Ashland University Intern Program Has $7.7 million Economic Impact

Last year, Ashland University’s College of Education student internship program had more than $7.7 million in economic impact to the state of Ohio, by far the largest impact of any institution in the state.

“Not only was this the largest student teaching impact of any private institution in the state, it was 18 percent of the total economic impact of all private institutions in the state,” said Dr. Donna Breault, dean of AU’s College of Education.

Ashland University’s student internship total of more than $7.7 million in economic impact to the state easily outdistanced the second highest institution in the state -- the University of Dayton, which had a $3.1 million economic impact.

“Ashland University’s College of Education continues to maintain one of the strongest reputations in the state for teacher and leader preparation and this report is just another illustration of this,” Breault said. “Our internship program is exceptional because we have such committed faculty and school-district partners who work together to ensure our students apply all they have learned.”

Breault added, “Educators across this state tell us they see a clear difference in our student teachers compared to those from other institutions.”

This economic impact report was provided by the Ohio Association of Private Colleges for Teacher Education, and it was distributed Wednesday during the “Day on the Hill,” where teacher educators from around the state met with legislators in Columbus to discuss important issues regarding teacher preparation in Ohio.

Breault and Dr. Cathy Chappell, AU’s director of Quality Assurance and Accreditation, attended the higher education hearings and visited with legislators and aides throughout the day. “I was able to share materials about many of the things we are doing here at AU, and I offered to serve as a resource for their future efforts,” Breault said.

Ashland University, which has been ranked in the top tier of colleges and universities in U.S. News and World Report’s National Universities category, is a mid-sized, comprehensive private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Religiously affiliated with the Brethren Church, Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) deeply values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.