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It is no secret that if Ohio wants to grow and prosper, it must raise the education level of all Ohioans and provide access to high-quality education at an affordable cost. Higher education and workforce development are key to growing and sustaining our economy.

To that end, the General Assembly and Gov. Ted Strickland asked Board of Regents Chancellor Eric Fingerhut to create a plan that would make education obtainable and more affordable to Ohioans. On March 31, the Chancellor delivered his vision for maximizing Ohio's higher education system.

The 10-year higher education strategic plan will accomplish three things: graduate more students, keep more graduates in Ohio and attract more individuals with college degrees to Ohio. The plan, which was born from meetings between the Chancellor and legislators, state agency leaders, educational experts, business leaders, university presidents, administrators, faculty and students, seeks to raise the overall education attainment of all Ohioans, and to utilize a system of universities and community colleges throughout the state to turn Ohioans' higher education goals into an affordable reality.

Butler County residents are in a great position to strengthen their careers through education and take full advantage of Chancellor Fingerhut's plan. We are fortunate to have many close-to-home higher education options available to us, including Miami University.

Miami is helping to fulfill the Chancellor's promise of offering high quality associate and bachelor's degrees in core fields within 30 miles of every Ohioan through its three Butler County campuses. The Hamilton and Middletown branches offer extensive evening and weekend classes to help working residents reach their academic potential and have partnered with Sinclair Community College and Cincinnati State and Technical College to increase the variety of programs offered.

We are also working hard to make sure that tuition to these programs is kept affordable. The state has worked to increase funding to universities and created scholarship programs to help offset the costs of higher education. Miami's regional campuses already have among the lowest tuitions for regional campuses across the state, while Miami's Oxford campus offers financial aid including full tuition coverage for Ohio families earning $35,000 or less.

The public is invited to attend a series of Community Conversation forums to learn more about this 10-year strategic plan and its effect on all Ohioans. I encourage you to attend the session from noon to 1:30 p.m. May 22 at the University of Cincinnati. To learn more about this plan, visit www.universitysytem.ohio.gov.

Ohioans deserve the highest quality educational programs at an efficient cost, and through this plan, Ohioans can trust that their universities and elected officials will work to give them every opportunity to achieve their educational dreams.

Gary Cates is the state senator for Ohio's 4th District. To contact his office, call (614) 466-8072 or e-mail SD04@mailr.sen.state.oh.us.

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