Cincinnati State Technical & Community College is expected to receive $123,000 from the state to develop new co-op opportunities in the city, and strengthen existing college-wide experiential learning programs.

The funds are part of a statewide initiative from the Ohio Higher Ed department designed to promote co-op and internship opportunities at the state’s colleges and universities. The state is investing $11 million from casino license fees with matching funds coming from employers, including Cincinnati-based Procter & Gamble.

“This is a win for students across Ohio, and especially for ours in the Middletown area,” said Cincinnati State President Dr. O’dell Owens.

The funds still need the approval of the State of Ohio Controlling Board, which is scheduled to consider the request in January. Nine other community colleges and 13 public and private universities have been awarded funding, according to the Ohio Board of Regents.

Undergraduate programs are required to match the state funds 100 percent with private funds. State officials estimate this initiative will create as many as 1,500 co-op and internship positions.

Owens said the college believes in a “earn as you learn” philosophy, and the value of on-the-job experience has been proven time after time during the past four decades.

Cincinnati State claims to have one of the country’s largest cooperative education programs.

The college’s share of the state funds will help build the co-op internship programs infrastructure at the downtown Middletown campus, university officials said.

The proposal that earned the $123,000 grant “has long-term sustainability and economic impact,” said Monica Posey, Cincinnati State academic vice president.

“Providing employer training, developing new positions, and enhancing our infrastructure will benefit current and future students,” she said.