Social work students will have an easier path thanks to OSU Lima and Rhodes partnership

LIMA, OH (WLIO) - Two local colleges signed an agreement to help students who want to be social workers have an easier path to getting the degree they need. 

A little over a year ago, officials from Rhodes State College and the Ohio State University of Lima sat down to talk about what programs they could streamline the process of getting an associate degree at Rhodes and, if they wanted, going on to get their bachelor's degree at Ohio State. The social work program is the first since those talks began to have an articulation agreement between the two schools.

"For anyone who is considering a bachelor's degree in social work, this articulated agreement will really make sure that pathway is without barriers," says Dr. Margaret Young, Interim Dean of Ohio State Lima. "We're really making sure we're taking care of some of that back-of-the-house stuff to make sure that life is easier for the students. That all they have to focus on is achieving their dreams."

"My goal, and I think Dr. Young's goal right now, we want to be the campus that employers look to for students that they need in our local area," says Dr. Cynthia Spiers, President of Rhodes State College. "And way to have employers open up more positions is for us to work together to create opportunities for getting into the workforce and advancing in their educational aspirations." 

Social workers are needed not only locally but around the country. Tammie Colon, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board, says this agreement will hopefully help fill that need locally.

"The ability to recruit from other places has been very challenging for us. So, this step towards developing our own people, in our own community, in the way that they need to be served, while I hope encourages them to want to say here," says Colon, Ex. Dir. Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Allen, Auglaize, and Hardin Counties.

Rachel Shelton will be taking her Rhodes State associate degree further in the fall, when she starts down the bachelor's path at Ohio State Lima. She is ready to build on the education that she has gotten at Rhodes.

"It's helped me develop more experience out in the field, as well as working with different agencies in the area so I can expand my education and also help others along the way," says Shelton. "The articulation agreement has made it a lot easier, just because of the pathways agreement, so it's easier to transition."

More articulation agreements between Rhodes and Ohio State Lima could be coming. 

"We've already started talking about another area that we both have on our campus and try and get an articulation there which will really help, and I am going to say the manufacturing industry, so that is going to be our next push," adds Spiers. 

April 18, 2024 Press Release from OSU Lima and Rhodes State College: LIMA, Ohio –The Ohio State University at Lima and Rhodes State College have entered an articulation agreement to simplify the transfer process for students pursuing social work education.

Key highlights of the agreement include:

1.         Seamless Transition: Students completing Rhodes State's Addictions, Mental Health, and Social Work Assistant Associate of Applied Science Degree program can seamlessly transition to Ohio State's Bachelor of Science in Social Work program at Ohio State Lima upon meeting admission criteria.

2.         Academic Excellence: Transfer students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale.

3.         Personalized Support: Dedicated staff members from both institutions will be available to provide personalized support and guidance to transfer students.

This partnership represents a significant step forward in enhancing the transfer experience for social work students and underscores the commitment of Ohio State Lima and Rhodes State College to support student success in social work education.

"Articulation agreements between two quality institutions can be a powerful tool for saving students time and money. This agreement between Rhodes State and Ohio State Lima ensures that courses from Rhodes State students will be accepted at Ohio State Lima, enabling our graduates the opportunity to pursue a bachelor’s degree in their chosen field of study. Dr. Young and I will continue to work together to pursue additional articulation agreements for our community, " said Dr. Cynthia E. Spiers, President of Rhodes State College.

The articulation agreement will open up yet another pipeline of qualified students seeking to become licensed social workers, a field which is in high demand across both Ohio and the United States.

“This partnership is a unique opportunity for our two institutions to come together and address critical workforce shortages in our community,” said Dr. Margaret Young, interim dean and director at Ohio State Lima. “We anticipate this is only the first of these agreements that we will enter into. Dr. Spiers and I are committed to working together to support our students and the communities of northwest and west-central Ohio.”