First-ever bachelor’s degree grads at Cincinnati State recognized by Chancellor
Randy Gardner, the Chancellor of the Ohio Department of Higher Education visited Cincinnati State on May 7, 2021, to congratulate the College’s first-ever bachelor’s degree recipients.
Chancellor Gardner said in a news release, “Cincinnati State’s Land Surveying program means students in the program don’t have to leave Ohio to get their bachelor’s degree, and they’re well prepared for a successful future.”
Chancellor Gardner’s visit was part of a state-wide celebration of “In Demand Jobs Week” in Ohio.
At Commencement on June 26, 2021, Cincinnati State will award the degree Bachelor of Applied Science in Land Surveying to 21 students.
All of the graduates have already obtained employment, with annual salaries averaging above $55,000.
Steve Cahill, president of Abercrombie and Associates Inc., a Cincinnati civil engineering and surveying firm, said, “This new degree is a game changer for us– we need these young people in our profession.”
Cincinnati State President Monica Posey said, “We are so proud of these students, and of our Land Surveying program.”
“Area employers have wanted this to happen for a long time, and we are honored to have been able to meet this crucial workforce need.”
Media coverage of the event with the Chancellor included an article published at Cincinnati.com, and news reports on WCPO TV (Ch. 9), Fox19 TV, and WKRC TV (Ch. 12).
The event took place with limited attendance to maintain campus safety protocols.
The College’s first bachelor’s degree graduates are:
- Ethan Armstrong
- Nathan Burke
- John Dusa
- Thomas Edwards
- Daniel Hickey
- Gregory Liff
- Ryan Maxwell
- Tyler McClintock
- Christopher McKee
- Andrew Merchinsky
- Cara Morman
- Doug Piepmeier
- Bradley Pio
- Jacob Roll
- Michael Roth
- Samuel Sketch
- Luke Strotman
- Jacob Subler
- Paul Wimmer
- Benjamin Wing
- Joseph (Trey) Wolterman
Background:
Cincinnati State was in the first group of community colleges (along with Sinclair Community College and Lorain County Community College) granted approval in 2018 to offer Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in addition to associate’s degrees and short-term certificates.
Prior to the full approval of the Land Surveying bachelor’s degree, Cincinnati State already offered some junior and senior level courses in Land Surveying through two certificate programs. Students who had previous completed the Surveying associate’s degree were able to accelerate their progress toward completing bachelor’s degree requirements.
Six more students are expected to complete the Land Surveying bachelor’s degree at the end of Summer semester.
Cincinnati State’s other Bachelor of Applied Science degree, in Culinary and Food Science, anticipates its first graduating class in 2023. Currently, more than 40 students are enrolled in the program.