A History of Progress

Miami University, founded in 1809, is approaching its 200th anniversary with ambitious goals for transforming the curriculum, the faculty and the campus to meet the needs of a new century. But just as Miami's "First in 2009" vision is an outline for change, it is also a plan for preserving and carrying forward the spirit of Miami. The university is seeking people to join the Miami community who will continue the tradition of personal commitment to students.

Miami's focus on students and its national reputation for quality education attract superior students from around the country. More than 60 percent of entering students post an ACT score of 26 or above or an SAT score exceeding 1200. More than 40 percent of entering students graduate in the top 10th of their high school classes.

Miami is one of only two liberal arts institutions ranked in the top 50 national doctoral public universities by U.S. News and World Report. In addition to enjoying a reputation for outstanding academic quality, Miami faculty members recognize the connection between teaching and scholarship and strongly embrace the teacher/scholar model. Miami's 11 doctoral programs and more than 50 master's programs support that model and attract leading scholars to our campus. Miami will be adding 50 new faculty positions within the next five years across various disciplines, to further strengthen areas of excellence in scholarship and teaching.

Although traditions are strong at Miami, the university is increasingly known as an innovator. In 2003, Miami adopted a new tuition plan that is being looked at closely by other public universities in similar strong market positions. The plan follows the private university model of listing a single tuition, rather than separate fees for in-state and out-of-state students. All Ohio residents receive sizeable scholarships, a portion of which varies according to financial need or ability. The plan recognizes that Miami's competitors are private universities and gives Miami more flexibility in making financial awards to attract the best and brightest students, regardless of family income.

A stimulating work environment:

Miami's enrollment includes about 16,000 students on the Oxford campus and another 6,000 students at regional campuses in nearby Hamilton and Middletown. The university also maintains a campus in Luxembourg and has one of the nation's highest participation rates for study abroad.

Miami has more than 3,500 benefit-eligible employees, ranging from police officers to physicists, from flutists to university fundraisers and from computer specialists to counselors.

Miami's increasingly strong national reputation has been built on the high quality education that it provides for undergraduates. The seamless integration of academic and student affairs results in an involving, student-centered, residential experience on the Oxford campus. All students complete the Miami Plan for Liberal Education, a core curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, understanding concepts, and engaging with other learners.

The university strives to achieve a balance that keeps faculty intellectually engaged and that still attends to its primary mission as an undergraduate teaching institution. Faculty work with students both in the classroom and in research projects not broadly available at larger "R1" universities. The Office for the Advancement of Research and Scholarship offers considerable research support.

Faculty strive to teach well and are well-supported to do so. In the book Creating the Future of Faculty Development: Learning from the Past, Understanding the Present, Miami is named among the top four schools nationwide as influential models for faculty development.

A $500 million fundraising campaign is under way to increase resources available for academic support and student scholarships.

An emphasis on student success:

Personal attention from Miami faculty and staff helps students excel and explore their capabilities. Some examples:

• In both 2004 and 2005, three Miami students received the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships, the most prestigious undergraduate award in mathematics, engineering and natural sciences. Miami was one of just 33 schools to have three or more recipients.
• Miami is recognized by the Truman Scholarship Foundation as an Honor Institution for producing Truman Scholars.
• Miami is among a select group of universities in the nation that have produced a Rhodes Scholar, a Truman Scholar, and a Goldwater Scholar in the same academic year, 2004.
• Miami's graduation rates are among the highest nationally, in the top 10 among NCAA Division I public universities. Retention rates are also high, with 91 percent of freshmen returning for their sophomore year.
• Miami's law school acceptance rate is 80 percent, compared to 65 percent nationally.
• Of all qualified Miami students applying to medical school, 66 percent are accepted. The national average is only 50 percent.
• A Wall Street Journal study of 5,000 colleges and universities determined which institutions send the highest percentage of students to elite grad programs like Yale medical school, Harvard law or Wharton's MBA program. Miami ranked as a top 30 state "feeder" school.
• Miami consistently ranks in the top 20 in the nation in the number of students who study abroad, many of them in programs and workshops organized by Miami faculty in places as diverse as Ghana, Italy and Belize.
• Students from Miami's Hamilton and Middletown regional campuses do well when they relocate to the Oxford campus. More than 93 percent achieve academic "good standing" at Oxford.

Excellent benefits and superior facilities

• Miami's benefits are among the best in the nation. They include a tuition rebate for benefit-eligible employees, their spouses and children. Visit the Employment at Miami for more information on Miami's benefits package, which includes a top-notch retirement plan, insurance, domestic partner benefits, etc., as well as information about resources in the surrounding communities.
• Located in the southwest corner of Ohio, the tree-shaded lawns of the Oxford campus are bordered by gracious Georgian-style buildings, inspiring poet Robert Frost to declare the Miami University campus "the most beautiful college there is." The university has planned better than most public institutions for renovation or replacement of older buildings; currently under construction are new homes for the Richard T. Farmer School of Business, the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and the psychology department.
• The regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown are just 13 and 22 miles from Oxford, allowing easy travel between campuses. As these campuses expand their facilities with such projects as a $10.3 million science building and a $3.3 million conservatory, they are becoming showcases for excellent design in their communities.
• Wireless computing capabilities are now available in all buildings on all Miami campuses as well as many "green spaces" located in common areas.
• Miami's libraries ranked first in overall client satisfaction in a recent benchmarking survey.