Miami announces new polytechnic campus

Miami University students could have an updated option for where to take classes in the near future: a polytechnic campus.

Since fall 2023, Miami administrators, faculty and staff have gone through a strategic planning process known as MiamiTHRIVE, led by consulting firm Bain and Company. At his April 2 spring update, President Gregory Crawford presented the first official slate of initiatives to be implemented from the process. At the top of the list was creating the “Miami University Polytechnic Campus,” which will build on partnerships with Butler Tech and “provide access for every student on each campus to pursue an applied education,” according to a press release.

The announcement comes as work continues on an advanced manufacturing hub near Miami’s Hamilton campus. The hub, a partnership with Butler Tech, has been funded in part by $15 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding allocated to the project by the Butler County Board of Commissioners.

Ande Durojaiye, vice president of Regionals and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science (CLAAS), was appointed this year to serve as the university’s inaugural vice president for strategy and partnerships. In that role, he’s overseeing implementation of MiamiTHRIVE initiatives and will transition out of his regional and dean roles this summer.

The polytechnic campus, he said, is a response to changing demands in higher education. Nine in 10 regional students go on to work in the local workforce, he said, and local industries are calling for more technically skilled graduates.

“When we look at a local level, a regional level, a state level, one of the most pressing issues that we are faced with is how we strengthen that talent pipeline,” Durojaiye said. “... The polytechnic campus is essentially us leaning into what we do so well. It’s leaning into really preparing students to meet local workforce needs.”

The university doesn’t have a firm timeline for implementing the campus, but as conversations move forward, Durojaiye said they will likely rebrand parts of the regional campuses to make it a reality. The implementation process will involve conversations with business and community leaders as well as students and faculty, he said.

Miami’s regional campuses have multiple programs aimed at getting students practical experience early on. The Early College Academy allows high school students to concurrently earn associates degrees in their last two years of high school.

“The students have done phenomenal … and they’re ready to go on either into their career or continue on in college,” Durojaiye said. “We’re using that model as part of the work we’re going to do with the hub, as well.”

While the polytechnic campus will put a strong emphasis on technology and career readiness, Durojaiye said liberal arts programs and classes will remain an important part of the regional campus experience. The regional campuses currently offer 27 majors including many with technological focuses, as well as communication studies, community arts and cultures, English studies and more.

“Our liberal education core is core to who we are as a university,” Durojaiye said. “Even when we think about polytechnic ideas and career-focused ideas, we want the individuals who are going out to these careers, going out to these industries, to be grounded in that liberal education.”

Other MiamiTHRIVE initiatives announced during Crawford’s address included the controversial arena district currently planned for Cook Field, reimagining quads as neighborhoods, collaboration on disruption technology like AI and a new experiential learning certificate program. A full list is available at www.miamioh.edu/news.