Oxford News

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Two-hundred days and counting until the Miami University Voice of America Learning Center opens its doors for classes.

The 23,000 square-foot facility will house a variety of programs, including Alumni Career Services, graduate programs and potentially an undergraduate degree completion program.

"As a learning center, it's primary function is instructional delivery," said Director Rod Nimtz. "The vision for the learning center has been consistent since we began working on it in 1995."

During the week, he said there is room for as many as 80 classes and 35 students per hour. Classes will include a master's of business and administration from the Farmer School of Business, graduate programs in education and a bachelor's of integrated studies.

On Fridays, the goal is to clear the schedule for community groups and area businesses to host conferences, learning seminars or customized training, Nimtz said.

Also, housed in the building will be the Alumni Career Services, which will have opportunities for networking, one-on-one meetings with career advisers and access to Miami's Alumni Career Network of volunteers.

"It's very, very exciting," said Patti Alderson of the Community Foundation of West Chester/Liberty. "I think it's just one of the finishing touches on our community that we can have the wonderful education of Miami University right here in our community."

It is a two-way partnership, she said. The location will make it convenient for area residents to further their education close by, rather than driving to Oxford, Middletown or Hamilton.

Daniel Hall, dean of Miami's Hamilton campus, said the programs won't compete. "We're treating all three sites as one regional approach to providing higher education needs for Miami University," he said.

The programs at the VOA campus are aimed at a slightly different demographic, targeting professionals from the Cincinnati and West Chester Twp. area, he said. The regional campuses generally don't offer the same programs

Community professionals and Miami University professors will teach the local and online classes, which Nimtz said will stand out from competing university programs, because "(Miami University) is a well-respected local, regional, national and in many cases international institution."

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.