April 18, 2021
New Ursuline College students interested in Nursing, Art Therapy, Biology, Biochemistry, or Chemistry may qualify for up to $4,200 per year in renewable Choose Ohio First (COF) Scholarships, thanks to a $1,092,000 state grant to the College announced recently.
“We are very pleased to be able to offer future students these scholarships and the hands-on learning opportunities that go with them,” said Sister Christine De Vinne, OSU, PhD, president of the College. “Choose Ohio First Scholarships will provide welcome financial support and help our students advance toward their chosen careers.”
In addition to financial assistance, the COF program involves connecting students to work-based learning experiences including mentorship, job shadowing, internships, and research. The priority deadline for applications, is May 1 while the final deadline is June 1. Further information and an application link are at Ursuline.edu/chooseohio.
Ursuline’s undergraduate nursing program accounts for approximately 50% of enrollment and is the #2 ranked program in Ohio, with 100% employment post-licensure. The Art Therapy program is helping meet a growing demand for mental health providers and is the only program in Ohio that offers a bridge to a Master’s in Counseling and Art Therapy, which is required to practice as an art therapist.
Ursuline’s Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemistry programs offer one-on-one mentorship and research opportunities, and the option of pursuing Pre-Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, or Pre-Veterinary concentrations
This is the largest COF grant Ursuline College has been awarded. The $1,092,000 will be granted over five years to recruit and support each cohort during its educational journey.
The goal of the COF program is to encourage Ohio residents to enter STEMM programs. In fact, COF is part of a strategic effort to bolster Ohio’s economy by ensuring a ready workforce for STEMM-related industries. STEMM stands for science (including health professions), technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
In his announcement letter to Sister Christine, Chancellor of Ohio’s Department of Higher Education Randy Gardner wrote, “As part of the largest number of institutional grantees in COF history, your proposal to provide STEM scholarships will help improve Ohio’s workforce development capacity to innovate and grow our economy.”