Photograph courtesy of Miami University
Businesses in Ohio face a critical challenge with the existing workforce. There’s a growing disconnect between what employers need and what higher education provides. In industries like advanced manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and logistics, companies struggle to find graduates who can contribute to the business on day one. So Miami University is responding to this gap by transforming its regional campuses—located in Hamilton, Middletown, and West Chester—into into polytechnic institutions. This model relies on applied hands-on learning to provide students with the technical skills they need to succeed in specific industries.
“The biggest issue we face in Ohio is talent, talent, and talent,” says Ande Durojaiye, vice president for strategy and partnerships at Miami University. “It’s extremely important to provide affordable options to prepare students for the current and future workforce needs of our region, our state, and our country.”
Photograph courtesy of Miami University
The transition to polytechnic institutions at Miami’s regional campuses means tailoring programs to the growing needs of employers. Miami works closely with employers to identify which skills students need and to ensure that students will be able to meet those needs upon graduation.
The goal, Durojaiye says, is for graduates to be ready for work on day one. “Polytechnic is about applied learning, not just classroom learning,” says Durojaiye. “Students are learning while doing and tying it to our strong liberal arts [mission] in critical thinking, writing, oral communication, collaboration, and leadership—we want to tie that to applied learning.”
How It Works
An example of this integration is the manufacturing program. Durojaiye says it is already more than students simply sitting in a classroom hearing lectures about manufacturing. Participants in the program have the opportunity to work on equipment and robots currently used in the field. This type of applied learning can be incorporated into any degree offered under the polytechnic model.
When students complete their polytechnic institution program, they’ll already have the experience from working in the industry. That way, they can see a true return on their investment with more career options and by adding value more quickly when they transition to their full-time role.
Facilities Improvements
Miami’s investment also includes improving its physical spaces. The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub will open in January 2026 with more than 25 business partners involved. This 300,000-square-foot joint facility between Butler Tech and Miami fosters research, programming, and industry partnerships—with 70,000 square feet opening in year one and room to grow to 300,000.
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