Office Associate Program
Program Overview
The Austin E. Knowlton School of Architecture (KSA) at The Ohio State University partners with the design and building industries to attract and retain exceptional students through the KSA Office Associateship Program. The Program fosters collaboration between the School and the profession through a student sponsorship plan that provides outstanding graduate students with cash stipends and direct exposure to practitioners. The program helps the School to compete with other premier design schools and to act as a catalyst for establishing Ohio as an internationally prominent center of design and planning.
Sponsors are given a special connection to the students (future potential employees) and an intimate knowledge of the professional programs in the School. Sponsors get to know their Student Associate through a reception, meetings throughout the year, and a final banquet.
An Investment in the Future
As educational costs continue to outpace inflation and family resources, it is no surprise that the very best students - especially graduate students - increasingly choose programs by the amount of financial aid a school is able to provide.
The Knowlton School can no longer rely solely on its reputation if it is to attract and retain first-rate graduate students. Talented individuals have the opportunity to choose from schools that can offer multi-year, full support packages to all or most incoming graduate students. Increased private support for Office Associateships will dramatically impact the number of top future professionals who select the Knowlton School for their education.
By becoming a partner in the KSA Office Associateship Program, you can have a direct, positive impact on the Knowlton School and, in turn, on the design and planning professions. Through your generosity, the School will maintain a vibrant graduate student body and provide a steady stream of talent for the design and planning professions.
The Cost of Sponsorship
Sponsors may choose to fund either a Full or a Half Office Associateship.
A Full Office Associateship allows a student to teach or work with a faculty member for 20 hours/week. The student is awarded a full tuition and fee waiver from the School and receives a full cash stipend from their sponsor.
A Half Office Associateship allows a student to teach or work with a faculty member for 10 hours/week. The student is awarded a one-half tuition and fee waiver from the School and receives a one-half cash stipend from their sponsor.
Benefits for the Sponsor
- Giving Forward
- The personal satisfaction that comes from contributing in a meaningful way to the future of the Knowlton School and the design professions.
- Marketing
- Recognition in School publications and at events; increased visibility with the students, faculty, and throughout the University.
- Recruitment
- Acquaintance with the Student Associate and other promising students throughout the year.
- Presidents Club Membership
- Recognition and annual membership in The Ohio State University Presidents Club.
Benefits for the School and Students
- Quality
- The ability to attract and retain exceptional graduate students.
- Mentoring/Networking
- Relationship to a professional firm.
- Financial Aid
- Funding that allows the student to focus on learning, teaching, and research.
- Reduced Student/Faculty Ratios
- Additional graduate associate positions that help the School to maintain a 12:1 student/faculty ratio in the design studios, to offer recitation sections in large lecture classes, and to provide support for the KSA.
Please take this opportunity to become a partner in educational excellence. For further information, please contact:
Becky Lonardo
614-247-5409
lonardo.9@osu.edu