TRI - C
TIMES ®
FEEDING A NEED Culinary students deliver for a Cleveland hunger center (P23)
DETERMINED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
IN THIS ISSUE P6:
2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE P14:
P24:
NURSING PROGRAM WINS NATIONAL AWARD
A SOCIOLOGIST’S VIEW ON SOCIAL JUSTICE
A PUBLICATION OF CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
FALL 2020
Get training for in-demand careers
Gain skills in manufacturing/engineering technology.
• Affordable • Virtual/online offerings
• Safe, on-site labs • Apprenticeship/ internship options
• Degree/certifcate programs • Credits transfer
MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGY A TRI-C® CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
tri-c.edu/mtc 20-0785
PRESIDENT’S Message
TO OUR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS, Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) is fortunate to have a true mosaic of people who contribute daily to create a dynamic and rewarding learning and working environment. The diverse perspectives of our students, faculty and staff enrich not only the Tri-C community, but society as a whole. Never has this been more important than in 2020 — the year a global pandemic changed the way people around the world live, work and learn; the year issues of racial and social justice brought Americans of all colors and circumstances together to continue the enduring fight toward equality. Thanks to a strongly developed culture of continuous improvement, our College community has risen to these challenges with commitment, skill and passion. The special State of the College feature starting on page 6 outlines what Tri-C has done over the past year to improve the lives of its students and the Northeast Ohio community. We have taken extraordinary steps to meet the challenges of these trying times.
THE DEDICATED WORK OF MY COLLEAGUES AND THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE COLLEGE’S MISSION ARE AN INSPIRATION TO ME. I BELIEVE YOU’LL FEEL THE SAME AFTER READING ABOUT THEIR EFFORTS. Beyond the State of the College report, this issue also highlights Tri-C family members making a difference in their unique ways, whether it’s teaching others to see the world from a different perspective, helping those in need or expanding Cleveland’s rich history of immigration. In addition, you’ll learn about two College programs — nursing and paralegal studies — that are redefining their fields in unexpected ways. At Tri-C, diverse experiences and perspectives make us what we are — a safe, open and inclusive learning and working environment that supports every person who comes through our doors. Please join me in celebrating what our commitment to diversity helped us to accomplish over this unprecedented year.
Sincerely,
Alex Johnson, Ph.D. President
FALL 2020
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IN THIS ISSUE:
16
28 20
EDITOR
John Horton MANAGING EDITOR
Jarrod Zickefoose COPY EDITOR
Beth Cieslik WRITERS
Erik Cassano Beth Cieslik John Horton Jarrod Zickefoose PHOTOGRAPHERS
TABLE of CONTENTS President’s Message.......................... 3 Upfront.............................................. 5 State of the College........................... 6 Nursing Program Honor......................14 Alumni Profile: Jenika Gonzalez..........16 Alumni Notes....................................19 Legal Eagles.....................................20 Feeding a Need.................................23
Jason Miller Victoria Stanbridge Cody York
Faculty Profile: Michael Flatt...............24
DESIGNER
One Last Thing..................................30
Voting: Ask Every Student..................27 Student Profile: Dana Burtin...............28
FAL
Eric Wheeler
FOLLOW TRI-C Tri-C Times is published by Cuyahoga Community College’s Integrated Communications department for its friends and constituents. Feedback and story ideas are welcome. Send correspondence to Tri-C Times, 2500 E. 22nd St., Cleveland, OH 44115; call 216-987-4322; or email editorial@tri-c.edu. 4
TRI-C TIMES
Upfront FINDING NEW FRONTIERS Denise McCory joined Cuyahoga Community College in 2001 as a national trainer for NASA’s Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA). Today, as the new Metropolitan Campus president, she continues to push students to reach for the stars. McCory was appointed to the position in October. “My focus has always been on building a can-do attitude on campus,” she said. “Tri-C offers life-changing opportunities for our students. The key is to inspire them to find that success.”
HEROES ON THE HIGHWAY Tri-C is working to put veterans in the driver’s seat. The College was one of only 20 technical and community colleges across the country awarded federal dollars this year to train veterans or their spouses for jobs as commercial bus and truck drivers. The funding comes via a training grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Tri-C’s Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) program holds classes at the Transportation Innovation Center in Euclid.
LL 2020 GAINING LAURELS A short film created by the Tri-C Film Academy has been screened by more than two dozen film festivals across the United States and beyond. Twenty-six festival laurels and multiple awards now fill the poster for The Simple Path, shot as part of a five-week intensive film crew training program at the College. The film also claimed a handful of festival awards and nominations. Students who worked on the set received a paycheck and film credit to build their resume.
FALL 2020
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2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE
2020 TESTED THE RESOLVE OF THE COLLEGE AND COMMUNITY. WE BEGIN A NEW YEAR READY TO BUILD ON THE STRENGTHS WE DEVELOPED.
Challenges defined the past year. Uncertainties gripped the calendar seemingly from the first days of 2020 until we turned the page into December. A global pandemic left its deadly mark while shattering the norms of daily life. Unemployment numbers surged to record levels in a lurching economy. An awakening to the ongoing threat of systemic racism fueled social unrest and launched a much-needed national conversation. It was, in the simplest of descriptions, a difficult year.
BY
President Alex Johnson Jason Miller
PHOTOS BY
6
TRI-C TIMES
2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE
Yet difficulties create opportunities, and the work done at the College and in the community to overcome obstacles has made us stronger. We end 2020 more determined than ever in our work to build toward a better future. At Tri-C, our mission is to provide access to education and a better way of life. We know that Northeast Ohio needs the College to be at its best right now and take the lead on addressing the issues of our time. That is a responsibility we gladly accept. Here is how we’re working toward success. As the 2019-2020 academic year ended, Tri-C reported a three-year graduation rate that set a new benchmark for the institution. The College’s rate climbed to a record 23.6% while continuing a positive trend that has stretched for nearly a decade. Improving this federally tracked measure has been a point of focus at Tri-C. (See chart on page 10.) The reason is simple: The success of our students in attaining associate degrees reflects the success of the institution in meeting its mission.
Today, students enrolling at the College are more than five times more likely to earn a degree within three years than a student who registered for classes in 2010. It’s now routine at Tri-C for more than 4,000 students a year to earn the title of “college graduate.” A decade ago, the count of students enjoying cap-and-gown moments sat in the 2000s. (See chart on page 10.) Building on this positive trend during the COVID-19 outbreak reveals the drive and determination of our students, as well as the faculty and staff who are committed to supporting their journey. Academic success and excellence stand as an unwavering goal. As the coronavirus crisis forced a shift to remote instruction in the spring and summer of 2020, the College established processes and programs to serve students in different ways as they continued working toward degrees and certificates.
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2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE
Examples include: •
An unprecedented expansion of virtual learning that moved nearly 2,500 Tri-C courses to an online format in a two-week span. This quick response allowed learning to continue without interruption.
• The distribution of more than a thousand computers to students who needed the technology to transition to online learning. These free devices bridged the digital divide to keep students moving ahead in their studies. • Faculty and staff making tens of thousands of phone calls to personally connect with students as they worked away from campus. Each of these actions and countless more played a critical role in students staying on course as COVID-19 upended daily life. As a College community, we persevered in the face of adversity. This continued during fall semester as students returned to campus on a limited basis. By following safety protocols, such as wearing masks and maintaining social distancing, we collectively worked to keep the virus from spreading while reopening classroom and labs.
Hundreds of people took advantage of the testing program, which was available to Tri-C students, faculty and staff in addition to community members. Did any of this feel normal? Of course not. But it was necessary to achieve this result: A year-end virtual commencement ceremony celebrating thousands of students who earned the right to be called Tri-C graduates. These degrees ultimately bolster lives and families, paying off in better jobs and higher wages that stabilize households. On average, college graduates with associate degrees earn an additional $5,000 per year compared to someone who stopped their education after high school. Tri-C graduates also add to the collective strength of Northeast Ohio’s workforce, which has trailed much of the nation in degree attainment. Every commencement improves our regional resume, adding to the pool of skilled workers businesses need to thrive in an evolving economy. Despite the gains, though, work remains to be done. A skills gap still exists in Greater Cleveland, particularly with in-demand jobs in large fields such as health care, information technology and advanced manufacturing. Tri-C has taken a lead role in building regional employment pipelines through the Workforce Connect Healthcare Sector Partnership. A primary goal of the project is to create opportunities for local residents to pursue careers with family-sustaining wages.
Tri-C also brought free COVID-19 testing onto its campuses, partnering with Care Alliance Health Center on the project. Testing rotated between the College’s four campuses every Thursday from late August through mid-November.
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TRI-C TIMES
Steps toward a solution often come down to one word: access.
2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE
Tri-C’s tuition rate remained the lowest in Ohio last year, a designation that helps put higher education within financial reach for many students. Cost should not be an obstacle for those committed to building a better life through knowledge.
And even as COVID-19 prevented in-person programming at the Access Centers, the College pivoted to offer an online workforce success course to maintain momentum for the program.
For those who still needed assistance, the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation provided more help than ever before. The Foundation awarded a record amount of scholarships over the past year to high-achieving students. (See chart on page 11.)
Look for more steps forward in the coming year as the Access Centers operate as one of three interrelated programs under the College’s new Institute for Community Engagement and Development.
Connecting residents to the life-changing opportunities available at the College stands as a priority. To that end, Tri-C Access Centers continued to expand their reach into core communities where poverty’s grip squeezes tightly. Tri-C Access Centers bring education and job training programs into Cleveland neighborhoods through collaborations with community partners. Three centers currently welcome those looking for a better future. A fourth is in the works.
The Institute formed to provide pathways out of poverty for underserved populations by connecting them to education, training and jobs through community and business partnerships. By design, it will reduce barriers by bringing College resources into the community. In addition to the Access Centers, the Institute will oversee: • Community Partners — Alliances that bring educational and workforce programming into community-based settings • Community Training and Jobs — Partnerships with local businesses to train the current workforce and connect community members to jobs in their neighborhoods
Tri-C Access Center hosts include Esperanza Inc. (shown below); The MetroHealth System; and Olivet Housing and Community Development Corp.(OHCDC), an arm of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. OHCDC is partnering with Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority at its site.
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2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE
DEGREES & CERTIFICATES
IPEDS The federal government measures success rates in higher education through the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). The system tracks how many first-time, full-time community college students earn an associate degree within three years of enrollment. After years of growth, Tri-C’s IPEDS rate now exceeds the national average for community colleges in urban settings.
Tri-C launched multiple programs in recent years with one goal in mind: creating clearer pathways to commencement for students. The efforts brought immediate results, with graduation rates climbing to record highs.
Degrees and certificates awarded by academic year
Tri-C’s IPEDS graduation rate by year of initial enrollment 23.7% 20.9% 19% 15.2%
15%
12.8% 9.3%
10% 5%
4.5%
4,296
2018-2019
25% 20%
4,201
2019-2020
5.2%
2010- 2011- 2012- 2013- 2014- 2015- 2016- 20172013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
4,318
2016-2017 3,806
2015-2016 2014-2015
4,309
2013-2014 2012-2013 2011-2012
0%
4,449
2017-2018
2010-2011
3,660 3,015 2,669 2,760
2,000 2,500 3,000 3,500 4,000 4,500 10
TRI-C TIMES
2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE
Peaceful protesters took to the streets of Cleveland and other cities across the nation to express outrage and draw attention to the issue.
Plans call for the Institute’s first job hub to be with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. The College will help the agency recruit new employees, upskill current workers and enhance leadership teams.
At times, emotions flared. Violence and destruction sometimes followed.
The intent is to connect more individuals to the academic and career resources they need to achieve prosperity for themselves and their families.
It’s clear that difficult conversations need to take place to mend our nation and community. These discussions need to take place within a framework of civility for the healing to begin. As an institution, we want to lead this effort and serve as agents of change.
Basically, the Institute embodies Tri-C’s role as “the community’s college.” So does another effort that launched in 2020. Troubling events over the past year awakened many to the concept of systemic racism and bias. A movement began, fueled by the senseless deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others.
SCHOLARSHIPS Scholarships help turn students into graduates and dreams into success stories. Over the past decade, Tri-C and the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation have awarded more than $23.3 million in scholarships to nearly 23,000 individuals. These dollars represent an investment in the future of Northeast Ohio. To join the growing list of donors contributing to student success at the College, visit tri-c.edu/give.
$3
$3.3 M
2,807
$3.2 M 2,387
2,220
$4 $3.5
$2.5
$1.7 M
$1.5 M
2,043
2,071 $1.3 M
1,460
$1.7 M
$1.4 M
1,500
1,857
2,000
2,233
2,500
$2.4 M
2,609
3,000
$2.9 M
3,500
$3.9 M
n Scholarship dollars disbursed (in millions) 3,134
n Number of scholarships awarded
$2 $1.5
1,000
$1 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016 2016-2017 2017-2018 2019-2020 2019-2020 FALL 2020
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2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE
Tri-C’s Stand for Racial Justice alliance seeks to advance racial equity and healing at the College and across Northeast Ohio through education, dialogue and action. We stand committed to reconciling the facts of race in America in a spirit of inquiry rather than indoctrination. More than 600 community members took part in the first Stand for Racial Justice program in September. The virtual event featured Tim Wise, one of America’s leading writers and educators on race and racism, and a panel of local business leaders.
The county committed funding for Tri-C to provide training sessions for 2,500 sworn police officers within Cuyahoga County. The program represents the county’s response to protests following the death of George Floyd.
THE COLOR OF LAW:
Wednesday, Race, Racism and Public Policy in America Sept. 16, 3:30-5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, 11:00 a.m.-12:20 p.m. | via livestream
A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
Save the date to a attend a special event featuring Tim Wise, one of America’s leading anti-racist educators, followed by a panel discussion with local executives. Join the conversation to learn how we can come together to stand for racial justice in our community.
Free and open to the public
Live via Webex (link to come)
20-0724
The 90-minute presentation remains available for viewing at livestream.com/tri-c/wise916. As we enter 2021, Tri-C will work to find meaningful ways to engage the community and bring people together on this issue. We need solutions. Together, we will find them. Some of that work is also taking place at Tri-C’s Public Safety Center of Excellence. The College is partnering with Cuyahoga County to provide countywide police officer training with an emphasis on de-escalation techniques, understanding law enforcement’s role in mass gatherings and protests, mitigating bias in police work, and building trust within the community.
The goal of the training is simple: Take policing to a higher level and help officers serve the community in the best way possible. In the end, that objective — serving the community in the best way possible — guides everything we do at the College. It is the idea that powers our days and fills our minds with limitless possibilities. The upcoming year will no doubt test us all as we continue to emerge from the tumult of 2020. Tri-C stands ready to take action and lead conversations that will result in meaningful and lasting change for the better. We cannot rest until we meet these challenges. That is a promise that this College and its faculty and staff make to the community. It is what drives us in our mission to serve Northeast Ohio.
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TRI-C TIMES
2021 STATE OF THE COLLEGE
That’s why, when looking ahead to 2021, reasons for optimism abound. As president of Cuyahoga Community College, I know the dedication, talent and tireless work ethic of each and every person at this institution. They bring a passion to their jobs. Higher education is their calling. As a group, they cannot be deterred. Likewise, I know the resolve of the people who call this region home. This is a community that prides itself on overcoming whatever obstacles appear on the path ahead. Confidence shines in the eyes of our students and graduates. They come to Tri-C looking for a better future, and they leave our campuses with the knowledge and skills to find success and meet their long-term goals.
TRANSFERS The journey to advanced college degrees often begins at Tri-C. In a recently tracked three-year period, more than 40,000 students benefited from the convenience and low cost of a Tri-C education before transferring to a four-year institution.
More than 85% of our graduates live and work in Northeast Ohio. They serve as a foundation for progress, adding strength and stability to the better tomorrow that we are building day by day.
Top transfer destinations for Tri-C students include: Cleveland State University
5,507
Kent State University
3,674
The Ohio State University
That is the story of the College. At Tri-C, we are determined to work with our community to make a difference … and we will.
2,410
University of Akron
2,073
Ohio University
2,060
Baldwin Wallace University
1,451
Bowling Green State University
970
John Carroll University
835
University of Cincinnati
834
Case Western Reserve University
728 0
1,000 2,000 3,000 4,000 5,000 6,000
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Danielle Gibson knew she had the brains for a career in health care. What wasn’t obvious, though, was how she’d find a way into the high-wage, high-demand profession. Doors to jobs in hospitals don’t just open for girls growing up on Cleveland’s east side. “These sort of careers aren’t put in front of kids from the inner city,” Gibson said. “They’re not presented as options.”
Gibson is one of seven outstanding Tri-C students selected as a Siemens Technical Scholar as part of the award. Each student received a scholarship. (See box on page 15.)
That’s a reality shared by millions of Americans — particularly women, people of color and those from lower-income communities who have historically been underrepresented within STEM fields.
“Removing barriers for those who are under-resourced and underrepresented in higher education is a priority at Tri-C,” Johnson said. “We strive to create pathways to higher-income jobs and a stable future for those who need it most.”
Change is coming, however, through award-winning programs at Cuyahoga Community College and other two-year schools.
U.S. employment in STEM fields is projected to grow at almost double the rate of non-STEM occupations. More than half of all STEM jobs across the United States require no more than an associate degree and pay wages that average more than $50,000 annually.
This past fall, Tri-C’s nursing program won a coveted Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM Award. The award is given out every two years by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and the Siemens Foundation. Eight colleges across the country earned 2020-2021 honors, which recognize: • Outstanding preparation and training for high-demand jobs in advanced manufacturing, energy, health care or information technology • Intentional outreach and support of diverse populations that typically are underrepresented in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math — commonly referred to as STEM
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Tri-C President Alex Johnson called it an honor to be among the recipients. He said the College is committed to opening opportunities for students like Gibson, who expects to graduate from the Nursing Center of Excellence in December.
TRI-C TIMES
Tri-C and others honored with the Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM Award play a critical role in working to meet this demand, particularly when it comes to reaching populations underrepresented in STEM fields. “Success often begins with the belief in what’s possible, particularly for those feeling the weight of socioeconomic determinants,” said Wendy Batch-Wilson, Tri-C’s dean of nursing. “Supports within our nursing program — including peer mentoring by those who have already completed the journey — help build confidence for students to achieve and advance in the profession.”
CHANGING THE FACE OF THE STEM WORKFORCE STORY BY
TRI-C NURSING PROGRAM WINS NATIONAL AWARD FOR BUILDING CAREER PATHWAYS THAT BENEFIT DIVERSE POPULATIONS UNDERREPRESENTED IN THE FIELD
John Horton
Student recruitment for the nursing program aligns with Tri-C initiatives centered on access. The College recognizes the unique equity challenges facing its diverse community and continually works to strengthen support systems to help students achieve. There are currently more than 800 students enrolled in Tri-C’s nursing program. Last year, data showed that 97% of Tri-C nursing graduates were hired as registered nurses within six to nine months after earning their associate degree. Gibson is among those next in line to add to the list of success stories. “It hasn’t been easy, and there are times I wanted to give up,” said the 28-year-old mother of three. “But I had a fire in my belly. I wasn’t going to stop until I made it.”
“REMOVING BARRIERS FOR THOSE WHO ARE UNDER-RESOURCED AND UNDERREPRESENTED IN HIGHER EDUCATION IS A PRIORITY AT TRI-C. WE STRIVE TO CREATE PATHWAYS TO HIGHER-INCOME JOBS AND A STABLE FUTURE FOR THOSE WHO NEED IT MOST.”
SIEMENS TECHNICAL SCHOLARS As part of the Excellence and Equity in Community College STEM Award, Tri-C — in partnership with the Aspen Institute — selected seven students to be recognized as Siemens Technical Scholars. Each received a scholarship of $3,500 to $4,000. This diverse group will also share their stories with their peers to demonstrate the economic opportunity available in STEM careers. The College’s Siemens Technical Scholars are Sara Alnaasan of North Olmsted; Ariel Austin of Cleveland Heights; Nadirah Brown of Cleveland; Diamond Frizzell of Bedford Heights; Danielle Gibson of Cleveland; James Hatano of Lakewood; and Kelly Jones of South Euclid.
—Alex Johnson, President, Cuyahoga Community College
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TRI-C ALUMNI PROFILE
A RISK WORTH TAKING
AFTER LEAVING THE PHILIPPINES IN 2006, TRI-C ALUMNA JENIKA GONZALES FOLLOWED A PATH MIRRORING THAT OF MANY IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE SOUGHT A NEW LIFE IN THE UNITED STATES
STORY BY
Erik Cassano Victoria Stanbridge
PHOTOS BY
16
TRI-C TIMES
TRI-C ALUMNI PROFILE
“THE DIFFERENCE IN CULTURE WAS THE BIGGEST THING FOR ME. YOU CAN’T HELP BUT FEEL ISOLATED IN A NEW PLACE.” —Jenika Gonzales, Class of 2013
After graduating from high school in 2008, Gonzales enrolled at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Though she knew she wanted to study graphic design, she still wanted to explore different career paths. However, the tuition cost soon made it impractical. She had to leave after one academic year. “My mom was honest with me — things were getting too expensive,” Gonzales said. “So I had to come back to Parma and consider more cost-effective options.”
WHAT IS IT LIKE TO RISK EVERYTHING TO START A NEW LIFE IN A NEW COUNTRY? Jenika Gonzales is part of a fast-growing number of Americans who can answer that question. Gonzales, a 2013 graduate of Cuyahoga Community College, came to the United States from the Philippines in 2006 — one of the estimated 1 million immigrants who arrive in the country annually. Her mother, Belina Joacabine, immigrated to the United States in the late 1990s, living in Los Angeles before moving to Cleveland to help take care of a family member. Gonzales experienced major culture shock when she joined her mother in the cold-weather Midwestern city, with its relatively small Filipino population. “The difference in culture was the biggest thing for me,” she said. “You can’t help but feel isolated in a new place. I came from a big house with a large family in the Philippines to living in an apartment with my mom in Parma.”
She enrolled at Tri-C in 2010. Initially, she considered Tri-C a stopgap until she could decide on her next steps. But once she began attending classes, she stopped thinking of Tri-C as a bridge and began thinking of it as her foundation. “There were so many different options,” she said. “I could pursue a well-rounded education at Tri-C that went beyond just graphic design classes. I came in thinking it would be a temporary thing, but it really became my launching pad.” By the time she graduated from Tri-C in 2013 with an Associate of Arts degree, Gonzales had taken classes in marketing, photography and app design. She also found connections and support that helped her launch her career post-graduation. “One thing I’ve learned since coming to the U.S., and it’s something Tri-C helped reinforce, is that you should work hard to connect with people,” she said. “Never take anyone for granted. I still talk to people I know from high school, Tri-C and the different jobs I’ve worked. You never know how they can help you, or you can help them.”
Almost immediately, Gonzales — 14 at the time — had to adjust to a new life on the other side of the world. The only way to overcome the initial intimidation was to meet it head-on. She enrolled at Normandy High School, taking every opportunity to meet people, make friends and integrate herself into the community. While at Normandy, she began taking art and design classes, which quickly became her passion. Soon, she began thinking about a career in graphic design. FALL 2020
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TRI-C ALUMNI PROFILE
THINKING GLOBALLY Since graduating from Tri-C, Gonzales has built her resume as a graphic designer through a variety of jobs and freelance work, including work for architectural firms and for Market Garden Brewery.
States. The dinners raised more than $6,000, allowing 11 additional family members — including her siblings and their spouses and children — to begin writing their own American story.
It was through connections in the community that she learned of a designer opening at Global Cleveland, a nonprofit that seeks to aid newcomers and immigrants on the same journey Gonzales took 14 years ago. She was hired by Global Cleveland earlier this year.
“My oldest brother is in the Navy, living in Virginia Beach,” she said. “My niece lives in the Cleveland area and is now at Tri-C, studying to become a nurse. Everybody is building a life for themselves here. It’s wonderful to see.”
“It was a great fit for me,” she said. “I can do what I love while making an impact for people who are just arriving in Cleveland from abroad.” Gonzales is familiar with the grassroots support Global Cleveland provides for immigrants. In 2018, she hosted a series of fundraising dinners to help cover the paperwork cost of moving much of the rest of her family to the United
Gonzales, now 29, became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2016. “It’s hard to put everything on the line and move to a new country thousands of miles away, but we feel like we are lucky to have this chance,” Gonzales said. “I’m here, with a career, doing what I love to do. That’s what everybody in this country is seeking.”
Learn more about Global Cleveland’s mission at globalcleveland.org. View more examples of Jenika Gonzales’ graphic design work at jenikagonzales.com.
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TRI-C TIMES
TRI-C ALUMNI NOTES
JENIKA’S DESIGNS
Melanie Tapajna Class of 2018
Melanie Tapajna and her husband didn’t jet off on a honeymoon after saying “I do” during the COVID-19 outbreak, but the story of their wedding traveled the world. The newlyweds generated international headlines after donating food from their canceled wedding reception to a Cleveland crisis center. The Parma couple even helped serve the meals while dressed in their wedding attire. Millions learned of their generosity as the story was shared by news shows such as Good Morning America and Today.
Harry Quiñones Class of 2019
An idea that started in a small-business management class at Tri-C began welcoming customers this fall. Harry Quiñones opened a bodega at 6105 Memphis Ave. to share his Hispanic heritage and pride. “The journey started in my Tri-C class,” said Quiñones, who is now working toward a business degree at Cleveland State University. His bodega concept was a winner at a 2019 business pitch competition at CSU. Quiñones lives in Cleveland. FALL 2020
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LEGAL EAGLES
20
TRI-C TIMES
TRI-C’S PARALEGAL STUDIES PROGRAM IS A FIRST STEP FOR MANY FUTURE LAWYERS PRE-LAW. LAW SCHOOL. They’re terms that evoke images of old schools with venerable names. Libraries with tall windows and large wooden tables. Shelves with books full of precedent-setting cases and centuries of legal theory. But if that’s your sole view of a modern law education, you should take another look. Many students are discovering unconventional ways to pave their path to law school. The Paralegal Studies program at Cuyahoga Community College is one of them. How can a paralegal program set the stage for an eventual career as an attorney? Simply put, it’s all about practical knowledge and experience. “A paralegal is sort of the law equivalent to a nurse practitioner,” said Candice Storey, director of Tri-C’s Paralegal Studies program. “They act as the attorney’s right-hand person. Under the supervision of an attorney, paralegals may perform a variety of tasks historically performed by attorneys, including drafting complaints, corresponding with clients and legal research.” Though paralegals handle many duties, Storey notes that attorneys must still be the ones to give legal advice, set legal fees, accept new clients and represent clients in court.
The Tri-C Paralegal Studies program offers a two-year associate degree and a one-year post-degree certificate track. Both paths prepare students for paralegal careers, but some graduates may choose to enter a pre-law bachelor’s degree program or even jump straight into law school — depending on their prior postsecondary education. Students in Tri-C’s program must take two semesters of legal research and writing, along with courses that emphasize communication skills, legal technology and critical thinking. Prior to receiving their degree or certificate, students must also complete a practicum in a legal office, such as a private law firm, legal department of a company or public defender’s office. Jodi Baron, a 2017 graduate of the Tri-C program, said her practicum at the Office of the Federal Public Defender in Cleveland played a big role in her interest in litigation. “Tri-C’s program is well-known within the community,” said Baron, 57, of Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood. “They have a great reputation, so when Candice [Storey] told the public defender’s office that they had someone interested in doing their practicum there, they didn’t blink. They knew I had the background necessary to work there.” Baron, who decided to pursue a law education after years in the sales field, began classes at the University of Akron School of Law in 2020.
“THEY ACT AS THE ATTORNEY’S RIGHT-HAND PERSON. UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF AN ATTORNEY, PARALEGALS MAY PERFORM A VARIETY OF TASKS HISTORICALLY PERFORMED BY ATTORNEYS, INCLUDING DRAFTING COMPLAINTS, CORRESPONDING WITH CLIENTS AND LEGAL RESEARCH.” —Candice Storey, Director, Paralegal Studies STORY BY
Erik Cassano Cody York
PHOTOS BY
FALL 2020
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Donnell Walker
WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION Students who complete a paralegal education often find they are better prepared for the first year of law school than their classmates. While the paralegal studies curriculum at Tri-C covers many of the same concepts a student would learn in their first year of law school, Storey says the difference is in the application of the knowledge. “Though our graduates find they’re covering some of the same material in law school, they get it from two different perspectives,” she said. “Our program focuses on practical skills, such as drafting legal correspondence and filing legal documents in court. In law school, they focus more on theoretical skills, such as developing arguments for a case.” Tina Ramishvili, a 2018 program graduate, saw the advantage firsthand when she entered the Cleveland-Marshall College of Law at Cleveland State University. Born in the country of Georgia, Ramishvili moved to the United States in 2015 while in the process of finishing a political science degree at Baltic International Academy in Riga, Latvia. She expects to graduate from ClevelandMarshall in 2022. “The saying is that paralegals know more than attorneys because they do so much of the work,” said Ramishvili, 25, of Parma. “I saw how important it is to have that foundation of knowledge as you enter law school. And Tri-C’s program prepared me tremendously. Not only with law, but in even more basic things like English, since it’s not my first language. They helped me with so much.” Many students are drawn to Tri-C’s program because of its reputation for being challenging yet supportive. It offers an unvarnished view of the rigors of working in the legal field while still providing the encouragement that empowers students to pursue their dreams. “From the professors all the way up to the director, they’re all very supportive of you and set you up to pursue your goals,” said Donnell Walker, who graduated from Tri-C with a paralegal certificate in 2018. 22
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Walker, 33, of Warrensville Heights, entered ClevelandMarshall this fall. He is also studying for a master’s degree in public administration at Cleveland State. “I hope to become a federal judge someday, and Tri-C served as my springboard,” he said. “I keep in touch with people from the paralegal program, so that support is still there even after you graduate.”
GROWING IN NUMBERS Baron, Ramishvili and Walker are three members of a growing pool of Tri-C Paralegal Studies graduates continuing their education at four-year schools. Following the 2018-2019 academic year, 18% of Tri-C’s paralegal graduates transferred to a subsequent institution. That’s up from 15% following the 2017-2018 academic year. Some pursue an advanced law degree, while others put their paralegal skills to work in other areas of study. “Legal skills are applicable in a lot of areas,” Storey said. “I think many students are drawn to that. You develop critical thinking and analysis skills, which can be very useful in other disciplines and vocations. In our program, we strive to have our students master every necessary skill. It’s a big reason why we have such a strong reputation in the legal community.” The Tri-C Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association. The program enrolls new students every semester, with an average of 125 students in the program at any given time. “Nobody thinks about Tri-C as a path to becoming a lawyer or a judge, but they should,” Walker said. “The knowledge you gain, and the belief you gain in yourself if you’re willing to work hard — it’s so valuable. I recommend Tri-C to anyone looking to take that first step.” Visit tri-c.edu/paralegal for more information on the program.
FEEDING A NEED
COVID-19 KEPT CUSTOMERS OUT OF TRI-C’S ALERE RESTAURANT THIS FALL, SO CULINARY STUDENTS COOKED FOR THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD STORY BY
Cuyahoga Community College’s student-run restaurant found new clientele at the St. Malachi Parish hunger center after the COVID-19 outbreak closed its reservation book. Delicious dishes cooked in the Alere kitchen as part of an advanced culinary class were boxed and taken to St. Malachi’s Back Door Ministry during fall semester. Twenty to 25 meals were dropped off every Wednesday and Thursday. “Serving others is what we teach,” said Deanna Manners, an assistant culinary professor at the College. “With these meals, we took that lesson to another level and helped our community.” Alere offers students a restaurant experience from the stovetop to seating and serving patrons. The 12-table eatery usually caters to diners four days a week at Tri-C’s Jerry Sue Thornton Center on East 22nd Street. COVID-19, however, closed the restaurant to the public for fall semester. That forced imaginative adjustments for the two classes — kitchen operations and dining room operations — that staff Alere.
John Horton
Paper cutouts of people replaced diners in seats and were served beautifully plated meals prepared and presented by students. Chefs visited the tables, too, offering vivid descriptions of the dishes they made. “We tried to replicate things as best we could,” Manners said. The only problem? The paper people didn’t have much of an appetite. So the plated dishes quickly returned to the kitchen, where they were packaged for delivery to St. Malachi’s Back Door Ministry. Tri-C culinary student Bre’Anna Page said cooking for those at the shelter fed her soul. “Reaching out to others is important,” said the Euclid resident, who expects to graduate from the College in May. “It’s a good feeling to know the dishes we’re making are going to people who really need them.”
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PROFESSOR MICHAEL FLATT HELPS STUDENTS STEP OUTSIDE THEIR OWN EXPERIENCES TO EXAMINE SOCIAL JUSTICE ISSUES FROM A SOCIOLOGIST’S PERSPECTIVE STORY BY
Beth Cieslik Victoria Stanbridge
PHOTOS BY
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A MATTER OF
PERSPECTIVE An Unexpected Career Path The Akron native wasn’t always so sure what he was meant to do, however.
Racism. Prejudice. Privilege. Each of these words carries great meaning — though agreeing on that meaning can be difficult. Take prejudice, for example — one of several concepts that Cuyahoga Community College sociology professor Michael Flatt describes as “massively misunderstood.” “No one wants to be told that they’re prejudiced,” he said. “But in reality, ‘prejudice’ simply means ‘pre-judgment.’ We all make pre-judgments in our social interactions. The danger comes when we let our pre-judgments affect how we treat others.” Like many in his field, Flatt believes that thinking like a sociologist can help us step outside ourselves to see things from another’s perspective. Analyzing the assumptions we make about society based upon our own experiences and beliefs can be eye-opening. “The social groups we belong to shape us in invisible ways,” he said. “For me, helping people make connections between their personal experiences and the public issues of the moment never gets old.”
After moving to Cleveland at 19, Flatt worked in the service industry to pay for college — a class or two at a time. Eventually, after seven years at Cleveland State University without declaring a major, he discovered he had met the requirements for a Bachelor of Arts in sociology. “I didn’t have an academic plan, and I honestly didn’t even know enough to see an adviser,” he said. “It took me a while to discover that I was a sociologist at heart.” While pursuing his master’s and doctorate degrees, Flatt taught sociology, bioethics and health sciences classes as an adjunct instructor at Cleveland State, Case Western Reserve University and Tri-C’s Metropolitan and Western campuses. Aware that securing a full-time teaching position can be challenging, he devised a backup plan: an apprenticeship as a funeral director. “I’ve always been interested in the rituals and social interactions that surround death,” he explained. In the end, his passion and talent for teaching a wide variety of topics to diverse groups of people led to his 2016 appointment as a full-time professor at Tri-C’s Western Campus.
“WE ALL MAKE PRE-JUDGMENTS IN OUR SOCIAL INTERACTIONS. THE DANGER COMES WHEN WE LET OUR PRE-JUDGMENTS AFFECT HOW WE TREAT OTHERS.” —Michael Flatt, Professor, Sociology FALL 2020
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Taking a Stand Since then, Flatt has established himself as a go-to resource for knowledge and advice regarding social justice issues. In addition to serving as faculty adviser to the campus’ Lambda Gender-Sexuality Alliance, he works with College administration to ensure LGBTQ+-inclusive policies and practices as president of the employee-led Sexual Orientation and Gender Equality (SOGE) Council. Flatt is a founding member of Tri-C’s Institute on Poverty and Urban Education, for which he currently serves as research director. He is also on the advisory committee for the College’s newly formed Stand for Racial Justice alliance. “I’m proud to work at an institution whose employees are invested in the outside world,” he said. “Not until we’re all willing to take a stand will we see meaningful change.”
A New Perspective Flatt inspires that same drive toward meaningful change in his students. His courses are designed to help them identify the social constraints that unconsciously guide their actions and shape their beliefs — ultimately breaking through those constraints in order to gain a new perspective. “One of the best things about teaching sociology is that you get to dive into topics like race, gender, sexual orientation, religion and politics,” Flatt said. “My goal is to help students build the critical thinking skills necessary to defend their viewpoints in rational, thoughtful ways.” Nick Galaida entered Flatt’s classroom a staunch defender of the Cleveland Indians Chief Wahoo logo and left having produced an opinion column, posted on cleveland.com in January 2017, that called for its retirement. 26
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Another former student, Anton Krieger, was inspired to run for North Royalton city council. “Knowing that one of my classes encouraged someone to take action and helped them see that they’re capable of changing the world around them is about as much success as I could hope for,” Flatt said.
Building Connections Five years ago, Flatt and his partner, Eric, bought a house in Cleveland’s Westown neighborhood. Staying in the city proper was a non-negotiable, as they wanted to join a community that reflects the area’s diversity. It’s the ideal setting for them and their two chihuahuas, Julio and Lucille. Along with several Tri-C colleagues, Flatt dedicates a portion of his free time to organizations like the Greater Cleveland Food Bank and Ronald McDonald House, helping to ensure that Northeast Ohioans receive access to the services they need. He values the kinship that volunteerism builds between people from different walks of life. “It reminds us that we have more in common with our neighbors than we might think,” he said. Looking at today’s issues through a sociological lens can help us all make sense of what is happening around us. In particular, listening to people with different lived experiences from our own can open our eyes to inequities we never realized existed. “Listening to others may sound simple, but doing so with an open mind and a sense of trust is something that forces us to challenge biases we may not even know we have,” Flatt said. “As a teacher, one of the most rewarding things I can hear is, ‘I never thought of it that way before.’ To me, that’s student success.”
“WE WANT TO EMPOWER STUDENTS TO BECOME LIFELONG VOTERS AND ACTIVE CITIZENS,” —Katie Montgomery, Director, Government Relations
ASK EVERY STUDENT TRI-C IS ONE OF 31 SCHOOLS TAKING A NATIONAL ROLE IN VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS TO INVOLVE MORE STUDENTS IN THE POLITICAL PROCESS When it came time to select colleges to lead the way on student voter participation, Cuyahoga Community College won in a landslide. Tri-C joined an elite group of colleges and universities named as codesigners for “Ask Every Student,” a project of the National Resource Consortium on Full Student Voter Participation. Tri-C is the only Ohio school — and one of two community colleges — on the list. Other higher education institutions among the 31 named as 2020-2021 Codesigner Campuses include Harvard University, Northwestern University and the University of Michigan. The goal of Ask Every Student is to develop programs that achieve 100% college student participation in elections. Historically, young adults have voted at lower rates than older age groups. “We want to empower students to become lifelong voters and active citizens,” said Katie Montgomery, Tri-C’s director of government relations. “Casting a ballot is the way we make our voice heard and how we build our future.”
Ask Every Student highlighted Tri-C’s “The Voting Experience” project as a best practices model for democratic engagement. The exhibit familiarizes students with the process of registering to vote, researching candidates and issues in a nonpartisan fashion, and casting ballots. The Voting Experience debuted in 2018 as a hands-on display and continued last year. It was offered virtually in 2020 due to the COVID-19 outbreak. (Visit tri-c.edu/tricvotes to view the videos.) This year’s The Voting Experience project at Tri-C was led by four students: Sebastian Canales of Parma, Arwa Elmashae of Shaker Heights, Charese Harrison of Maple Heights and Chukwudalu Okafor of Cleveland. Each is a Democracy Fellow with the Fair Election Center’s Campus Vote Project, a national movement to empower student voter engagement. Motivating students to vote is woven into the College experience at Tri-C. The school has been recognized as a “Voter Friendly Campus” for its efforts to help students participate in the political process.
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CREATING
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CONNECTIONS
AWARD-WINNING TRI-C STUDENT DANA BURTIN USES ART AS A PATHWAY TO UNDERSTANDING OTHERS
When he was 15, Dana Burtin’s mother gave him a journal and encouraged him to start writing down his thoughts. “Those paragraphs turned into poems. Those poems turned into lyrics,” Burtin said. “I write every day, all the time.” That initial journal opened roads for Burtin, a student at Cuyahoga Community College’s Metropolitan Campus. Those roads led him where he is today — connecting with others through his art. STORY BY
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Jarrod Zickefoose
Visit lyricalgenes.com to hear and read Burtin’s work
“RELATING TO ONE ANOTHER IS WHAT’S IMPORTANT. I ALWAYS WANT TO RELATE TO PEOPLE.” —Dana Burtin, Liberal Arts student
Burtin, now 19, is a published author, a poet and an award-winning musician who performs as Lyricalgenes. He is working on a screenplay and will soon co-direct and act in the series it produces. “If you bottle everything in, you can go insane,” he said. “Relating to one another is what’s important. I always want to relate to people.” A thoughtful and reflective artist, Burtin said he creates to spread positivity. Take, for example, his latest book, Racism & My Personal “Mind Over Matter” Story. In it, he writes about his experiences coming up as a Black male in predominantly white private schools. The book is his seventh and available from Amazon. His latest song, “Heroes 2020,” is meant to “remind everyone that doctors, nurses and many more are willingly putting themselves in harm’s way just to keep us safe.” “This song instills hope, reassurance and appreciation for those people making a difference,” he writes on his website, lyricalgenes.com. Burtin’s mother, who looms large in his life as a source of inspiration and support, is a nurse. In 2019, Burtin was named Tri-C MC of the Year at the College’s annual Hip-Hop Homecoming. Held at Metro Campus, the event showcases the talent of Tri-C students and alumni while offering networking opportunities with peers and industry professionals.
Anthony Fryer (A.N.T.), to create a theme song to be played at the College’s basketball games. The result was “Royalty.” The video for the song earned the Best Music Video Award at the 2020 Miami 4 Social Change Youth Film Festival. The video was shot at Metro Campus and features an appearance by Tri-C’s triceratops mascot, Stomp. “Any win is surprising,” Burtin said, adding, “I’m in an environment where I really like my music.” Burtin has released three albums and three EPs as Lyricalgenes. He plans to release a new album in early 2021. In a nod to newfound confidence and belief in his work, he is titling the album Dana Burtin. He said the notion of patience is important for an artist. “There were times when I’ve tried walking away from music or taking long breaks, but music is embedded into my soul,” Burtin said. “In the most non-egotistical way possible, I am meant to influence others in a positive light. That’s how and why I keep going. And that’s the detailed concept of my new album.” He is scheduled to graduate from Tri-C in Spring 2021 with an associate degree in liberal arts. He plans to transfer to Cleveland State University with the ultimate goal of becoming an entertainment industry lawyer. Burtin is already gaining business experience in the entertainment field. He founded Boyz II Business Entertainment to release his music and writing, and he serves as CEO of the company. However, his drive to connect with people is not going anywhere. “I’ll still be making music all the time,” he said.
He was paired with the event’s Tri-C Producer of the Year,
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ONE LAST THING
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEGINNINGS MONROE KENNEDY III EARNED A PH.D. ON HIS WAY TO BECOMING AN ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY. THIS SUMMER, HE REVERSE-TRANSFERRED COLLEGE CREDITS TO COMPLETE THE ASSOCIATE DEGREE HE BEGAN WORKING TOWARD AT TRI-C IN 2006. HERE’S WHY. Beginnings are important. I remember how I felt on my first day at Tri-C — the excitement for what I would learn, the friends and collaborators I would meet, the community I would join. But as a high school-aged student starting college, I was also concerned about how I would measure up. Ultimately, my time at Tri-C helped me gain confidence in myself and my ability to succeed. All the professors I met at the College were absolutely dedicated to my success. Dr. Ormond Brathwaite truly helped propel my career by nominating me for a scholarship from the University of Maryland. I went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, as well as a Master of Science in robotics and a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and applied mechanics from the University of Pennsylvania.
BY
Monroe Kennedy III
Today I serve as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Stanford University, where I also direct the Assistive Robotics and Manipulation Laboratory. As I look back on the trajectory of my life, I am humbled when I remember how many individuals contributed to my success along the way. I felt compelled to acknowledge their work and my own by completing my associate degree. I also hope to pay it forward by helping others on their own paths to success. To that end, I urge current and future students not to underestimate the importance of taking that first step. Beginnings are important — and Tri-C is an excellent place to begin.
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SAVE THE DATE
Cuyahoga Community College Foundation invites you to attend the 2020 PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON presented by
A Conversation With The Right Honourable
Theresa May
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2016-2019) Member of Parliament for Maidenhead
THU R S DAY, MAY 13 11:25 A .M. – 1:05 P.M. C L E VE L AN D, OHIO Location provided with ticket confirmation
Benefiting scholarships for Tri-C® students Contact the Tri-C Foundation at 216-987-4868 or foundation@tri-c.edu for more information. 20-0414
700 Carnegie Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Where futures begin. SM
Learn what you need | Earn what you deserve | Save more than you think
www.tri-c.edu/startnow • 216-987-6000 Eastern Campus, Highland Hills | Metropolitan Campus, Downtown Cleveland Western Campus, Parma | Westshore Campus, Westlake 19-1326
19-1326 ICD Tri-C Times Fall 2019 7.875x10.875 Enrollment Ad.indd 1
20-0785
10/31/19 1:05 PM
