with employers and industry leaders, we will give our graduates better experience and more career opportunities.

The polytechnic model will:

• Prepare ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs to solve current and emerging challenges by combining critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration with early, hands-on experience and career-focused applied learning.
• Address today’s workforce needs.
• Help promote social and economic mobility in southwest Ohio.

Significant change requires significant investment, and funding MiamiTHRIVE initiatives is a top priority for ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ. The polytechnic model will allow Miami to secure a return on that significant investment by:

• Working directly with employers and industry leaders to make data-based determinations about programming to help ensure that these programs are in demand.
• Differentiating ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ in a crowded marketplace.
• Opening up opportunities for a wider range of funding sources, including grants, partnerships, and government dollars.

The degree ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs earn will still say ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ, like Regionals ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs get now.

Our current tuition rate is one of our key differentiators. Though it’s too early to determine exact numbers, we anticipate that this model will allow us to open up doors to future revenue models and sources besides net tuition revenue, minimizing costs to ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs while maximizing their outcomes and career potential.

Our liberal arts foundation is one of our greatest strengths at ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ, and we will continue to help ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs build the essential, durable career readiness competencies that employers value, such as critical thinking, communication, leadership, teamwork and professionalism through this unique liberal arts-grounded polytechnic education model. Throughout this transition we are going to evaluate all of our programs to make sure we have academic offerings that are based on ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ and industry demand and support a sustainable financial model.

Ten committees made up of Miami faculty and staff met to address opportunity areas identified in the MiamiTHRIVE strategic planning process. A committee, which included several Regionals faculty and staff members, researched and proposed the polytechnic model as a way to meet the goals of MiamiTHRIVE. It was approved by ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ leadership, and now we are continuing the initial planning stage of this project.

First, we wanted to bring staff and faculty into the fold to make sure that they have an opportunity to give feedback during the early planning stages. Now, we are expanding these communications with ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs, stakeholders, and the larger community. This process will involve a continuous feedback loop with our campus community. If you have feedback you’d like to share, please email polytechnic@MiamiOH.edu.

The polytechnic campus will be a ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ initiative — not a Hamilton, Middletown, or Oxford one. This initiative is still in the planning stages, but in-person courses could be held at our Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub, on the Hamilton or Middletown campuses, or even at other locations. Our partnerships will start in Butler County but could very well expand to other regions. The Middletown campus’ repositioning efforts will continue, and the details of that effort are still being worked out.

Yes! With this polytechnic model and other MiamiTHRIVE initiatives, we aim to enhance our catalog of degree program alternatives, including certificates, Microcredentials, and professional education, as well as explore our curriculum timelines, modality, and structures.

We are committed to providing a vibrant ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ life for our ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs while prioritizing their success. This is also an opportunity to reimagine what ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ life can be and plan new and innovative ways to incorporate co-curricular experiences in the lives of our ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs.

Though we do not anticipate any reduction in the opportunities available to any of our ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵs due to this shift, it’s imperative that these populations do not experience any unforeseen lapses in their educational pathways. We will continue to offer the excellent ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ support services that we offer now and work closely with appropriate campus partners to ensure their continued success.

We will continue to offer and grow our online offerings as part of this polytechnic model, and we see online learning as an opportunity to pursue untapped audiences that can benefit from this career-focused educational model.

We are going to engage stakeholders across the university to implement this shift, and through collaboration and feedback, work out the details of this effort.

Early
Discovery

• Study top polytechnic models
• Visit peer institutions
• Assess workforce needs

Help shape a talent-first vision from day one.

Summer
Planning

• Form implementation committee
• Begin curriculum overhaul
• Align programs to real world skills

Co-design programs built for your talent pipeline.

Fall
Activiation

• Developing the first polytechnic-aligned courses
• Partner outreach accelerates
• Funding initiatives begin

Secure your seat at the table — and in the story. 

Early
Acceleration

• Innovation Hub opens
• Partner space available
• Internal communications expand

Claim space. Collaborate. Prototype. Hire.

Summer
Development

• Partnerships deepen
• Marketing ramps up
• Model evolves with input

Showcase your leadership in regional change.

Fall 
Launch

• Inaugural class admitted
• Public launch and recognition
• Lasting partner impact

Be a founding force in a future-ready workforce.