Miami University's board of trustees approves two new degrees in nursing

The board of trustees approved plans to move forward with an addition to the stables located at Miami for the equestrian program. (Architectural rendering.)

Two new degree programs in nursing at Miami University were approved by the board of trustees at its regular business meeting held Monday, Nov. 30.

A Masters of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice will add 50 new courses within the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science at the regional campuses. The master’s program includes three areas of study concentrations: nurse practitioner, nurse leadership and nurse educator. The doctor of nursing will provide coursework to prepare nurses for advanced leadership and patient care.

These are two of the newest emerging and in-demand degrees that Miami is launching to meet changing workforce needs. This year the university rolled out plans for 14 new undergraduate degrees, 12 graduate offerings, and 20 certificates and micro-credentials.

Miami trustees met virtually because of the pandemic. Authorization also was given by the board to proceed with the construction of an addition to the existing stables and building that support Miami’s equestrian program with a total project budget not to exceed $4.22 million. Funding for this project is from student participation fees and a gift given to the university by an anonymous donor. 

President Gregory Crawford commented on the resolve and resilience of faculty, staff and students through this year of the pandemic. He commended the Safe Return to Campus Planning and Coordinating Committee highlighting, in particular, the testing and contact tracing teams. Their efforts in developing a five-tier strategy that included wide-net and surveillance testing, A Remain-in-Room Color coding system, as well as quarantine and isolation protocols were instrumental in reducing the spread of COVID-19. 

He also recognized the efforts of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force whose members worked tirelessly through the summer to craft 44 recommendations for DEI initiatives.  Implementation work has begun.  

Crawford also pointed out numerous national awards Miami received in 2020 further advancing its educational mission despite the pandemic. Miami received the Higher Education in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The Altman Institute in Miami’s Farmer School of Business received a 2020 NASDAQ Center of Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. Princeton Review and Entrepreneurial magazine ranked Miami among institutions in the top 10 for entrepreneurial education. Miami’s Naval ROTC was honored by the Department of Defense and the Work+ Program was the inspiration behind Ohio House Bill 614.

Speaking to the future, Crawford addressed the university’s “renaissance” and how Miamians will flourish post-COVID. Along with the emerging and in-demand degrees, Miami is creating opportunities to collaborate with businesses and organizations to transcend higher education. Miami introduced the department of emerging technology business and design, the department of entrepreneurship and the Center for Social Impact and Innovation.
In other action, the board of trustees also:

• Approved the conferring of all appropriate degrees, honors and distinctions as recommended by the Faculty.

• Assembly for all Commencement exercises scheduled during the 2020-2021 academic year and summer 2021.
• Approved revisions to the Code of Regulations of the Miami University Foundation.
• Approved the Annual Report of Remedial Education at Miami University to be submitted to the Ohio Department of Education.
• Authorized the submission of the FY 2020 efficiency report and related recommendations to the Chancellor of Higher Education.
• Approved the naming of the T. Michael Smithson Admissions Lobby located in the Harry T. Wilks Conference Center on the Hamilton Campus.
• Approved the renaming of the Nellie Craig Hall (formerly the Campus Avenue Building) as the Nellie Craig Walker Hall in recognition of the first African-American student to graduate from Miami, respecting the wishes of her family to include her full name.
• Approved the following individuals for the rank of Vice President Emeritus: 
  - Ronald Scott, vice president for Institutional Diversity and Inclusion and faculty member in the department of media journalism and film.
• Approved the following individuals for the rank of Emeritus: 
  - Michael Dantley, dean of the College of Education, Health and Society.
  - William Even, professor of economics.
  - Michel Pactat, senior instructor of French, Italian, and Classical Studies.
• Approved the following for the rank of Administrator Emerita:
  - Susan Hershberger, Chemistry and Biochemistry.
• Passed resolutions of appreciation to the following individuals for their service to Miami:
  - Dean Michael Dantley, College of Education, Health and Society.
  - Vice President Ronald Scott, Institutional Diversity and Inclusion.
  - Trustee Robert E. Coletti.
  - Trustee C. Michael Armstrong.
  - Trustee Diane Perlmutter.