Defiance College receives $616,000 ODHE grant

December13, 2022

DEFIANCE, Ohio -- Defiance College will receive $616,000 in a grant award from the Ohio Department of
Higher Education (ODHE) as part of the Choose Ohio First (COF) initiative. The COF looks to significantly
strengthen Ohio's competitiveness within science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) disciplines
and STEM education. The grant will provide scholarships for DC students seeking a degree in the STEM
field.

Choose Ohio First is part of the state's strategy to develop and enhance STEM talent in Ohio. "The
success and ongoing support of the Choose Ohio First program means more Defiance College students
have an excellent opportunity to prepare for a successful STEM career," Ohio Department of Higher
Education Chancellor Randy Gardner said. "This latest award shows Defiance's commitment to providing
skilled workers in the healthcare field and, more importantly, its talented students in the exercise
science-pre-physical therapy program."

Defiance College has continued to focus on STEM programing, while remaining true to the College's
liberal arts roots. Enrollment in DC's STEM fields continues to increase, in large part due to the efforts of
Bridgette Winslow, Dean of the Institute for Pre-Health and Wellness Studies. Winslow works tirelessly
with students applying to all types of medical, dental, and veterinary schools.

Procuring the grant was a campus-wide effort with support from Dr. Agnes Caldwell, Vice President for
Academic Affairs, and Bridgette Winslow, Dean of the Institute for Pre-Health and Wellness Studies.
"Defiance College is proud to continue providing and expanding educational opportunities in the STEM
field," stated Dr. Richanne C. Mankey, President of Defiance College. "With leadership by Dean Bridgette
Winslow, our Institute for Pre-Health and Wellness Studies will continue to thrive, sending students into
the medical field with a vast amount of knowledge and experience that sets them apart."

Chartered in 1850, Defiance College is an independent, liberal arts-based institution in Northwest Ohio, offering more than 40 undergraduate programs of study as well as graduate programs in education and business. Defiance College has received national recognition for its educational experience of service and engagement. DC has created a unique career readiness program called Jacket Journey to help students learn career skills in and out of the classroom. The four pillars of its mission guide the College: To Know, To Understand, To Lead, and To Serve.