The College of Education, Health, and Society (EHS) has received a $1.89 million commitment to increase access to EHS. A Miami alumnus, who has requested not to receive publicity at this time, is making an immediate impact with a cash gift to provide scholarship support now, and committing part of their estate for the future. In addition to being the second largest single gift commitment in EHS history, the commitment is the largest given in the college’s current campaign. 

The generous gift will establish the New Horizon Scholarship, intended to be full ride undergraduate scholarships for future science and math teachers in the Department of Teaching, Curriculum, and Educational Inquiry (TCE).

The gift was conceived as a result of the donor’s experience as a high school earth science and middle school pre-algebra teacher.

“I have developed a deep respect for the work of teachers and the impact they have on the lives of their students. I also believe in the high-quality preparation provided by Miami and want to ensure that finances are not an obstacle for high-quality students with need,” the donor stated.

The new scholarship will help to alleviate the burden of college debt for new teachers, and allow them to focus on becoming the best educators they can be.

“We’re proud of the high-quality education that students receive at Miami. We are preparing today’s students to be tomorrow’s teachers. Through new programming such as our innovative Grow-Your-Own TEACh pipeline program in Cincinnati and our grant-funded work to provide current teachers to become TESOL-endorsed educational allies and upskill paraprofessionals working with emergent bilingual students to become special education and foreign language teachers, Miami is leading the way in innovative options to address the state’s teacher shortage,” commented Brian Schultz, Professor and Chair of the Department of TCE. 

Jason Lane, EHS dean, recognizes the impact this new scholarship will make for Ohio’s schools in need of qualified teachers in high-demand subject areas.

“The commitment by this donor is a testament to the importance of teaching in our society and the transformative experience that Miami provides for our students,” said Lane. “Investments such as these are critical for ensuring that we can strengthen the pipeline of new teachers and ensure that every Ohioan has a high-quality teacher in their classroom.”

EHS is celebrating its 120th year of preparing high-quality educators for Ohio and the nation. The College educates more than 1,500 undergraduate and graduate students each year for careers in teaching, special education, school psychology and school leadership, with programs offered in communities across Southwest Ohio and online.  

For more information, visit the EHS website.