Defining the Independent Advantage
Independent colleges share many qualities with public universities, from rigorous academics to vibrant campus communities. Yet, for students who attend independent institutions in Ohio, the experience is shaped by something more distinctive.
OFIC’s 31 member campuses span all across the state of Ohio.
Ohio’s Network of Independent Colleges
The Ohio Foundation of Independent Colleges (OFIC) calls this difference the Independent Advantage; a concept that highlights the personalized education, intentional support, and meaningful opportunities that define independent campuses.
In the words of OFIC president, Bill Spiker, “It’s an awareness and lifting up of independent campuses,” as a manner of making visible what has already been happening within these institutions.
What Sets Independent Campuses Apart
At the core of the Independent Advantage is personalized education, opportunity through scholarships, talent for Ohio and stronger communities. Independent colleges have smaller class sizes for personalized learning, offer tight-knit campus communities that foster closer faculty relationships, and intentional student support. Having these unique elements allows independent colleges to meet students where they are academically, professionally, and personally.
Access That Makes a Difference
While public universities offer wider alumni networks and resources on a larger scale, Spiker emphasized the gap in being able to access them. “They exist differently,” he said. “They’re not always as easy to access.” Independent campuses, however, often provide more direct and immediate access to professional guidance through mentors, internships, and career counseling.
Centering Student Voices
A key part of this initiative is to invite student voices into the narrative so their stories can be shared. “We are trying to articulate the things that make attending an OFIC college an advantage for the student,” said Spiker. With that, students help define this advantage from personal experiences.
OFIC partners with students to share their experiences that reflect how independent colleges shape their academic journeys and career paths, to help them build community. Student experiences help define what the Independent Advantage looks like in reality, not just in theory.
“As far as OFIC’s role,” Spiker shared, “the Independent Advantage allows us to take all those good things happening on our campuses and make others aware of them.”
Independent colleges provide a more intimate experience for their students compared with a larger campus with bigger class sizes.
He said the initiative aligns closely with OFIC’s mission, specifically its theme of evidence in action which means asking how institutions can strengthen and communicate the positive outcomes students gain from independent education. By sharing stories and outcomes more widely, OFIC aims to reach both the general public and audiences who may not yet recognize the benefits of attending an independent college.
Moving Beyond the “Best Kept Secret”
Campuses are often considered the best kept secret, but as part of the Independent Advantage, it is a goal to break away from this narrative. Looking forward, OFIC and its member campuses are focused on amplifying their collective impact, especially when it comes to workforce readiness through internships.
Internships and Workforce Readiness
Spiker referred to OFIC’s October Board of Trustees meeting where significant time was spent discussing internships. He mentioned how internships are a gateway to employment and how the sole focus was not on placement, but rather on quality. Work that is not simply filing things away, but something involved and meaningful.
Spiker highlighted that significant internships are mutually beneficial: students gain real-world skills and insight into their fields, while employers benefit from their engagement and new perspectives.
Why the Independent Advantage Matters
This idea rings true for the college experience overall. Independent education is not something students simply pass through; it is an intentional investment in their academic growth, professional development, and individual success. For OFIC, increasing awareness of this value is essential, not only for students, but for employers asking why they should hire graduates from independent campuses.
A Lasting Impact on Students and Communities
The Independent Advantage represents the unique value Ohio’s independent colleges deliver to students, communities, and employers as a whole. It reflects the holistic impact of an education fueled by scholarships, small campuses, and big opportunities and a commitment to ensuring that these institutions, and the students they serve, are no longer best kept secrets.
