TABLE of CONTENTS

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

EDITOR John Horton

MANAGING EDITOR Jarrod Zickefoose

COPY EDITOR Beth Cieslik

WRITERS Erik Cassano Beth Cieslik John Horton Jarrod Zickefoose

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jason Miller Victoria Stanbridge Cody York

DESIGNER Eric Wheeler

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 Faculty Profile: Michael Flatt ..............24 Voting: Ask Every Student .................27 Student Profile: Dana Burtin..............28 One Last Thing.................................30

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.