About Us
Formed in 1967, SOCHE is a consortium of colleges and universities in Ohio that promotes educated, employed, and engaged citizens.
Mission
SOCHE is a leader for higher collaboration, engaging with colleges, universities, and industry to transform the economy through education and employment.
Educate
Grow educational and leadership opportunities for faculty, staff, and students.
Employ
Build the Ohio workforce by enhancing employment prospects for students and graduates.
Excel
Model collaboration excellence to find innovative solutions to advance higher education.
Endure
Establish SOCHE as the backbone organization of distinction in higher education.
SOCHE Membership:
Something for Everyone
College and University Deans, Officers, and Directors
- Councils or committees for most program directors on campus to collaborate with peers at other institutions. Go to the Councils and Committees page
- Special task forces to tackle pressing issues, like COVID-19.
- ODHE advocate for significant concerns impacting institutions.
Collaborative grant opportunities.
Students
- Hundreds of paid internship opportunities for most career fields and all education levels. Go to the SOCHEintern page
- Fellowship research opportunities for masters and doctoral level students. Go to the DAGSI page
- Federal Employment webpages to help with the process of applying for any federal position. Go to the Federal Employment page
- Cross Registration to allow eligible students to attend classes that are unavailable at their home institutions. Go to the Cross Registration page
- Volunteer opportunities and resources. Go to the Volunteer page
- Fast access to degree and certification program information. Go to the Degree Finder page
Faculty and Staff
- Hundreds of FREE webinars are available for personal and classroom use through a partnership with Innovative Educators. Go to the Webinars page
- Opportunities for personal and professional development through workshops, lunch and learns, and flexible course delivery webinars on various topics. Go to the Events page
- Collaborative meetings to share best practices, resources, and professional development tools. Go to the Councils and Committees page
- Funding opportunities to support research. Go to the DAGSI page
SOCHE by the Numbers
We’ve collected statistics for enrollment and achievements of all SOCHE members over the past six academic years. Scroll over the table below to highlight a specific stat and see how it has evolved.
| SOCHE Members Combined Stats | 2019-20 | 2018-19 | 2017-18 | 2016-17 | 2015-16 | 2014-15 | 2013-14 | 2012-13 | 2011-12 | 2010-11 | 2009-10 | 2008-09 | 2007-08 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Students enrolled (FTE) | 138,266 | 137,427 | 146,197 | 149,762 | 149,236 | 150,788 | 89,339 | 90,459 | 85,759 | 71,336 | 63,278 | 64,080 | 62,410 |
| Students enrolled (Unduplicated Headcount) | 226, 384 | 219,296 | 189,536 | 194,699 | 227,620 | 230,158 | 155,564 | 117,770 | 108,211 | 117,115 | 112,508 | 108,898 | 104,059 |
| Out of state students* | 4,013 | 4,511 | 3,670 | 4,047 | 4,948 | 5,137 | 1,755* | 5,639 | 1,779 | 2,111 | 1,711 | 2,099 | 1,981 |
| Undergraduate degrees awarded | 19,109 | 19,810 | 22,672 | 22,693 | 20,375 | 21,712 | 10,718 | 10,976 | 9,908 | 6,271 | 6,791 | 6,760 | 6,418 |
| Associate degrees awarded | 6,544 | 6,291 | 6,239 | 6,346 | 5,872 | 5,313 | 4,567 | 5,102 | 3,437 | 3,649 | 3,273 | 3,307 | 3,055 |
| Undergraduate STEMM degrees awarded | 4,827 | 4,973 | 9,909 | 9,793 | 2,368 | 2,105 | 1,195 | 1,215 | 5,477 | 1,648 | 1,459 | 1,460 | 1,372 |
| Undergraduate degrees awarded to Black and Hispanic students | 2,089 | 2,159 | 3,184 | 3,063 | 2,266 | 2,380 | 1,806 | 3,342 | 1,377 | 918 | 890 | 890 | 914 |
| Graduate and professional degrees awarded | 8,875 | 8,864 | 10,996 | 10,913 | 9,604 | 9,169 | 5,184 | 5,182 | 5,764 | 3,413 | 2,874 | 2,918 | 2,958 |
| Graduate and professional degrees awarded to Black and Hispanic students | 914 | 903 | 1,266 | 1,201 | 1,067 | 1,054 | 889 | 996 | 994 | 314 | 373 | 272 | 307 |
| Certificates awarded | 8,085 | 8,227 | 6,019 | 5,566 | 5,902 | 4,592 | 2,016 | 3,173 | 2,712 | 2,734 | 2,653 | 2,110 | 2,419 |
* First time undergraduates only. Only 19 institutions reported this statistic. 20 institutions reported for 16-17 and 17-18 years.
Economic Impact Study
This study employs data from SOCHE member institutions about enrollment, staffing, revenues, and expenditures, along with data from other research on non-local student and visitor spending, taxes, and employment by industry to assess the impacts on the economy.
The History of SOCHE
In 1967, the DMVC was formed to promote community service and inter-institutional cooperation in order to achieve educational advancement, research development, and administrative efficiency of the member institutions. 50+ years later we strive for the same goals by connecting higher education institutions to increase opportunity, propel change, and promote education.
DMVC is Created
The Dayton Miami Valley Consortium was created in 1967 with the purpose of serving students and higher education in the Miami Valley.
1967
Consortium Libraries Share Materials
Librarians from SOCHE member libraries shared resources through an agreement with United Parcel Service for delivery service at $2 a week per institution.
1968
Xenia Tornado
SOCHE worked with member institutions to respond to the Xenia Tornado of 1974.
1974
Cross Registration Program
Created and continues to provide eligible students enrolled at any SOCHE member institution the opportunity to register and receive credit for courses offered by other participating SOCHE institutions.
1975
Project Reach
Project Reach guided individuals into a college education by providing encouragement, information, and opportunities for success.
1975
Committee on the Academic Uses of the Computer for Education
1978-1988 this committee worked to integrate computer technology into education.
1978
Air Force Research Lab (AFRL)
AFRL’s goal was to provide student interns in support of AFRL’s mission of providing world class research and development to advance the Air Force mission.
Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT)
The original AFIT contract was awarded in the late 1980’s. The goal was to provide student interns to support AFIT’s mission-essential role of providing high-quality academic and continuing education, research, and development programs to enable the Air Force to sustain its competitive advantage.1980's
DMVC name change to SOCHE (Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education)
1984
Cable Television for Educational Outreach Committee
Identified first generation and economically disadvantaged youth to either reenroll in high school or the equivalent for a postsecondary degree.
1988
Faculty Retreat for Diversity Awareness
SOCHE created the Diversity Awareness and Campus Climate Committee and hosted workshops on strengthening diversity in higher education.
1993
Articulation Workshop: Reducing Barriers and Expanding Educational Opportunities
Created a more visible presence for the work of transfer advisors on member campuses.
1996
Technology in the Classroom & Distance Learning Workshop
This hands-on workshop featured advanced sessions on working with technology in the classroom and distance education.
1998
Degree Finder
Pioneered the new SOCHE Degree Finder which provides the Miami Valley’s first web-based listing of over 700 degrees offered by SOCHE member institutions.
2000
GC3 (formerly GCCCU) Partnership
This agreement with the Greater Cincinnati Collegiate Connection (GC3) continues to allow SOCHE students to cross-register with GC3 institutions in a manner similar to the current cross-registration process within SOCHE.
2001
Democracy in Action Award
13 campuses received Democracy in Action awards for hosting events following the tragedies of 9/11 & SOCHE conducted a faculty retreat focused on Higher Education’s reaction to International Conflict and Terrorism.
2002
SOCHE Sustainability Committee
The SOCHE Sustainability Committee was formed to share information with member institutions and to work towards economic, social, and environmental sustainability.
2008
SOCHE Talks
In collaboration with ThinkTV and WYSO, SOCHE Talks was designed to enlighten the listener with knowledge from higher education institutions in Southwestern Ohio.
2011
SOCHE Intern
SOCHE Intern’s focus is working with businesses, city, and county government organizations across the Miami Valley to recruit and hire interns. Since 2012, SOCHE has developed relationships with over 50 companies and governmental agencies across the region and places hundreds of interns in companies with a variety of specialty areas to include human resources, business administration, marketing, supply chain management, engineering, program management, quality control, and many more.
2012
Ohio Internship and Co-op Appreciation Day
SOCHE President worked with Senator Beagle on the development and passage of the Ohio Internship and Co-op Appreciation Day (2nd Tuesday in April).
2013
TEDx Dayton
SOCHE became the fiscal agent for TEDx Dayton.
2014
SOCHE Ed
The “We’re All In” conference brought 200 colleagues to the Dayton Art Institute (DAI) to discuss the future of higher education.
2014
First Ohio Internship and Co-Op Appreciation Day Observed
Senator Bill Beagle’s office worked closely with the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE) to envision Senate Bill 227 and present proponent testimony to the Ohio Senate and House. Gov. John Kasich recently signed into law Senate Bill 227, sponsored by Sen. Bill Beagle, “to designate the second Tuesday of April as Ohio Internship and Co-op Appreciation Day.” In partnership with CareSource, SOCHE celebrated the inaugural Ohio Internship and Co-Op Appreciation Day on Tuesday, April 14, at CareSource in downtown Dayton.
2015
CINDAY CYBER Created
Cincinnati-Dayton Cyber Corridor was created to establish and enhance Southwestern Ohio’s reputation as a national leader in cybersecurity education, research and private and public partnerships.
2016
Innovative Educators
SOCHE established a partnership with Innovative Educators to provide our members access to over 300 professional development training courses, as well as access to unlimited live webinars covering the most pressing topics in higher education.
2017
Ohio Community Connectors
The grant allowed SOCHE to work with underserved middle school children in the Dayton region to provide them an overview of in-demand careers through camp activities.
2017
APDC
SOCHE welcomes the Aerospace Professional Development Center (APDC) to help shape the future growth of the aerospace and aviation industry.
2018
SOCHE Engage
SOCHE Engage creates regional workforce initiatives and internship management to connect industry employers with talented students to develop the workforce of tomorrow by providing experiential learning opportunities to students through paid internships.
2018
Career Adventures Camp
The goal of the Career Adventures Camp was to provide Dayton area middle schoolers an opportunity to learn about and visit locations of in-demand career fields.
2018
myVeteran Community
myVeteran Community joins SOCHE to encourage community involvement. VA and community leaders have begun participating more actively in community-based efforts to maximize the collective impact of local services, stakeholders, and federal/state agencies working together to improve Veteran outcomes.
2018
Dayton Strong
SOCHE joins other area organizations to host the Dayton Strong Benefit Concert to raise funds for people affected by the 2019 Dayton Tornado.
2019
20 By 20 CHALLENGE
SOCHE launched the 20 by 20 Challenge in 2013 focused on increasing the number of internships in the region to 20,000 per year by 2020. Eight years later, the number of internships has increased at an annual growth rate of over 10%!
2020
Workforce We Need Summit
The purpose of the Workforce We Need Summit was to bring together Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) leadership with Ohio College and University leadership to share the current and future workforce opportunities at WPAFB. This event provided college leadership with an understanding of WPAFB missions and the career opportunities available.
2020
Launch of Federal Employment Portal
Portal designed to provide all job seekers quick and easy access to Federal employment opportunities.
2020
COVID Taskforce
SOCHE conducted collaborative meetings to bring together leaders from SOCHE colleges and universities to discuss COVID-19 challenges, share best practices, and define new policies and procedures for schools to reopen.
2020
SOCHE Changes Names
SOCHE changes name from Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education to Strategic Ohio Council for Higher Education to better reflect the mission and expanding services that extend beyond Southwestern Ohio.
2021
Meet Our Members
SOCHE is an alliance of academic organizations that provide higher education in their communities. Each member is an advocate of innovation, opportunity and success. They strive to promote scholastic achievement through the development of new technologies and quality education.
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Meet the SOCHE Team
Board of Trustees
SOCHE is governed by a Board of Trustees which includes presidents and representatives from member colleges, universities, and corporations.
The Executive Committee is responsible for the governance activities of the Consortium.
The duties of the Executive Committee include:
- Providing communication links among members.
- Consulting with members about varied interests relating to the activities of the Council.
- Assisting in preparation of proposals to the Board. Projects, programs, and activities approved by the Board are carried out under the direction of the Executive Committee in accordance with the polices and instructions of the Board.
The Executive Committee prepares the annual budget for submission to the Board and is charged with responsibility for the expenditure of the Council’s funds in accordance with the determination of the Board. The Executive Committee discharges these responsibilities through appointed staff.
Board Members
Sharen Neuhardt
Interim President
Bill Groves
President
Thomas White
President
Jack Thomas
President
Member-at-Large
Monica Posey
President
Jo Alice Blondin
President
Member-at-Large
Doreen Larson
President
Chairperson
David Decker
President
Nate Brandstater
President
Past Chairperson
Derek Barker
Program Officer
Ande Durojaiye
Dean
Steven Johnson
President
Cassie Barlow
President
Kevin Boys
President
Karen Schuster Webb
President
Treasurer
Neville G. Pinto
President
Eric Spina
President
Member-at-Large
Elfred Pinkard
President
Trevor Bates
President
Michael Frandsen
President
Vice Chairperson
