Kent State University’s long-standing relationship with the Tuscarawas County University Branch District to administer the Tuscarawas Campus of Kent State will continue through June 30, 2030, in a new 10-year agreement approved by the Kent State Board of Trustees. The contract was approved at the Board’s regular quarterly meeting, which was held Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Tuscarawas Campus.
Located in New Philadelphia, Kent State University at Tuscarawas serves as one of Kent State’s seven Regional Campuses. Kent State Tuscarawas enrolls about 2,100 students who can complete 27 bachelor’s and associate degrees. The campus serves another 4,500 individuals through noncredit courses offered by the Office of Business and Community Services.
“Kent State has enjoyed a strong and long-standing partnership with the Tuscarawas County University Branch District,” Kent State President Todd Diacon said. “We are proud to extend that relationship for another 10 years to continue to provide a high-quality, affordable college education to the citizens of Tuscarawas County.”
For more than five decades, Kent State has administered the Tuscarawas Campus since it was first created under the provisions of the Branch District legislation, which was passed by the Ohio Legislature in the mid-1960s. Under the legislation, all 88 of Ohio’s counties were provided the opportunity of becoming Branch Taxing Districts, but only Tuscarawas chose to do so. In September 2018, Kent State Tuscarawas celebrated its 50th anniversary.
“I am so pleased to have the opportunity to lead such a remarkable campus, working for such a great university,” said Brad Bielski, dean and chief administrative officer of Kent State Tuscarawas. “This partnership provides countless opportunities to serve the needs of this wonderful community. I wish to thank the members of the Kent State Board and administration and the Tuscarawas County University Branch District for their continued support and commitment to further strengthening our already strong relationship.”
The new contract delineates the terms under which Kent State will provide educational services to the Tuscarawas County University Branch District through June 30, 2030. In general, the university will administer and operate the campus, providing those services that educational institutions traditionally provide in the areas of instruction, finances, curriculum, administration, operation and maintenance of physical plant, and student services.