AU awarded $840,000 in grants through Choose Ohio First program

ASHLAND, Ohio – The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) recently awarded Ashland University a grant of $840,000 through the Choose Ohio First (COF) program. COF is an initiative to develop and strengthen the state’s workforce in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“Ashland University has played a vital role in preparing STEM students for successful careers in Ohio, and I am pleased to have Ashland University among this latest group of Choose Ohio First awardees,” stated Randy Gardner, chancellor of the ODHE.

This funding round will go to scholarships for students in AU’s College of Business and Economics (COBE) over the next five years. Specific academic programs to be impacted include management information systems, business analytics, industrial and systems engineering and supply chain management.

“We are thrilled that several of our programs in COBE will receive this funding from Choose Ohio First. This will make attending college possible for many of our students and supports their passion for the STEM disciplines,” said Dan Fox, dean of COBE and an associate professor. “Most of our graduates stay in Ohio and contribute to the state’s economy, and we’re appreciative of the government’s continued support for our students.”

Nik Lopatin, assistant professor of finance, is serving as the project lead. He can be reached at nlopatin@ashland.edu or 419-289-5234 for more information.

This marks the fifth round of grants for the COF program under the Gov. Mike DeWine-Lt. Gov. Jon Husted administration and creates new scholarship opportunities at 45 colleges and universities across Ohio. The $840,000 for Ashland raises its total allocation through COF to about $2.7 million, with previous COF funding benefitting students in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.