Mission
The Newark campus furthers The Ohio State University’s land-grant mission by providing access to higher education, preparing citizen leaders, conducting research and engaging with its communities.
Roadmap of Priorities and Projects
The priorities and projects outlined below reflect a collaborative process designed to gather broad input and focus institutional efforts where they will have the greatest impact. Together, they provide a shared roadmap to guide decision-making, strengthen our legacy, and advance Ohio State Newark’s continued growth and success.
Vision
To be a leader in regional higher education, where students are empowered to achieve their academic and professional goals with the combined support of the faculty, staff and community.
Priorities and projects
1 Enhancing the student experience
- Hiring additional academic advisors to provide more individualized support
- Increasing awareness and engagement of student success services
- Designing and implementing a comprehensive First-Year Experience program
- Expanding internships, co-ops, and applied learning opportunities
- Developing an eSports program and enhancing student activities
- Coordinating with Dining Services to elevate current offerings and recommend improvements to enhance the dining experience
- Increasing student engagement through expanded marketing and promotion initiatives
2 Expanding academic opportunities
- Planning to launch new degree programs
- Expanding undergraduate research participation and increasing experiential learning opportunities
3 Supporting growth, access and affordability
- Increasing philanthropic support for scholarships and student success
- Expanding course-sharing across regional campuses
- Strengthening academic pathways with Central Ohio Technical College
4 Investing in campus facilities and spaces
- Creating new engineering technology labs
- Planning renovation of LeFevre Hall
- Expanding student collaboration spaces in the library
- Constructing a new campus entrance
- Planning for additional on-campus housing
- Developing sustainability and wellness projects
5 Advancing teaching, staff support and innovation
- Conducting a faculty composition analysis to better balance the faculty profile
- Collaborating with human resources to narrow staff wage gaps
- Launching an AI fluency initiative for faculty, staff and students
- Implementing tools and systems to improve efficiency
- Revising the Course Reassignment Policy to support optimal teaching assignments and workload balance
6 Strengthening community connections
- Creating the Licking County Learning Lab, offering every first-year student the opportunity to engage with local partners like the Newark Earthworks, SciDome and Dawes Arboretum
- Celebrating the 55th anniversary of the cost-shared partnership with COTC in 2026 and Ohio State Newark’s 70th anniversary in 2027
- Growing the number of unique donors and alumni engagement to support campus priorities
Engagement Process
Shortly after arriving on campus in August 2024, Matt Smith, PhD, began a broad engagement process to better understand Ohio State Newark and identify the strengths and opportunities that distinguish the campus. Through conversations across the campus and community, he recognized enduring strengths including a strong commitment to student success; the unique and effective partnership with Central Ohio Technical College; and meaningful support from Newark, Licking County and the surrounding region. Rather than creating an entirely new direction, the work focused on building upon these strengths and positioning the campus for continued success.
To help identify the priorities and projects included in this document, input was gathered from a wide range of stakeholders including faculty, staff, administrators, students, alumni, business and educational partners, and community members. A cross-functional team representing multiple areas of campus helped guide the effort. The process was informed by a constituent survey that generated more than 700 responses, an assessment of internal and external trends likely to shape the future of higher education, and direct conversations with students and campus stakeholders.
Thank you:
Katie Blocksidge
Ed Blouch
Brian Boehmer
Shantrice Bradley
David Brillhart
Stephanie Brown
Melissa Buelow
Virginia Cope
John Davenport
Marilyn Ervin
Kristi Frazier
Mandi Garver
Wes Grunden
Terri Hessler
Melissa Jungers
Sanath Kumar
Kim Manno
Jackie Parrill
Andy Roberts
Courtney Sanders
Matt Smith
Feride Tiglay
Jamie White