UD awarded $254,000 grant to bolster co-op, internship opportunities for engineering students

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) - A $253,995 grant from the state of Ohio will be used to provide more real-world work opportunities for University of Dayton and Sinclair Community College

The grant awarded to UD's School of Engineering will fund up to 20 new engineering co-op positions with aerospace, additive manufacturing and energy companies among JobsOhio target industries, according to Nancy Forthofer, director of the School of Engineering's cooperative education office.

"Our students have expressed a high interest in working in these areas and this grant allows us to expand those opportunities," Forthofer said. "We hope these lead to full-time jobs. The initiative is to get students working in Ohio and staying in Ohio."

The School of Engineering hopes to add co-op positions with other industry partners, according to John Weber, associate dean of the School of Engineering. The program also includes students from Sinclair Community College's Engineering University Transfer Program, which allows students to transfer to the University of Dayton after two years at Sinclair.

The allocation is contingent on approval by the State of Ohio Controlling Board in January.