By Cole Hatcher, OWU
The Ohio State University Max M. Fisher College of Business and Ohio Wesleyan University (OWU) have announced a new strategic partnership designed to expand access to graduate business education for OWU students and alumni. This collaboration underscores both institutions’ shared commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and lifelong learning.
The partnership provides OWU students and graduates with streamlined access to seven of Fisher’s highly-ranked graduate business programs, including the Full-Time Master of Business Administration (FTMBA), Master of Accounting, Master of Human Resource Management, Master of Supply Chain Management, Specialized Master in Business – Analytics, Specialized Master in Finance, and the Working Professional MBA program.
“We are pleased to establish this partnership with Ohio Wesleyan University, an institution that shares our dedication to developing leaders who are equipped with the skills, perspectives, and experiences that today’s workforce demands,” said Brian Mittendorf, associate dean for graduate programs at Fisher. “By creating a direct pathway to our graduate programs, we are removing barriers and empowering talented OWU students and alumni to advance their careers through high-impact, graduate business education.”
Eligible students and alumni will experience a more seamless graduate application process, including reduced barriers to applying, early engagement with the admissions process, faster decisions, and enhanced opportunities for funding consideration based on eligibility.
“This innovative partnership creates an expansive, robust pathway to Fisher College of Business for our OWU network,” said Dale Brugh, interim provost. “It exemplifies Ohio Wesleyan’s commitment to ensuring our students and alumni have access to world-class graduate programs that build on their undergraduate experience.”
The partnership emphasizes meaningful student engagement and personalized support through events at both universities, enabling OWU students and alumni to experience the Fisher academic environment firsthand. Prospective graduate students also will be connected with a Fisher admissions recruiter who will serve as a primary point of contact throughout the application process.
“This collaboration is about more than admissions — it’s about building a bridge between two institutions that value student success and continuous learning,” Mittendorf said. “We are excited to welcome OWU students into our community and support their academic and professional growth.”
The partnership, one of a series planned with local colleges and universities, reflects a mutual commitment to ensuring that business education continues to drive workforce and talent development in central Ohio and beyond.
For more information about this partnership and available programs, prospective students are encouraged to connect with Fisher College of Business admissions at fishergrad@fisher.osu.edu.
Photo: Courtyard, Fisher College of Business, OSU
Robert Chriss, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
