Owens Dual Admission Programs Create Pathway to Bachelor’s Degree


Lauryn Dozier, Pre-Nursing Student

Lauryn Dozier, Pre-Nursing Student

After attending a large, regional 4-year university for two years, Lauryn Dozier knew things were not working as planned. She said her grades were suffering and she feared she would not realize her career goal of becoming a nurse.

The Findlay High School graduate returned home to attend Owens Community College for Fall Semester 2019, enrolling in the Oiler Express Dual Admission Program that allows students to begin at Owens and finish their bachelor’s degree at the University of Findlay.

“It was better for me to go to school someplace that was smaller and more affordable,” Dozier, 22, said about Owens. “A lot of my friends’ parents got their degrees at Owens. I knew it was reputable. Everyone I talked to about Owens seemed to love it.”

Dozier said she now feels the same way about Owens as she’s in her second semester in the pre-nursing program. She plans to complete her Associate Degree in nursing before transferring to the University of Findlay for her bachelor’s degree in nursing.

“Nursing is where I’m meant to be. I want to help people,” said Dozier, whose mother, Roxanne Reedy, is a retired RN.

Dozier earned her nurse assistant certification after high school and previously worked at Birchaven Village, a retirement community in Findlay.

The Oiler Express program, which began in March 2019, creates a direct path for students to complete their bachelor’s degree as quickly as possible in a variety of academic programs; not just nursing.

“There are so many advantages for Owens students to be enrolled in the Oiler Express program, especially if they know they want to pursue a bachelor’s degree,” Amy Giordano, Owens Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services, said. “Students need to complete just one application for admission at Owens and Findlay. We have a great partnership with the University of Findlay, so staff from both institutions collaborate to ensure that students meet all requirements.

“By starting at Owens, students will save money on their college education. Plus, scholarships are available at Owens and Findlay to make the cost of the bachelor’s degree more affordable than students might think,” she said.

The Oiler Express program is one of four dual admission partnerships offered by Owens Community College. The Falcon Express program was the first Owens dual admission partnership with a 4-year institution, beginning with Bowling Green State University in 2016. Similar partnerships with the University of Toledo (2017), Lourdes University (2018) and Findlay followed.

In Fall Semester 2019, these popular programs totaled 1,636 enrolled students (nearly 18 percent of the Owens student body).

Express Dual Admissions Programs >>
Registered Nursing Program >>
Findlay-area Campus >>

 
 
Published January 2020