Cincinnati State Middletown campus opens Wednesday

MIDDLETOWN, Ohio - Work crews were putting the finishing touches on the new Cincinnati State Middletown Campus Monday.

"Our enrollment goal was 200 and at last check we were at 181," said Michael Chikeleze who will serve as the director of the Middletown campus.

Chikeleze was busy Monday giving tours to faculty members who will be teaching at what used to be the Cincinnati Gas and Electric building on Middletown's North Main Street.

"This is a fully integrated campus with our main campus," said Chikeleze. "We have about 15 programs and five certificate programs that students can start."

It is hoped that the new location will tap into a local market of adults who are looking to get trained and get into the workforce.

"We have an awful lot of adult learners and we need to be where they can get to us," said music instructor Michael Jones.

Jones and chemistry instructor Chris Kinard were among the many faculty members who were shown their classrooms.

"I think the communities need an area where people can go get a degree like a two year degree and get busy working as quickly as possible," said Kinard.

Kinard, a retired chemist, has seen his role with Cincinnati State grow over the last few years.

"I started as a tutor, then worked as a substitute and now I'm an adjunct instructor," said Kinard who teaches chemistry to students entering the medical field.

"With all of the cutbacks and the economy it will be good for people to be able to re-tool and learn something new," said Kinard.

With Wednesday's start date just a day away Chikelze reminds those in the area that Friday is the cutoff for fall enrollment.