‘Part of something meaningful’: Urban Cohort program honored for its positive impact in Cincinnati
Miami program one of four to receive 2026 Spencer Award from Cincinnatus Association
‘Part of something meaningful’: Urban Cohort program honored for its positive impact in Cincinnati
Miami program one of four to receive 2026 Spencer Award from Cincinnatus Association
For nearly two decades, Miami University’s Urban Cohort program has worked to make a positive impact in Cincinnati and surrounding areas.
That work continues – and interest in the program and its community-based approach to education continues to grow. In the past year, Urban Cohort saw a record number of applicants, more than 55.
Each year, up to 30 Miami students explore the challenges of urban communities, while at the same time learning from the lived experiences of their residents. Recently, the program was honored during the Cincinnatus Association’s annual Donald and Marian Spencer “Spirit of America” Awards for “sustained, community-centered impact advancing equity, justice, and human rights in Greater Cincinnati.”
Tammy Schwartz, director of the Urban Cohort, praised the mentors, community members, and partner schools and organizations that make the program such a special experience for its participants.
“It’s not easy work. For the folks who do this day in and day out, it’s great that they are recognized for the contributions we are trying to make through this program at Miami University to create more loving and just communities,” Schwartz said.
Part of Miami’s role as a public institution is working alongside partners to make change for the public good, Schwartz said. That doesn’t happen without strong collaboration.
“It’s us working alongside others who have been laboring for a long time in this effort to help prepare our students to go into communities with empathy and understanding,” Schwartz said. “There are so many things our students are learning by engaging with our community partners that they wouldn’t necessarily get from a book or by being on campus.”
The Urban Cohort, housed in Miami’s College of Education, Health, and Society, was one of four honorees for the 11th edition of the Spencer Awards, along with Cincinnati Metro, the Community Learning Center Institute, and MORTAR Cincinnati.
Miami’s program was praised for the way it has “strengthened neighborhood organizations, empowered youth voices, and shaped generations of graduates committed to social responsibility and inclusive civic leadership.”
“We were deeply honored, especially given the legacy of Donald and Marian Spencer and their work in Cincinnati,” Schwartz said. “Of all the awards we could receive, this was a very meaningful one.”
Mary Delaney, executive director of Community Matters, noted the uniqueness of the lengthy relationship between her nonprofit organization and Miami in the Urban Cohort’s acceptance video.
“We’ve been partnering with Miami for over 10 years now. A lot of university partnerships, sometimes those are really short lived or transactional. With the Urban Cohort, it’s relationship-building over the long term,” Delaney said in the video.
During the ceremony, Schwartz asked those in the room, estimated to be a crowd of around 350, to stand up if they were connected with Urban Cohort.
Approximately 50 people stood, including current students, faculty, staff, community-based organization leaders, and community mentors, as well as a student alum of the program, who just happened to be attending the event. To Schwartz, that helped punctuate the Urban Cohort’s mission, which is central to the program’s continued success.
“I think students want change,” Schwartz said. “They want to be a part of something meaningful, and they want to be connected.”