Best of CASE District V Award
 

Institution: Miami University

Title of entry: Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub - A Case for Support

About this entry: The Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub (AM Hub) case for support was created in August 2025 to articulate the vision, value, and urgency of a first-of-its-kind partnership among Miami University, Butler Tech, Butler County, and the City of Hamilton. The primary audiences were major donors, corporate partners, and public-sector stakeholders with an interest in workforce development, economic competitiveness, and applied learning.

Strategically, the goal was to position the AM Hub as both a regional workforce solution and a compelling philanthropic investment — one that connects high school education, higher education, and industry in a single, scalable ecosystem. To achieve this, the piece blends economic context, community impact data, student pathways, and partner voices into a clear narrative arc: why advanced manufacturing matters now, how Miami and its partners are responding, and where private support can accelerate outcomes.

The associate director of content developed the content by synthesizing institutional priorities, partner input, workforce data, and program details into donor-centered language that balances vision with specificity. The design and structure were intentionally modular, allowing the case for support to function as a print piece, leave-behind, or briefing tool.

The case for support has supported fundraising conversations, strengthened alignment among internal and external stakeholders, and helped elevate the AM Hub as a signature example of Miami University’s applied, community-engaged mission — advancing both philanthropic outcomes and institutional reputation. The material has also helped generate enthusiasm and increase attendance for the facility’s February 2026 grand opening event.