OHIO Board of Trustees receives update on University’s Dynamic Strategy progress, planned areas of FY27 focus during June meetings

During meetings on June 11 and 12, the Ohio University Board of Trustees was presented with an impact report for year two of the Dynamic Strategy plan and learned about the FY27 focus areas for year three and beyond. They also received an update about OHIO’s R1 status and the University’s strategy to cement itself as a perennial R1 institution.

Treasurer and CFO of The Ohio University Foundation Candice Casto updated the Board on the University’s Scholarship Match Program, which has helped grow scholarship support to more than $83 million since its launch in 2013. The program provides a 50-cent University match for every dollar donated toward eligible undergraduate and graduate scholarship endowments, allowing donors to direct support to specific campuses, colleges, departments or the University as a whole. She also noted that the program distributes more funding than it draws from the general fund and requested an extension of the initiative. The Board approved continuing the program through June 30, 2031, with a new annual matching cap of $2 million.

The Board also received an update from Vice President for University Advancement Greg Simmons, reporting that OHIO has secured $41.5 million in gifts and grants this fiscal year and highlighted how the University’s endowment exceeded $1 billion for the first time as of April 30.

In addition, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs Sarah Poggione provided an update on the planned timeline, scope of work and collaborative process the University will undertake to ensure compliance with HB96 in advance of the state's March 31, 2027, deadline.

The Board also honored longtime trustee, OHIO alumnus and former OHIO baseball player Cary Cooper for his decades of service, leadership, philanthropy and advocacy on behalf of Ohio University, recognizing his tenure as a trustee since 2013 and his enduring commitment to supporting students and the University. 

Additional highlights from the Board of Trustees’ June meetings include:

President’s Report
President Lori Stewart Gonzalez shared updates on leadership transitions across the University, including the appointment of John McCarthy as interim provost and Dr. Janet Simon as interim dean of the College of Health Sciences and Professions. She also noted that Dr. Maj Mirmirani will return to OHIO as dean of the Russ College of Engineering and Technology. Gonzalez highlighted the success of spring commencement celebrations across Ohio University’s campuses, including ceremonies on regional campuses, the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s 50th graduating class, as well as undergraduate and graduate commencement weekend on the Athens campus where OHIO alumnus Larry Connor returned as this year’s speaker. 

Gonzalez also highlighted the continued success of Bobcat Student Orientation, noting how palpable the excitement is from incoming students and families as they begin their OHIO experience. She celebrated the University’s record-breaking Giving Day, which raised more than $1.1 million in 24 hours across more than 200 funds, demonstrating the generosity of the Bobcat community. Additional highlights included the Heritage College’s 50th anniversary celebration, the Appalachian Ohio State of the Region event that brought together regional leaders to discuss opportunities and challenges facing the region, recognition of Stephanie McCloud at the State Government Luncheon and progress on the 80,000-square-foot Heritage Translational Research Center, which will support OHIO’s research and future growth as an R1 institution and will open this fall.

Dynamic Strategy Year Two Impact Report and Year Three Plan
Vice President for University Communications and Marketing Robin Oliver provided an update on the second year of Ohio University’s Dynamic Strategy, highlighting progress across the plan’s four pillars—Learn, Discover, Engage and Work—and outlining priorities for year three. Oliver noted that planning is also underway for years four through six, with a focus on building upon accomplishments from the strategy’s first three years, engaging the University community in the process and establishing clear, measurable outcomes.

Under the Learn pillar, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost John McCarthy highlighted efforts to strengthen student success and career readiness through an experiential learning inventory, Student Experience Awards that provided nearly $200,000 to 275 students, retention initiatives and curriculum alignment with workforce needs. 

For the Discover pillar, Executive Vice President for Research and Creative Activity Eric Muth discussed progress on the faculty hiring initiative, OHIO Aviation Vision 2035, the Carbon Innovation Hub and efforts to strengthen the University’s innovation and partnerships.

Within the Engage pillar, Oliver highlighted the launch of the Center for Community Impact, recognition as a Carnegie Community Engaged Institution, alumni mentorship initiatives, including Alumni Mentor Match Day, work with Advancement to expand scholarship fundraising and the development of new non-degree educational opportunities in partnership with industries around the region. 

For the Work pillar, Vice President for Human Resources Mary Elizabeth Miles shared updates on initiatives stemming from the PAWS workplace survey, to expanded employee recognition programs, professional development opportunities, enhanced well-being resources and the launch of a total compensation estimator.

R1 Status Update
Muth provided the Board with an update on Ohio University’s R1 research classification and insight into the institution’s long-term planning to cement this national status. Muth reviewed the Carnegie classification process, noting that research expenditures and doctoral degree production are key metrics used to evaluate research universities. He also explained how extensive support is required throughout the lifecycle of a research award, from proposal development and compliance review to post-award management and reporting.

Muth also highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the University’s research infrastructure by providing greater support for faculty researchers, expanding research development services and helping investigators successfully secure and manage external funding. He noted that Ohio University is among a small group of R1 institutions that focus on mission and maintain a strong balance between research, teaching and community engagement. 

Looking ahead, Muth said the University’s goals include significant growth in the University's external research funding, remaining among the nation’s top 200 research institutions and continuing to graduate more than 100 research-based doctoral students each year to establish Ohio University as a perennial R1 institution.

Enrollment Update
Vice President for Enrollment Management Candace J. Boeninger provided the Board with an update on fall 2026 enrollment, noting continued strong interest in Ohio University despite demographic and policy shifts affecting higher education nationwide. Boeninger said incoming class numbers are positively trending in advance of this fall. She also highlighted gains in retention and a significant increase in degree conferrals, with nearly 4,000 undergraduate degrees awarded this year, about 26 percent higher compared to last year, underscoring the University’s focus on student success and career outcomes.

Boeninger said the University is currently projecting overall fall enrollment to remain around 30,000 students. She also shared with the Board upcoming federal financial aid and loan policy changes that will take effect July 1. While these changes are not expected to dramatically affect fall 2026 enrollment, Boeninger said that the University will continue monitoring their potential impact, particularly for graduate and professional students who may have traditionally relied on larger federal loan amounts to complete their degrees.

FY26 Forecast and FY27 All Funds Operating Budget
Vice President for Finance & Administration, CFO and Treasurer David B. Moore presented an overview of the FY26 financial forecast. Moore provided summaries of the University’s anticipated revenue and expenses for FY27. The presentation also highlighted how OHIO has balanced revenues and expenses in the proposed FY27 budget by methodically using reserves, continuing to focus on developing and implementing strategies and achieving a sustainable multi-year budget approach.

Capital Projects
The Board approved several new capital projects, including:

• Heritage Translational Research Center - The Board approved a resolution to amend the budget of the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Heritage Translation Research Center to provide additional research capacity and support planned growth. This $2.8 million budget amendment would be funded through a combination of internal debt and donor funding.
• Marching 110 Practice Field - The Board approved a resolution to amend the budget of the Ohio University Marching 110 Practice Field to provide an upgraded practice field performance surface. This $125,000 budget amendment would be funded with additional donor funding.

In other business, the Board also approved:

• Four new certificates, including:
  • Chinese Studies Certificate in the Undergraduate Department of Linguistics in the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Psychology in the Graduate Department of Psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences.
  • Sports Photography for Communication in the Undergraduate School of Visual Communication in the Scripps College of Communication.
  • U.S. History in the Graduate Department of History in the College of Arts and Sciences
• To extend President Lori Stewart Gonzalez’s contract until 2029.
• David B. Moore as Treasurer of the Board of Trustees for the year beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.
• Shelly M. Bean as Secretary to the Board of Trustees for a term beginning July 1, 2026, and ending June 30, 2027.
• A 3 percent increase in the Athens undergraduate tuition guarantee rates and a 5 percent increase in the non-resident fee.
• A 3 percent increase in the Regional undergraduate tuition guarantee rates and a 5 percent increase in the non-resident fee.
• A 3.2 percent increase in the guaranteed room rates and a 3.2 percent increase in the guaranteed board rates.
• A 2 percent increase to the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s instructional and medical learning resource fees and an 11 percent increase in its non-resident fee.
• A 3 percent increase in instructional fees for Graduate Athens Campus tuition.
• A 3 percent increase in instructional fees for Graduate OHIO Online (eCampus) tuition.
• A 3 percent increase in instructional fees for Regional Campus and Cleveland/Dublin location tuition.
• To adjust the current reduced instructional fee waiver from $331 to $346 per credit hour for undergraduate OHIO Online (eCampus) courses.
• The submission of the University’s 2026-2028 Strategic Completion Plan to the Chancellor.
• The designation of Hybrid Entity under HIPAA. 
• The FY26-27 all funds operating budget.
• Thirty-one Faculty Fellowship leaves. 
• Eighteen emeriti statuses.
• The appointments of five new members to the Regional Coordinating Council for each regional campus.
• The state-guided inactivation and program closure for 16 programs once the proposed teach-out plans are completed.
• Thirty-six new courses, sixty-eight course modifications and three hundred and fifty-one course deactivations for listed courses in which either a newer version is available or for courses that have not been taught in more than three years.