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The Future of Public Higher Education in Ohio

Public higher education institutions across the country are experiencing decreased budgets. Compared to levels prior to the recession, state support for public two and four year colleges has dropped by nearly  $10 billionIn Ohio, state funding for higher education in 2017 is a half-billion lower than pre-recession levels. Sixty-four percent of Ohio graduates leave school with debt and institutions are being asked to tell students  how much they can expect to earn with a degree in an attempt to manage the increasing burden of debt that graduates now face.

The context appears to be shifting. The  2016-2017 budget had a 7.6 percent boost of $274 million in state share of instruction, as well as almost a 13 percent increase in need based aid. Public Northeast Ohio colleges are showing  strong enrollment numbers of increasingly academically prepared students, despite fewer high school graduates and increased competition among colleges. Partnerships with the private sector, such as  The Ohio State University’s collaboration with Apple are innovating educational opportunities and partnerships within public education, like  Ohio University and The University of Toledo, are creating stronger research institutions. 

As public higher education is increasingly looked at as a pipeline for economic growth and opportunity, affordability and access remain important factors in student enrollment. Cleveland State University recently raised $ 114 million, exceeding its goal for student support. Cuyahoga Community College is  investing in their manufacturing facilities to fuel the dominant manufacturing industry and The University of Akron is reducing their out of state tuition price and expanding the Akron Guarantee Scholarship. Is this enough? What more can be done? Hear from three influential college and university Presidents on the challenges they face and the strides that have been made in improving Ohio's public higher education.

 

Panelists include:

Ronald M. Berkman, Ph.D., President, Cleveland State University

Alex Johnson, Ph.D., President, Cuyahoga Community College                

Matthew Wilson, J.D., President and Professor of Law, The University of Akron

This conversation is moderated by WKYC President and General Manager  Micki Byrnes.

Jean-Marie Papoi is a digital producer for the arts & culture team at Ideastream Public Media.