Dear Friends and Partners,

At Miami University, ASPIRE — Advancing State Priorities, Igniting Regional Economies — has a singular purpose: to align university strengths with the leading priorities of Ohio’s government, industries, and communities. This alignment underscores Miami’s role as more than an academic institution — we are a committed partner in Ohio’s progress. Many universities contribute to the public good, but Miami distinguishes itself by embedding this mission in ASPIRE — an office that turns commitment into focused strategy, purposeful partnerships, and measurable results. Through ASPIRE, partners gain a single, coordinated entry point that links university strengths with the state’s priorities and the prosperity of its regions.

Our focus is clear: industry driven and centered on creating the talent Ohio needs. Talent that:

• Adds Value on Day One of Employment: Miami is expanding applied learning and employer engagement so completers enter the workforce prepared from day one. Miami’s Ohio Polytechnic Institute and the Work+ Program model the intersection of meaningful industry experiences and education, serving simultaneously as preparation for future professionals and training pipelines for employers.
• Attracts and Anchors Industries and Individuals to Ohio: Miami is leveraging Ohio’s industrial strengths and ingenuity to meet global demand by cultivating talent in fields like quantum computing and advanced manufacturing. This work helps position Ohio as a destination where world-class companies and individuals choose to invest, innovate, and grow.
• Accelerates Innovation: Miami is positioning Ohio at the forefront of breakthrough industries by elevating innovators who turn discoveries into applications through platforms, such as the Fisher Innovation College@Elm incubator and the Advanced Air Mobility Hub.
• Advances and Elevates Ohio Communities: Miami is advancing and elevating Ohio’s communities, recognizing that strong communities make a strong state. Through efforts like the Ohio Hometown Talent Initiative, Miami forges partnerships that connect businesses, jobs, and civic life in rural, suburban, and urban communities, while also placing emerging professionals in internships that provide valuable hands-on workplace experience and exposure to the vibrancy of Ohio’s communities.

Miami University is leading the way in shaping Ohio’s future, and ASPIRE is the anchor point that makes collaboration seamless — driving economic growth, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunities across the state. Miami and the ASPIRE Team look forward to continuing this journey with you.

Very truly yours,  Randi Malcolm Thomas, Esq. Vice President, ASPIRE