Ohio University

Chillicothe Campus & Teays Valley High School  formally sign partnership agreement

Jun 30, 2010
Jack Jeffery

Representatives of Ohio University-Chillicothe and Teays Valley High School formally signed an agreement on June 28 to establish a partnership between the campus and the high school to create the Teays Valley Center. The event was held at Teays Valley High School in Ashville, Ohio.

Since June 21, OU-C has been offering nursing courses and support courses at Teays Valley in space that was recently renovated to accommodate projected growth in the school district. Deaf studies and interpreting classes will be added this fall. The nursing classes are being relocated from Berger Health System, where they are currently being offered.

One distinguishing feature of this arrangement is that it builds upon the existing partnership that OU-C and Berger Health System have formed to serve the region OU-C and Berger Health System, along with Circleville City Schools, have been in a collaborative arrangement since 2003 that allows area residents to earn an associate nursing degree from OU-C while taking classes at Berger Health System and Circleville High School.

The Teays Valley partnership allows for use of space that better accommodates the popular program that currently enrolls approximately 40 students and continues to provide access to Pickaway County residents.

“Any time we can extend the reach of a health-care program such as nursing it has the promise of impacting the region in a very significant way,” OU-C Dean Richard Bebee said. “For one, health care is a growing field with very good job prospects. In these difficult economic times, that is an especially good thing. Further, by helping to ensure that there is an ample supply of qualified, caring health-care professionals, we all make a positive impact on the quality of life for area residents.”

Ohio University Executive Dean of Regional Campuses Dan Evans said, “Partnerships such as this are important to how Ohio University’s regional campuses serve their regions. Like any partnership, there will be benefits for both sides. At Ohio University, we are committed to upholding and improving the quality of life for residents of this wonderful part of the state. This focus is particularly evident on the regional campuses, which are so strongly linked to their local communities and the region they serve.”

Evans noted that many of the university’s regional campuses began offering classes in conjunctions with their local high schools.

Teays Valley High School Assistant Superintendent Kyle Wolfe said, “We are excited about Ohio University-Chillicothe having a presence in this part of Pickaway County. This should be great for area students. We look at partnerships such as this as ways to better prepare our students for continued success after high school.”

Incoming OU-C Dean Donna Burgraff was also on hand for the event, and she mentioned the importance of partnerships in leveraging educational resources to benefit students.

published: June 30, 2010 9:58 AM

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