Muskingum News

Muskingum University will receive $1,164,209 in Choose Ohio First program funding from the Ohio Department of Higher Education. With this award, Muskingum has received more than $3 million in COF grant award funding over the last three years.

“Muskingum University extends our commitment to meeting the healthcare workforce needs of our region. The proposal, titled Broadening Healthcare Workforce Preparation Pathways in Appalachian Ohio, builds on the University’s current COF scholarship programs by putting STEM pathway opportunities within reach of more students and preparing them for careers in high-demand health fields, including nursing and occupational therapy,” said Provost Jennifer Dugan. “As an institution historically committed to educational access and affordability, Muskingum continues to seek ways to pursue our mission in ways that contribute to the thriving future of Ohio.”

ODHE provides funding to Ohio’s colleges and universities to support students in innovative academic programs. Participating universities and colleges award scholarships to students desiring a certificate, associate degree, baccalaureate degree, or graduate degree in eligible STEM and STEM education fields.

“We appreciate the continued support from the Ohio Department of Higher Education’s Choose Ohio First program. This new award recognizes the successes we have had supporting and developing our STEM scholars since our first COF grant in 2008,” said Paul S. Szalay, Ph.D., Chair, Division of Natural, Applied, and Health Sciences. “This year’s award helps us continue serving the educational and career development needs of our COF students as we prepare them to impact the future of healthcare in Ohio.”

Muskingum will utilize its COF funding to support traditional undergraduate students, adult degree completion students, and graduate students in healthcare-related degree programs. For traditional undergraduates, the eligible major includes our Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree.

For students in the Muskingum Adult Program (MAP), nursing degrees will be available to registered nurses looking for career advancement through the RN-to-BSN program and to those looking into enter the nursing profession from another field through the accelerated Bachelor of Science in nursing (ABSN) program. At the graduate level, the eligible degree includes the Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT).

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

According to ODHE, Choose Ohio First funds higher education and business collaborations that will have the most impact on Ohio’s position in world markets such as aerospace, medicine, and information technology. Choose Ohio First is part of a strategic effort to encourage Ohio’s economic strength by ensuring a ready workforce for STEM-related industries.

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.