OHIO, Ivy Tech agree to collaborate on program development

Ohio University and Ivy Tech Community College, the largest public postsecondary institution in Indiana, have signed a memorandum of agreement to collaborate on the development of programs and other opportunities to serve students of both institutions.

The two institutions have developed articulated transfer pathways to allow Ivy Tech students to seamlessly transfer into Ohio University once they finish at Ivy Tech. The new agreement aims to develop a successful new higher education model for collaboration and cooperation that supports regional economic development through workforce development services and encourages more residents to pursue additional higher education.

“We already have a strong relationship with Ivy Tech, and I look forward to the opportunity to strengthen our connections through this agreement,” Ohio University President Hugh Sherman said.

Ivy Tech and Ohio University will work to build a strategic partnership that expands learning opportunities for students to ensure that employees in Indiana and Ohio are well prepared to prosper in a highly competitive global economy.

“This agreement further reinforces our commitment to ensuring that students have access to the higher education opportunities they need to establish meaningful, fulfilling careers,” Ohio University Executive Vice President and Provost Elizabeth Sayrs said. “We look forward to working with Ivy Tech to develop new learning opportunities for students while enhancing the capabilities of both institutions.”

Through the official partnership, Ivy Tech students will now have access to Ohio University’s Strategic Transfer Educational Plan (STEP) program. STEP provides an advantage to current and future students from Ivy Tech who are planning to earn bachelor’s degrees at Ohio University by providing benefits such as early admission, personal transfer advising, and degree planning and financial savings and cost predictability through The OHIO Guarantee+. Learn more about the STEP program here.

“Our partnership with Ohio University provides flexibility for our students to continue achieving their goals through intentional programming and options that fit their needs,” said Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College. “We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to generating more pathways that benefit our students as they progress through their academic careers.”

Ohio University and Ivy Tech signed an articulation agreement in 2018 to allow Ivy Tech students who get their Associate of Science in Nursing degrees to transition into Ohio’s RN-to-BSN program. A similar general education equivalency guide was also created for students who were pursuing academic pathways outside of the nursing program. Those agreements were renewed in 2021, and additional pathway development will be completed this year.