About the University

In 1986, an act of the Ohio Legislature (put in effect on July 2) created Shawnee State University, from what was formerly a community college. Since then, Shawnee State University has continued to incorporate baccalaureate degree programs with its already successful associate degree programs.

Shawnee State offers more than 80 bachelor’s and associate degree programs in areas such as the fine, digital, and performing arts; English and humanities; mathematical sciences; natural sciences; social sciences; teacher education; business administration; industrial and engineering technologies; video game and digital design; and health sciences. In 2006, Shawnee State inaugurated its first graduate program, a master’s degree in occupational therapy.

Shawnee State University, the university of opportunity, has one of the lowest tuition rates among Ohio’s public universities, and offers an instate tuition rate to eligible students in Kentucky. Enrollment at Ohio’s newest four-year institution is typically nearly 3,900.

Shawnee State University’s federally funded TRIO programs prepare qualified individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds for programs of postsecondary education. The University features five TRIO programs—Upward Bound, Educational Talent Search, Student Support Services, Educational Opportunity Center, and Upward Bound Math Science.

Shawnee State University is also home to the Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education (OACHE), an organization that sponsors projects in 40 partner public school districts and ten member institutions. Its goal is to break down the barriers to access and success in higher education. Twenty-nine Ohio Appalachia counties are in the project area, and OACHE-sponsored projects have been responsible for increasing the college-going rate in the school systems in these counties.

The only public university in Ohio located on the banks of the Ohio River, Shawnee State features a beautifully landscaped campus. Its 36 buildings include the Advanced Technology Center, home of the first Konica-Minolta Mediaglobe 3D planetarium system in the nation. Clark Memorial Library offers multimedia and streaming video resources, access to both traditional hard copy and electronic full-text books and articles, a variety of study-space options, and personal assistance to students and faculty. The 102,000 square foot Vern Riffe Center for the Arts features an acoustically superior 1,139 seat Main Theater and is home to both cultural and academic programs. The James A. Rhodes Athletic Center offers a gymnasium that is home to the Shawnee State Bears, weight rooms, racquetball courts, a dance classroom, and a junior Olympic size swimming pool. Shawnee State’s Dr. Miller and Genevieve Toombs Children’s Learning Center provides an outstanding educational preparation for area preschool children and serves as a lab school for teacher education students at the University.

Shawnee State now offers an on-campus living experience with room for 600 students. All of Shawnee State’s residences are apartment-style with their own kitchens and bathrooms.

Shawnee State has a rich tradition of success in athletics. A member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics, the University has participated in 18 national championships in 5 of 11 sponsored sports. The women’s basketball team won the NAIA Division II National Championship on March 16, 1999. A member of the American Mideast Conference since 1991, formerly the Mid-Ohio Conference, the Shawnee State Bears have garnered 17 championships in 4 sports.

Engaged in relationships with universities in Germany, China, Morocco, and Spain, Shawnee State University attracts a growing number of international students while SSU students themselves have the opportunity to travel and study abroad thanks to the Hodgden Travel Fund and the Center for International Programs and Activities (CIPA).

Students come to SSU for many reasons including a low student/teacher ratio, more than $1.5 million in scholarships, and proven programs that ensure success in the classroom and in finding jobs.

Shawnee State University—the regional state university of Southern Ohio—prepares students for the changing needs of business, industry, education, and society through its diversified degree programs. Recognizing the importance of knowledge, values, and cultural enrichment, Shawnee State University is committed to providing education that fosters competence in oral and written communication, scientific and quantitative reasoning, and critical analysis/logical thinking. To enrich the lives of the community, the University provides opportunities for continuing personal and professional development, intellectual discovery, and appreciation for the creative and performing arts.

Dedication to the region. The University’s primary focus is providing individuals in the region with the opportunity of a university education, offering baccalaureate and associate degrees in traditional academic fields, innovative interdisciplinary curricula, and technical and career-oriented programs. In 2006, Shawnee State inaugurated its first master’s degree program, in occupational therapy, and through its Graduate Center provides the opportunity for other institutions to offer graduate programs on the Portsmouth campus. Although Shawnee State’s programs focus on the interests and needs of the Southern Ohio region, increasing numbers of students from other areas of Ohio, the tri-state, and the nation are enrolling. They are attracted by the quality and distinctiveness of the programs and the appeal of a moderate-cost education offered at a small, public university by a friendly, accessible faculty and staff.

Focus on excellence in teaching. Teaching and learning are Shawnee State’s most important functions. Service and scholarship, including creative activities and applied research, are essential parts of this function, especially as they inform teaching. Faculty are evaluated first and foremost on excellence in teaching and second on scholarship and/or service to the University and the community.

Dedication to motivating college attendance and graduation. Shawnee State University serves an ever-increasing number of traditional, nontraditional, and transfer students who find themselves competing for jobs and careers in a global technological society. The vision of larger size for the University is a calling to increase the quality of life of people—through education.

Pledge to developing cooperative relationships. As a state university, SSU fulfills Ohio’s public service expectations by meeting state priorities, including the continuing education and training needs of business and industry. Shawnee State is, therefore, a willing partner in cooperative ventures with educational institutions and organizations that assist in developing the economic, educational, and cultural base of south central Ohio.

Commitment to increasing quality. Shawnee State University is committed to a process of quality improvement in its desire to serve the changing needs of society, its institutions, and agencies. That improvement is implemented at SSU in several ways: conducting required academic program reviews every five years, meeting the quality standards of professional accrediting agencies, conducting multiple assessments of student learning outcomes, utilizing selective degree program advisory groups of practicing professionals, surveying alumni and employers annually, and applying Total Quality Improvement principles in selected classrooms and student-serving offices.

Theme: Teaching and Learning

Goal: To be widely recognized as an exemplary public university committed to student success and excellence in teaching and learning.

STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Promote the value of higher education to the community and region.
2. Support and advance effective teaching.
3. Improve student proficiency levels in basic knowledge and skills needed for success in the 21st century, such as oral and written communication, mathematics, and computer skills.
4. Create a “culture of planning” to guide decisions about possible changes in academic programs and services.
5. Sustain academic and student services supporting technical, career-oriented, and professional programs.

Theme: Growth and Development

Goal: To assure the full development of the University through planned enrollment growth and wise investment in educational initiatives.

STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Increase enrollment.
2. Respond selectively to opportunities for growth and expansion of academic programs.
3. Improve graduation and completion rates of students significantly.
4. Improve institutional procedures through organizational change and continuous attention to student needs and human resource development.

Theme: Community

Goal: To increase opportunities for students, the campus community, and area residents by pursuing joint initiatives with the larger community and by cultivating a shared sense of purpose within the University.

STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITIES:

1. Enhance internal and external communication.
2. Enhance commitment to collective planning and decision-making through effective shared governance.
3. Build a more vital campus life.
4. Develop partnerships that involve the University in collaborative activities with other groups and institutions.

Shawnee State University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, telephone 312.263.0456 or 800.621.7440. Graduates of the University are awarded master, baccalaureate, and associate degrees and certificates.

Shawnee State has been accepted to membership in the Academic Quality Improvement Program (AQIP) of the Higher Learning Commission. This alternative route to accreditation emphasizes institutional improvement through continuous implementation of action projects, institutional self-assessments, and reporting through a systems portfolio that documents improvement.

In addition, the institution or specific programs are accredited or approved by the following agencies:

Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education

4720 Montgomery Lane
P.O. Box 31220
Bethesda, MD 20824-1220
301.652.2682
www.aota.org

American Dental Association, Commission on Dental Accreditation

211 East Chicago Avenue
Chicago, IL 60611
312.440.2500
www.ada.org

Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs

7007 College Boulevard, Suite 420
Overland Park, Kansas 66211
913.339.9356
www.acbsp.org

Committee on Accreditation for Respiratory Care (CoARC)

1248 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX 76021-4244
817.283.2835

Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education, American Physical Therapy Association

1111 North Fairfax Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
703.706.3245
www.captaonline.org

Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE)

2201 Double Creek Drive, Suite 5006
Round Rock, TX 78664
512.733.9700
www.caate.net

Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology

20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 2850
Chicago, IL 60606-3182
312.704.5300

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences

8410 West Bryn Avenue, Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631-3415
773.714.8880
www.naacls.org

National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

2010 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Suite 500
Washington, DC 20036-1023
202.466.7946 • Fax: 202.296.6620
www.ncate.org

National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission, Inc. (NLNAC)

61 Broadway, 33rd Floor
New York City, NY 10006
800.669.1656 x153
www.nlnac.org

Ohio Board of Nursing

17 South High Street, Suite 400
Columbus, OH 43215-3413
614.466.3947
www.state.oh.us/nur/

Ohio Board of Regents

30 East Broad Street
36th Floor
Columbus, OH 43266-0417
614.466.6000

Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services (EMT-B and Paramedic Training Programs)

1970 West Broad Street
P.O. Box 182073
Columbus, OH 43218
614.466.3250
www.state.oh.us/odps

State of Ohio, Board of Examiners of Nursing Home Administrators

246 North High Street
Columbus, OH 43216
614.466.5714

State of Ohio, Department of Education

65 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43216-4183
614.466.4838

State of Ohio, Department of Education, Division of Vocational Education

25 South Front Street
Columbus, OH 43215-4183
877.644.6338
www.ode.state.oh.us

United States Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-0498
800.USA.LEARN (800.872.5327)