Franklin University

Franklin University
Name	Franklin University
Motto	"Finish First"
Established	1902
Type	Private university
Endowment	(undisclosed)
President	Shanna L. Jaggars
City	Columbus
State	Ohio
Country	United States
Students	~8,000 (undergraduate and graduate)
Campus	Urban
Colors	Blue and White
Nickname	Grizzlies
Website	(official)

Franklin University Franklin University is a private institution in Columbus, Ohio, founded in 1902 to serve working adults and nontraditional learners. It offers undergraduate and graduate programs with a focus on career-oriented degrees, professional development, and online education, and maintains partnerships with employers and accrediting bodies to support workforce needs.

History

Founded in 1902, Franklin University began as a college serving professional adults during the Progressive Era, contemporaneous with institutions such as Columbus College of Art and Design, Ohio State University, and Denison University. Throughout the 20th century it navigated shifts in higher education alongside events like the Great Depression, World War II, and the expansion of federal programs under the Higher Education Act of 1965. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the university expanded online offerings amid trends associated with Massive Open Online Course developments, the rise of Coursera and edX, and evolving accreditation practices by agencies such as the Higher Learning Commission. Institutional leadership changes and strategic plans aligned Franklin with regional workforce initiatives, partnerships with entities like Columbus Chamber of Commerce and local hospital systems, and collaborations with community colleges including Columbus State Community College.

Campus and Facilities

The university's urban campus in downtown Columbus sits near landmarks such as the Ohio Statehouse, Greater Columbus Convention Center, and the Scioto Mile. Facilities include classroom buildings, administrative offices, and centers designed for adult learners, with proximity to corporate partners like Battelle Memorial Institute and Nationwide Insurance headquarters. The campus environment interfaces with local transit systems including Central Ohio Transit Authority routes and is within a metropolitan area serviced by the Port Columbus International Airport. Franklin's campus planning has engaged municipal initiatives from the City of Columbus and regional economic development organizations.

Academics

Franklin offers undergraduate majors, graduate degrees, and certificate programs across career-focused areas such as business, nursing, information technology, cybersecurity, and criminal justice. The university's academic model emphasizes transfer pathways and credit for prior learning, aligning with frameworks from the American Council on Education and articulation agreements similar to those among the University System of Ohio institutions. Programs prepare students for professional certifications from organizations like Project Management Institute, CompTIA, and the National Council Licensure Examination process for nursing. The curriculum development and assessment practices reflect standards of the Higher Learning Commission and professional accrediting bodies relevant to specialized programs.

Student Life

Student services focus on adult and commuter students, offering career counseling, mentoring, and student organizations geared toward professional development. Campus activities intersect with regional cultural venues such as the Ohio Theatre, the Short North Arts District, and civic organizations including the United Way. Student support emphasizes partnerships with local employers, internship placement with firms like Limited Brands and Cardinal Health, and networking facilitated through alumni chapters and professional associations including the Society for Human Resource Management.

Athletics

Franklin University fields athletic teams nicknamed the Grizzlies, competing in sports that provide extracurricular opportunities for students who balance academics and careers. Athletic programming and facilities coordinate with league standards and local recreation providers, and campus teams sometimes engage with intercollegiate events coordinated in the region by organizations akin to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.

Notable Alumni and Faculty

Alumni and faculty have included leaders in business, healthcare, and public service who have connections to institutions and organizations such as Cardinal Health, Nationwide Insurance, Mount Carmel Health System, Ohio Department of Education, and municipal leadership in the City of Columbus. Faculty scholarship and administrative leadership have engaged with statewide initiatives through the Ohio Board of Regents and collaborations with peer institutions like The Ohio State University and Wright State University.

Category:Universities and colleges in Columbus, Ohio