SURVEY QUESTION

How interested would you be in a UC certificate or degree program that offered all required courses at a site in Warren County? Very interested 59.3% Somewhat interested 28% Not too interested 6.5% Not at all interested 6.2%

Anthony Perzigian, senior vice president and provost for baccalaureate and graduate education for the University of Cincinnati, said Tuesday that UC might begin programs in the county within nine to 12 months.

Perzigian said he'd like to build on the efforts of the UC Center, at the Warren County One Stop Center, where UC offers classroom and distance learning. The university also is piloting two general education courses at Waynesville High School, and would like to collaborate with other colleges and universities in the area.

His comments came after university officials unveiled the results of a countywide survey taken last summer to assess the needs of higher education in Warren County. The region's fastest-growing county is one of the largest in the state without a college campus within its borders.

The UC/Warren County Educational Needs Assessment was taken by the university's Institute for Policy Research. Officials conducted a telephone survey of 356 randomly selected Warren County adults who plan to pursue higher education within five years. Focus groups involving students, guidance counselors, and business representatives were also completed. Six out of 10 people who responded to the survey said they would be interested in enrolling in a degree program if they could take all the needed courses in Warren County.

"It just says this is a place where we need to be a part of the county's future," said Fritz Russ, UC senior vice provost in charge of program development and budgeting.

Jack Hedges, former mayor of Lebanon and a member of the UC/Warren County Advisory Board, said the county has always lacked two essential items that draw people in - a hospital and higher education.

"If you're looking for a community to retire to or move to, what are the things you look for?" Hedges said. "Education and medical services are right at the top."

UC owns property along Interstate 71 in Warren County, but officials said there are no plans to develop it.