A new scholarship for transfer students will be offered fall 2009 to encourage high achieving community college students to choose Miami University for the completion of their studies.
The $3,000 Pathways Scholarship will be available to students enrolled in an Ohio community college who have completed 24 semester or 36 quarter credit hours and have at least a 3.0 GPA.
"Enrollment in community colleges is growing mainly because it is less expensive, and Miami needs to increase its presence" said Kathy Pruckno, associate director of admission and transfer admissions coordinator.
The majority of students transferring to Miami come from other four-year colleges. In 2008, 20 percent of transfer students came from two-year institutions, Pruckno said.
Pruckno added it is important for Miami to increase its reach to community colleges because the students tend to be some of the most diverse and engaged students.
"There is evidence that community college students are some of the most engaged students on campus, and it's a way for Miami to reach its diversity goals," Pruckno said.
Pruckno said the scholarship is not meant to take students away from community colleges.
"We will require students to complete at least two years or 24 credits (before enrolling at Miami)," Pruckno said. "Ideally they will come in with an associate's degree."
Junior Brian Hill transferred from St. Clair Community College in
Dayton. After receiving his associate's degree in computer science, Hill said he decided to return to school to pursue a degree in linguistics.
Hill said he chose Miami for its proximity to Dayton, its reputation and colligate atmosphere.
"After a community college, Miami just offers that full college experience that I missed out on," Hill said.
Hill said he chose to start his academic career at a community college because he received a full scholarship.
After graduation in May 2011, Hill said he plans to teach English as a second language and eventually work as a translator. He said he plans to use his computer science background to possibly translate Web pages.
The Pathways Scholarship would have been an even greater incentive for him to come to Miami, Hill said.
"I would have been ecstatic if it was available when I transferred," Hill said. "It would have put me that much closer to my full-ride goal."
Hill said he took advantage of as many scholarships as he could, including the honors transfer scholarship and a transfer recognition award. Hill is also a member of the Scholar Leader Program.
Funds for the Pathways Scholarship were allocated from other areas of financial aid, and it is just a first step toward recruiting more students like Hill, according to Pruckno.
Pruckno said communication and marketing within community colleges will take some time.
"At least by offering this scholarship we are putting out the message that we want them," Pruckno said.
