Back to School
2024

Inside UC’s strategic growth, co-op’s impact and what’s new on campus

By Cedric Ricks Email Cedric 260-415-8554

13 minute read August 26, 2024

The University of Cincinnati anticipates record enrollment as classes begin Monday, Aug. 26, with a projected 52,000 students — a 2.1% increase over last year.

Growth continues, bolstered by the university’s strategy to attract more online learners, transfer and first-generation students and students on UC’s regional campuses at Blue Ash and Clermont.

“Students are continuing to see UC as the smart choice because of our strong commitment to academic excellence, access and inclusion and affordability,” explains Jack Miner, vice provost of enrollment management. “We are leaning into our partnerships with area high schools to make the pathway to higher education a reality.”

Online students will increase by 11% to 9,300 students, while new transfer student enrollment has increased by 6% to 2,000 students. UC Clermont projects enrollment is up 16% with more than 3,000 students; UC Blue Ash is expected to reach 4,500 students, a 6.5% gain over last year.

Student Orientation Leaders (SOLs) tour downtown (Findlay Market, Sing the Queen City sign at the Banks, Smale Riverfront Park)

Student Orientation Leaders take in the attractions of downtown Cincinnati. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

First-year student enrollment at the university will dip slightly by 1.8% with 8,700 students expected this fall compared to last year’s record of 8,869 first-year students.

“UC’s focus overall this year has been to be a destination for students who want to complete their degree, especially those working adults who are going back to school after some years away,” says Miner. “For example, our average age for new transfer students is 27 years old, and 30 years old for those starting online.”

UC is seeing major growth in its College Credit Plus program, established to enhance high school students’ college readiness by enabling them to take college-level courses before graduating high school. The move is designed to reduce tuition costs and to make college more affordable, allowing students to use those credits at UC or another institution of higher learning if they choose.

Enrollment in the College Credit Plus program has jumped to over 3,000 students, compared to 2,300 students last fall.

“We certainly want those students to become full-time Bearcats after high school graduation, but we are excited to see these young leaders obtain a higher ed degree regardless of where they go at the end of the day,” says Miner.

Bearcats by the numbers

UC’s student body is a bit older, more diverse and embracing online learning.

“I’m thrilled to welcome UC students to campus for our 205th academic year,” says UC President Neville G. Pinto. “As faculty, staff and administrators, we strive to live up to the promise of ‘Next Lives Here,’ our strategic direction. That means we will ensure the next generation of citizen-leaders on our campus are educated with the knowledge, skills and values that will secure our collective future.”

A snapshot of UC's student body

12.4%

increase in Black students in the incoming class

6.5%

increased enrollment at UC Blue Ash

13.9%

increase in Latinx students in the incoming class

16%

increased enrollment at UC Clermont

11%

increase in first-generation students for the whole student body

27

average age of incoming transfer students

28%

of the total student body consists of students of color

30

age of incoming transfer online students

Holi Celebration, students gather at Sigma Sigma Commons to celebrate the Festival of Colors.

Students celebrating Holi on campus. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Growing enrollment over the years

2024 | 52,000 [projected]

2023 | 50,921

2022 | 47,914

2021 | 46,710

2020 | 46,798

2019 | 46,388

2018 45,949

2017 | 44,783

2016 | 44,338

2015 | 44,251

2014 | 43,691

2013 | 42,656

University of Cincinnati co-ops working at Kinetic Vision.

Co-op student at Kinetic Vision in Cincinnati. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Co-op's $88.8 million impact

As the global founder of cooperative education, UC offers students the opportunity to rotate semesters in the classroom with time spent working in their chosen field. These co-ops and internships are paid, which provides a major economic advantage.

In the 2023-24 academic year, more than 8,300 students at UC earned a collective $88.8 million through paid co-op experiences, according to self-reported data. That averages to nearly $10,700 per student per semester.

“The cost of higher education is significant,” says Annie Straka, associate dean in UC’s College of Cooperative Education and Professional Studies. “The UC co-op model centers around connecting students with meaningful experiences that allow them to earn while they are in school and offset the cost of their education.”

For students and families, co-op means job security and an increased value of a degree.

“My parents love the idea of co-op because it puts you closer to having a full-time job,” says Andrew Matthews, CEAS student and Turner Construction co-op. “They also love that I am making money and doing it as I learn within the company about construction management.”

Andrew Matthews, a UC senior in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, is working his fourth co-op at Turner Construction.

Andrew Matthews outside the College of Engineering and Applied Science. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

What's new at UC

Faces

UC welcomes four new college deans this fall. Leadership includes:

Lisa Huffman, PhD, College of Education Criminal Justice and Human Services
Peter Jutras, PhD, College-Conservatory of Music
Gregory Postel, MD, College of Medicine
Alicia Ribar, PhD, College of Nursing

Charity Accurso was named dean of the College of Allied Health Sciences in March.

Khalid Davis and Madison Wesley outside Arts & Sciences Hall

Khalid Davis and Madison Wesley | Photo/provided

Fall semester also means new leadership in student government. Meet your student body leaders, Madison Wesley and Khalid Davis.

Student Body President Wesley, a fourth-year medical sciences student, is a passionate spokesperson for all things that boost students' well-being during their time as undergraduates. She joins Vice President Davis, a fourth-year finance/management major, to push for policies they say advocate for students at all UC campuses, connect them to resources and elevate existing campus services.

“Madison and I are in 100% for each and every Bearcat,” says Davis. “Our door is always wide open for any conversations or questions. We are all in, so don’t be afraid to reach out.”

The duo ran a winning campaign this past spring on the slogan ACE: Advocate, Connect and Elevate. Read more about them and their goals for this year.

Spaces and services

After 18 months of renovations, a renovated Siddall Hall opened earlier this month, offering 500 beds on 12 floors of residence space. The 112,000-square-foot building boasts new amenities including a 5,000-square-foot fitness area, lounge space and a common laundry and kitchenette. The renovation follows a two-year upgrade to adjacent Calhoun Hall, which reopened in January 2023.

The newly renovated Siddall Hall is home to around 500 students. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

The new Bearcat Bench located on UC’s MainStreet is quickly becoming a favorite spot for a photo. Read the story behind the spirited memorial.

The gateway to UC is sporting a new look. The old College of Law building near the intersection of Straight Street/Clifton Avenue was demolished over the summer and restoration of the site into green space will continue into the fall.

In June, the University of Cincinnati Cancer Center inaugurated its state-of-the-art Blood Cancer Healing Center, celebrating the beginning of clinical services in the facility, while additional research spaces are scheduled to open throughout 2024 and into 2025. It is the only blood cancer center in the nation where patients can access all their care — inpatient and outpatient, survivorship, integrative medicine, spiritual care, bench-to-bedside research and more — in one accessible building.

Old Chem is getting a makeover. Crews are working on a full renovation of the original 1917 portion of the structure facing the Herman Schneider Quadrangle. The facility will contain 205,000 square feet of future-forward academic and research space supporting the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering. A beam will be made available for students, faculty and staff to sign on the new concrete between Zimmer Roof and the northwest corner of Baldwin Hall, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Aug. 28-29, and the morning of Aug. 30. A topping out ceremony will take place at 1 p.m., Friday, Aug. 30.

Crews are moving right along with construction of UC’s new $134 million Indoor Practice Facility and Performance Center located at the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Corry Boulevard. The building will house an indoor football practice field along with strength and conditioning spaces, daily-use locker rooms, physical therapy, offices and more.

Stay safe + well

Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval joined UC President Neville Pinto on campus to address some important messages about safety, wellness, awareness and overall well-being. Watch now and find resources.

Courses and programs

Stack of friendship bracelets that spell out "Taylor's Version"

Taylor Swift's Eras Tour may start to wind down this fall, but UC classes themed around the pop culture icon have ramped up.

This fall, the College of Arts and Sciences added two new in-person Swift-related courses: an English class, “Topics in Writing Studies,” and a philosophy class, “Philosophy: Taylor’s Version.” Like true Swifties, philosophy faculty made friendship bracelets to welcome students and have their own instagram: @‌ucphilosophytv

For the third semester in a row the College-Conservatory of Music offered two sections of an online class, “Topics in Popular Music: Taylor Swift.” The classes focus on the entirety of Swift’s musical career and how her lyrics apply traditional poetic themes, such as love and heartbreak, to modern society.

New this year from the Carl H. Lindner College of Business is an Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Business graduate certificate, teaching students how to leverage AI platforms for developing solutions to business problems.

Students of all backgrounds and levels of experience can enroll in Intro to Public Art, a groundbreaking course from UC's College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) promising a hands-on exploration into the creation of public art. Students will not only gain insights into the behind-the-scenes work of one of the world’s most exciting light and art festivals, Blink Cincinnati, but also learn the real-life business of mural making from start to finish while engaging with nearby communities and partners.

Student gamers in the UC Esports Innovation Lab

Students can game at UC's Esports lab. Photo/Andrew Higley/UC Marketing + Brand

Regional campuses roll out the welcome mat

UC Blue Ash College and UC Clermont College are both vibrant communities that give students the Bearcat experience in-person or online.

Regional campus enrollment is benefiting as more families are considering this option as college financial aid for some households became tougher to acquire as delays associated with the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form slowed higher ed plans for students nationwide.

“Our regional campuses are a great economical option for students who want to further their education,” says Miner.

Enrollment is up at both campuses this year 6.5% for UC Blue Ash and 16% for UC Clermont.

UC Blue Ash is the most diverse college within the university, with students coming from across the Tri-State as well as more than 40 international countries. It is expanding its career services offerings with over 180 employer partnerships that support a record number of paid internships and co-ops for students. The college is also adding to its curriculum with new degree and certificate programs, as well as micro-credential courses that offer short, focused learning experiences designed to provide in-demand skills.

UC Clermont now boasts students from all 50 states and overseas, thanks to a growing slate of online programs and innovative in-person and hybrid offerings. More than 60% of the regional college’s students are enrolled in 100% online programs. Clermont has been a leader in the online education space with 15 undergraduate degrees and seven certificates offered completely online. The college will launch several new academic programs to add to the more than 60 career- and transfer-oriented offerings already available.

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Additional credits

Featured video at top: Andrew Higley
Photos: Andrew Higley, unless otherwise noted
Digital design: Kerry Overstake
UC Marketing + Communications

Back to School
2024

Inside UC’s strategic growth, co-op’s impact and what’s new on campus