OHIO Board of Trustees discuss strategic priorities, statewide partnerships and campus investments during August meetings

During meetings on Aug. 13, at OHIO's Dublin Integrated Education Center, the Ohio University Board of Trustees received updates on the University's Dynamic Strategy, learned more about OHIO's leadership role in a new statewide initiative to strengthen Ohio's health care workforce and reviewed a range of initiatives and resolutions that are focused on further supporting the University's academic mission and long-term strategic priorities.

The Board also approved a resolution establishing a Health and Medicine Faculty Council as a shared governance body to address the terms and conditions of employment for the non-bargaining unit faculty in the College of Health Sciences & Professions and the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine.

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

OHIO's Dynamic Strategy enters Year Three
The Board received an update on Year Three of Ohio University's Dynamic Strategy, the institution's long-term roadmap for advancing student success, research excellence, community engagement and organizational effectiveness. Building on progress made during the strategy's first two years, University leaders outlined priorities for the coming year and discussed how ongoing initiatives continue to advance the University's strategic goals.

Interim Executive Vice President and Provost John McCarthy, Vice President for Research and Creative Activity Eric Muth, Vice President for University Communications and Marketing Robin Oliver and Vice President for Human Resources Mary Elizabeth Miles shared their Year Three priorities for their respective pillars; Learn, Discover, Engage and Work. The priorities highlight progress across the strategy’s core pillars and outline how Year Three initiatives will strengthen academic excellence, expand research opportunities, support employees and increase the University’s impact across Ohio and beyond.

Health Workforce OHIO to strengthen Ohio's future health care workforce
The Board also received an update on Health Workforce OHIO, a new statewide initiative that brings together Ohio University's health-related academic programs and community partnerships to address critical workforce needs across the state, especially in Ohio’s 73 rural counties. As demand for health care professionals continues to grow, the initiative focuses on expanding educational pathways, strengthening clinical partnerships and preparing graduates to serve communities throughout Ohio, particularly in rural and underserved areas.

Executive Director of the Ohio University Health Collaborative Rick Hodges, Health Workforce OHIO Coordinator and OHIO student Savannah Flesher and Ohio Association of Community Health Centers Chief Operating Officer Teresa Rios-Bishop discussed the University's collaborative approach to building the health care workforce across disciplines. The initiative will engage students early in their careers, strengthen recruitment and retention in rural communities and provide continuing education and upskilling opportunities across a broad range of health care professions. To date, more than 80 health care organizations and partners from across Ohio have signed on in support of the initiative, representing health systems, provider groups, universities, career centers, public health agencies and advocacy organizations.

Capital Projects
The Board reviewed Ohio University's proposed Fiscal Year 2027 Capital Improvement Plan, which outlines strategic investments to maintain and enhance facilities that support the University's academic mission, research enterprise and student experience. The plan reflects the University's ongoing commitment to responsibly managing campus infrastructure while prioritizing projects that advance long-term institutional goals and address evolving campus needs.

The Board approved additional funding for the College of Fine Arts Facilities Renewal project and for the West Green Chilled Water Plant Chiller, Cooling Towers and Distribution Pumps Replacement. The Board also approved the following new capital projects:

• Front Four renovations
• Peden Stadium sealant replacement and repainting
• RTV roof replacement
• Copeland Hall window replacement
• Grover Center outdoor substation replacement
• Campus roadway improvements
• OHIO Chillicothe Bennett Hall roof replacement
• OHIO Lancaster Brasee Hall chiller replacement
• OHIO Southern elevators upgrade
• OHIO Chillicothe building envelope and structural improvements
• OHIO Lancaster Fetters Run pedestrian Bridge
• OHIO Southern Academic Center, Collins and Connector roof replacement

In other business, the Board also approved:

• The closure of the Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Sport Services in the Recreation, Sport Pedagogy, and Consumer Sciences Department in the Patton College of Education at the request of the Recreation, Sport Pedagogy, and Consumer Sciences Department.
• Requested program modifications to the Mathematics Education program in the Patton College of Education and the Experimental Study of Language Certificates program in the College of Health Sciences and Professions. 
• The program review of the Department of Classics and Religious Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.
• The appointment of Matthew Cornish, professor of theater history, to be named the James Richard Hamilton/Baker & Hostetler Professor of the Charles J. Ping Institute for Teaching of the Humanities.
• That the tower at Peden Stadium to be named the William “Bill” Hess Tower after OHIO’s previous head football coach (1958 to 1977) who remains one of the most successful coaches in the history of the program.
• The use of annual Century Bond allocations to fund its operating investment in deferred and preventive maintenance projects.
• The FY27 Annual Capital Improvement Plan.
• Approximately 22-acres located across from and adjacent to 101 University Drive, Chillicothe, Ohio, to be designated as surplus property.
• Approximately 74-acres located behind 1570 Granville Pike, Lancaster, Ohio, to be designated as surplus property.
• The property commonly known as the Trisolini House, located at 48 E. Union Street, Athens, Ohio, to be designated as surplus property.
• The property commonly known as the Kantner Hall, located at 19 S. College Street, Athens, Ohio, to be designated as surplus property.
• Approximately 54-acres on the Dublin campus in Dublin, Ohio, to be designated as surplus property.
• The granting of a lease to OnSite Partners for the purpose of installing and operating the Battery Energy Storage System equipment in the Coal Storage Building at 97 Factory Street, Athens, Ohio.