By Michael D. Clark
The Cincinnati Enquirer

LEBANON - Warren County may be the second-fastest-growing among Ohio's 88 counties, but it's nearly last in the number of adults with any college education.

PILOT PROGRAM

According to state education data, Warren County's 181,000-plus residents rank 82nd among 88 Ohio counties in the number of adults 18 to 39 who have attended any college courses. The proposed Community College of Warren County, which will offer its first courses in August at the Warren County Career Center (WCCC) just north of Lebanon, is in a two-year pilot program in cooperation with Miami University, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and Sinclair Community College in Dayton. No tuition has been established yet, nor specific class schedules, but the initial college courses to be offered through the three sponsoring universities and colleges will include: health care, culinary arts, business information management, civil engineering technology, law enforcement, computer graphics and aviation maintenance. For information call the adult education office at WCCC at (513) 932-8145.

Members of a specially appointed board in Lebanon said Tuesday the best way to improve that education gap is what they're doing - creating a two-year community college that would be the first in Warren County.

The nine-member board of trustees for the fledgling Community College of Warren County met in preparation for its June 17 meeting with the Ohio Board of Regents in Columbus, where they will formally seek approval by the state's governing board of colleges and universities to continue creating the college.

While creating a community college from scratch isn't easy, board members are undeterred by the planningand logistics involved.

Some college-level courses will be offered at the Warren County Career Center just north of Lebanon beginning in late August.

Last year, a state bill that established a two-year pilot program for the proposed community college was passed, and Gov. Bob Taft appointed three people to the nine-member board of trustees. Warren County commissioners appointing the remaining six.

At this early stage there are more questions than answers, said board members, who nevertheless are working with Miami University, Cincinnati State Technical and Community College and Sinclair Community College in Dayton in planning the first course offerings.

E-mail mclark@enquirer.com