Miami to create polytechnic in Hamilton

Miami University will launch a polytechnic on its Hamilton campus in 2027, betting a more hands-on, workforce-focused education model will better prepare students for careers in advanced manufacturing, information technology and other high-demand fields.

Trustees approved the plan on June 26, according to a university news release. The new polytechnic is intended to give students more pathways to degrees and credentials while emphasizing hands-on learning, industry collaboration, partnership-driven education and programs aligned with Ohio’s workforce priorities.

President Gregory Crawford referred to Miami University Polytechnic “a different education model.”

“It provides an exciting opportunity to deliver hands-on training and industry-driven, technical education that leads to strong career outcomes aligned with workforce priorities across the region and throughout the state of Ohio,” said Crawford, who came to Miami in July 2016.

Technical education will be a larger focus, particularly in advanced manufacturing and information technology. But Melissa Thomasson, interim vice president of Miami Regionals and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science, said Hamilton will continue offering a broad range of classes for students whose interests extend beyond technical fields.

“We are looking to embed applied learning and industry-informed practices and knowledge throughout the curriculum,” Thomasson said. “We know that the number one concern of students is career outcomes. Programs like Work+ give students the opportunity to work closely with an industry partner. Expanding these types of programs and creating more opportunities for work-based learning experiences will be a key feature of Miami University Polytechnic.”

Continued emphasis on manufacturing

That emphasis on applied learning is already taking shape at the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub, or AM Hub, which opened earlier this year on the Hamilton campus. The 375,000-square-foot facility provides space for joint programming between Butler Tech, Miami University and OhioMeansJobs Butler County while serving as a foundation for workforce readiness and advanced manufacturing, with learners co-located in the same space.

Randi Thomas, VP for Miami’s Office of ASPIRE, said working closely with employers will be a key part of the approach. The office is the university’s central point for building partnerships with businesses, government agencies and the community.

“We’re focused on working closely with employers as needs shift in terms of what credentials, what skills, and what disciplines we need to offer students to help them on their career paths,” Thomas said.

Miami plans to start recruiting for its first polytechnic cohort, which will begin in fall 2027. The launch will include three programs but details aren’t yet available. Thomasson said she plans to continue working with K-12 partners, community college partners and industry partners as the polytechnic develops.

“By collaborating closely with educational institutions and industry, we can produce talented graduates who can fill needed jobs and drive our economy. We can do more for our communities and our students,” Thomasson said.

So, what’s next?

Miami University said it remains committed to its planned Polytechnic campus despite changing its state capital funding request this budget cycle.

Alecia Lipton, a university spokesperson, said recent reports about the university’s capital project requests “incorrectly led some readers to assume that Miami is deprioritizing the Polytechnic strategic initiative, which is not the case.”

“Miami University Polytechnic remains among the highest priorities of the university’s MiamiTHRIVE strategic plan,” Lipton said, adding that universities often pursue multiple high-priority capital projects simultaneously on different timelines.

Instead, Lipton said, Miami revised its state capital request to support the previously planned Farmer School of Business Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Industry Engagement Facility, which will provide applied learning spaces focused on industry partnerships, entrepreneurship and real-world business challenges.

The change doesn’t reduce the university’s commitment to its Hamilton campus, Lipton said.

“We’ve just shifted our timeline to allow more time to develop Miami University Polytechnic, hire its leadership, engage with partners and build out the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub,” she said.

Lipton noted that the $31 million Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub is a partnership among Miami University, Butler Tech, OhioMeansJobs Butler County, the city of Hamilton and Butler County that supports advanced manufacturing education, workforce training and industry partnerships.

“We are launching the Miami University Polytechnic and continue to invest in this initiative,” Lipton said.