In the News
Scholarships Support Students in STEMM Programs
Muskingum University received $1,031,039 in Choose Ohio First (COF) program funding from the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE). With this award, Muskingum has received more than $4 million in COF grant award funding over the last four years.
ODHE provides funding to Ohio’s colleges and universities to strengthen Ohio’s talent pipeline in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM) occupations and related industries. Participating universities and colleges award scholarships to students desiring a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or graduate degree in eligible STEMM and STEMM education fields.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that STEMM jobs will grow by more than 10 percent in the next decade—triple the rate of non-STEMM fields. The University is committed to strengthening the healthcare workforce, improving educational access, and supporting the region’s economic vitality. The COF initiative is set to make a lasting impact on the University, its students, and the broader Appalachian community.
Nearly 50 percent of Muskingum students indicate a STEMM field as their primary area of interest. The University will utilize its COF funding to support its Healthcare Workforce Preparation Pathways and Partnerships in Appalachian Ohio initiative. This program is a pivotal part of the University’s strategic plan, aiming to enhance educational opportunities, foster workforce development, and address critical healthcare shortages in Ohio.
The grant will support scholarships for an estimated 100 students across eight healthcare-related degree programs. These programs include biology, biochemistry, nursing, medical laboratory studies, and the innovative Master of Occupational Therapy program. The initiative spans traditional undergraduate, adult non-traditional, and graduate education, emphasizing accessibility and reducing barriers for students.
Undergraduate students who are interested in learning more about Muskingum’s Choose Ohio First scholarship can visit https://www.muskingum.edu/financial-aid/science-scholarships. Graduate and Muskingum Adult Program students interested in the program can inquire about the Choose Ohio First scholarships with the Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies.
