When they were founded as branches, Ohio University’s regional campuses were intended to be temporary—a way to handle the postwar flood of students brought on by the GI Bill. Classes took place in high schools, and most students had to come to Athens eventually to complete their degrees.

Today, Regional Campuses are a permanent, valuable part of Ohio University’s educational mission. The children and grandchildren of those war veterans now attend the five regional campuses by the thousands; many of them graduate having never set foot on the Athens campus.

The reasons our students choose a regional campus are as varied as the students themselves. Many are working full- or part-time. Some are single parents trying to improve their job opportunities. Others simply want to economize by earning a college degree while living at home.

Because of their students’ proximity to home, the regional campuses have a unique relationship with their communities. Class research projects and practicum experiences almost always are linked to real needs in the area. Working in collaboration with local businesses, governments, and schools, regional campus students gain real-world experience while aiding their communities. Moreover, because they tend to remain near their hometowns after earning their degrees, regional campus graduates enrich their communities’ economic and academic progress.