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Dear Friends and Partners,

At ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University, ASPIRE — Advancing State Priorities, Igniting Regional Economies — has a singular purpose: to align university strengths with the leading priorities of Ohio’s government, industries, and communities. This alignment underscores ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s role as more than an academic institution — we are a committed partner in Ohio’s progress. Many universities contribute to the public good, but ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú distinguishes itself by embedding this mission in ASPIRE — an office that turns commitment into focused strategy, purposeful partnerships, and measurable results. Through ASPIRE, partners gain a single, coordinated entry point that links university strengths with the state’s priorities and the prosperity of its regions.

Our focus is clear: industry driven and centered on creating the talent Ohio needs. Talent that:

• Adds Value on Day One of Employment: ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is expanding applied learning and employer engagement so completers enter the workforce prepared from day one. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Ohio Polytechnic Institute and the Work+ Program model the intersection of meaningful industry experiences and education, serving simultaneously as preparation for future professionals and training pipelines for employers.
• Attracts and Anchors Industries and Individuals to Ohio: ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is leveraging Ohio’s industrial strengths and ingenuity to meet global demand by cultivating talent in fields like quantum computing and advanced manufacturing. This work helps position Ohio as a destination where world-class companies and individuals choose to invest, innovate, and grow.
• Accelerates Innovation: ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is positioning Ohio at the forefront of breakthrough industries by elevating innovators who turn discoveries into applications through platforms, such as the Fisher Innovation College@Elm incubator and the Advanced Air Mobility Hub.
• Advances and Elevates Ohio Communities: ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú is advancing and elevating Ohio’s communities, recognizing that strong communities make a strong state. Through efforts like the Ohio Hometown Talent Initiative, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú forges partnerships that connect businesses, jobs, and civic life in rural, suburban, and urban communities, while also placing emerging professionals in internships that provide valuable hands-on workplace experience and exposure to the vibrancy of Ohio’s communities.

ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University is leading the way in shaping Ohio’s future, and ASPIRE is the anchor point that makes collaboration seamless — driving economic growth, strengthening communities, and expanding opportunities across the state. ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú and the ASPIRE Team look forward to continuing this journey with you.

Very truly yours,  Randi Malcolm Thomas, Esq. Vice President, ASPIRE