EDITOR’S NOTE: This is one in a series looking at what Northeast Ohio communities, institutions and agencies experienced in 2024 and what is facing them in 2025. Cuyahoga Community College, commonly referred to as Tri-C, achieved a “historic milestone” this fall with the launch of the school’s first bachelor’s degree, a bachelor of applied science in integrated digital manufacturing engineering technology. According to officials, the new program will equip students with the skills needed for the future of manufacturing — particularly in the “smart manufacturing” field, which emphasizes improving productivity, safety, efficiency and quality through automation and advanced technologies. Moreover, the program combines expertise in automated systems, engineering and industrial information technology to address the “growing demand for skilled workers in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.” Tri-C Public Relations Manager Anthony Moujaes added that while the college saw many bright spots in 2024, including enrollment growth for five straight semesters — with short-term credential programs up 12 percent compared to the fall of 2023 — the degree program stands firm. “With more than 14,000 manufacturing companies statewide and more than 6,000 in Northeast Ohio, the region faces a shortage of qualified professionals to implement modern manufacturing technologies,” he said. “Tri-C aims to fill this gap by offering students a broad, interdisciplinary education that will prepare them for roles in the growing field while also addressing challenges such as cybersecurity and cloud security in manufacturing environments.” Moujaes said the college also continued building its partnership with the Cleveland Metropolitan School District by creating a seamless high-school-to-college transition that guarantees every CMSD student has equal access to higher education. “Through the Direct Admission Partnership, students are automatically admitted to Tri-C during the fall of their senior year,” he added. “Both institutions will focus on equity, simplicity and inclusivity to deliver clear communication and streamlined processes, breaking down barriers to applying to college.” Additionally, the partnership ensures that graduating students have a clear pathway to higher education and helps them stay on track to achieve their educational goals by: • Removing traditional barriers to higher education, such as application fees and complex applications • Simplifying the admissions process through the efficient use of shared data to eliminate unnecessary steps • Providing personalized resources, such as advising, wraparound services and financial aid workshops • Empowering students and families by providing information about financial aid, enrollment steps and affordability Tri-C also launched a new model for college in July with a new approach that will allow students to break free from the traditional higher-education model. Moujaes noted that this approach gives students options that better align with their lives, primarily through simplified that make it easier for students to navigate and control their destinies. “College leaders gathered input from students, staff, faculty and representatives of the Northeast Ohio business community and three themes emerged, which shaped Tri-C’s model — to build a culture of clarity, improve the student experience and strengthen our value proposition,” he said. “Since navigating higher education can be overwhelming, particularly for first-generation students and adults returning to school, we sought to make improvements that begin with basic student processes that extend to the college’s overarching academic structure,” Moujaes added. “Tri-C envisions itself as a lifelong learning partner for upskilling and advanced credentials that students can visit and revisit throughout their careers,” he said. “One of the biggest challenges in higher education is understanding that the traditional ways that it has operated, such as two 16-week semesters and a summer session, won’t serve our students in the way that they need.” Moujaes added that higher education, overall, has been in transition since before the pandemic with steadily declining enrollment. “The novel coronavirus wasn’t just the tipping point, it was the flashpoint for institutions like Tri-C to re-evaluate how we meet students where they are,” he emphasized. “We’re always looking to remove barriers to higher education and provide Northeast Ohioans with opportunities for economic mobility, now and in the future.” As a result, the school’s “financial health” is in a good position, with a balanced budget, which allows college leadership to continue their focus on efficient business practices that allow the redirection of resources to areas that support student success. Moujaes added that Tri-C’s fiscal year 2024 budget (July 2023 – June 2024) was approved in May 2023 and projected for $244.67 million in total revenue. The FY 2025 budget, he said, is projected for $266.63 million in total revenue and was approved by the college board of trustees in the spring. “The majority of the revenue increase is funding from the passage of the November 2023, 2.1-mill renewal levy, with a 0.4-mill increase,” he said. “Thanks to strong fiscal stewardship and accountability, Tri-C provides a return of $11.80 in benefits to society for every $1 invested in the school.