Tri-C Times Spring 2018 by Cuyahoga Community College

A PUBLICATION OF CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPRING 2018

Early SUCCESS with COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS

A Broadway Beginning: 2018 Tri-C JazzFest Opens With Stars of the Stage

Bienvenidos a Cleveland: Assisting Puerto Rican Families Uprooted by Hurricane Maria

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PRESENTED BY

JUNE 28 - 30, 2018 PL AY HOUSE SQUARE

www.tri-cjazzfest.com

18-0023

A Message from the President

t Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®), it is our mission to provide access to educational opportunities and services that improve the quality of life for all Northeast Ohio residents. In this issue of Tri-C Times, we will share stories of opportunities that reach beyond traditional academic coursework and challenge preconceived notions about community colleges. Tri-C offers students in grades 7 through 12 the opportunity to earn college credit at their high school or on campus. Many students who participate in the College Credit Plus program graduate from high school having already earned an associate degree. Learn more about the program — and some of its star students — starting on page 6. Our students benefit from robust athletic programs and unique learning experiences not typically available at community colleges. Even those most familiar with the College might not know that it boasts one of the top community college men’s basketball teams in the country. And few would expect a two-year college to offer study abroad opportunities such as the one in which students in Tri-C’s Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies certificate program can participate. Community members have access to a wealth of services and programming at the College as well. Learn more about Tri-C’s Dental Hygiene Clinic and see how our students impact the health of their neighbors while getting hands-on experience in their field. In addition, we have announced the lineup for the 39th annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, presented by KeyBank. This year’s festival offers something for everyone; see pages 26-27 for more details. Tri-C also welcomes fellow citizens displaced by Hurricane Maria as they build new lives for themselves and their families in Northeast Ohio. The Bienvenidos a Cleveland initiative helps these new arrivals connect with community-based organizations that can provide the support and resources they need most. As a public institution, we would be unable to offer these opportunities without support from our partners and from citizens throughout Cuyahoga County who recognize the importance of education and job training to the economic health and sustainability of our region. Each of you is a partner in Tri-C. Read on to discover how your support is improving lives across Northeast Ohio.

Sincerely,

Alex Johnson, Ph.D. President

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Tri-C Times is published by the Cuyahoga Community College 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, Ohio 44115; call 216-987-4322; or email editorial@tri-c.edu.

Advanced Technology Training Center 3409 Woodland Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Brunswick University Center 3605 Center Road Brunswick, Ohio 44212 Corporate College® East 4400 Richmond Road Warrensville Hts., Ohio 44128 Corporate College® West 25425 Center Ridge Road Westlake, Ohio 44145

SP R I NG 2018

COVER STORY: EARLY SUCCESS More than 4,000 high school students enrolled at Tri-C last year and began working toward their future through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program. Their achievements surpassed those of students at every other college and university in the state. Appearing on the cover: College Credit Plus student Jennifer Watley at Eastern Campus Appearing in the photos above: College Credit Plus students Nigel Becker, Kristen Septaric and Nathan Cabot

HEALTHY ANNIVERSARY

FINDING PEACE

Dental Hygiene Clinic provides 50 years of services to Tri-C alumnus Wolfgang Keich

Study abroad opportunity in Costa Rica gives students insight into different culture

District Administrative Services 700 Carnegie Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Eastern Campus 4250 Richmond Road Highland Hills, Ohio 44122 Gill and Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts 2809 Woodland Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Hospitality Management Center at Public Square 180 Euclid Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Jerry Sue Thornton Center 2500 E. 22nd St. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Metropolitan Campus 2900 Community College Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Truck Driving Academy Heritage Business Park 23555 Euclid Ave., Suite 105 Euclid, Ohio 44117 Manufacturing Technology Center 2415 Woodland Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Western Campus 11000 Pleasant Valley Road Parma, Ohio 44130 Westshore Campus 31001 Clemens Road Westlake, Ohio 44145

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14 Editor John Horton Managing Editor Mary Gygli Copy Editors Erik Cassano Beth Cieslik Writers Erik Cassano Beth Cieslik John Horton Jarrod Zickefoose Photographers Tamara London Cody York

16 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

UPFRONT

COLLEGE CREDIT PLUS

ACCOUNTING 3-D

DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC

CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACE STUDIES

BIENVENIDOS A CLEVELAND

FACULTY PROFILE: MICHAEL ROWAN

STUDENT PROFILE: DEVON ROBINSON

TRI-C JAZZFEST CLEVELAND

ALUMNUS PROFILE: ANTONIO BOHANON

BEHIND THE SCENES

#MYTRICSTORY

A Prescription for Safety Medicine disposal boxes installed at Tri-C campuses Prescription drug disposal boxes installed earlier this year at Cuyahoga Community College campuses provide secure locations for the community to throw away unused medications. Tri-C Campus Police and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office collaborated on the disposal box project in response to the region’s ongoing opioid crisis. The Sheriff’s Office will be in charge of emptying the boxes and discarding the drugs. “We installed these boxes to help protect our College and the community,” Tri-C Police Lt. Thomas McMillan said. “We want individual community members, students, faculty and staff to have a safe place to dispose of unwanted prescription medication.” The disposal boxes are located in the student services buildings at Eastern Campus in Highland Hills and Metropolitan Campus in Cleveland; the Galleria at Western Campus in Parma; and the lobby of Westshore Campus in Westlake. The white metal boxes allow for the disposal of any solid medication, such as pills, capsules or skin patches. Needles, liquids and biohazardous materials should not be left in the boxes.

Building Toward the Future January groundbreaking at Western Campus opens busy year for projects Cuyahoga Community College ushered in a new era in academic instruction and workforce training with a January groundbreaking ceremony for its Western Campus STEM Center. The 60,000-square-foot building will house lab and classroom space for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) courses vital to the jobs of tomorrow. The new space will foster innovative and collaborative learning opportunities to expand educational experiences. Voter approval of Tri-C’s bond issue request in November made the project possible. Approval of Issue 61 raised $227.5 million for the College to create new instructional space, keep pace with changing technology and address decades of wear and tear on buildings. “Passage of the bond issue represented an amazing commitment from our supporters and a demonstration of confidence in the institution,” Tri-C President Alex Johnson said. “This investment will ensure that the College has the tools to offer productive learning environments that strengthen the workforce and economy of Northeast Ohio.” The shovels and hard hats used at the STEM Center groundbreaking will see additional action this year at ceremonies launching the following projects: • A second building at Westshore Campus in Westlake. • An expansion of the Advanced Technology Training Center in Cleveland. • A mock village for scenario-based training at the Public Safety Training Center at Western Campus. • An expansion of the Automotive Technology Center at Western Campus. To keep track of progress on College projects, visit www.tri-c.edu/ConstructionUpdates.

TRI-C

DAY

SAVE THE DATE

R IL

1 12, 2 0

One Day. One College. One Big Difference. On April 12, join with the College and Northeast Ohio community to celebrate Tri-C’s role in improving lives through education, workforce training, cultural enrichment and innovation over the past 54 years. Watch for details on the College’s social media platforms to be part of the party.

On Solid Ground New bond ratings reflect financial health of College entering construction phase The College’s strong and stable financial health led to elevated long-term bond ratings for the institution by the world’s largest credit rating agencies earlier this year. Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings assigned its AA long-term rating and Moody’s Investors Service its Aa1 long-term rating to the College’s 2018 general obligation school facilities construction and improvement bonds. These ratings reflect improvements over the previous S&P rating of AA- and the previous Moody’s rating of Aa2 for general receipt bonds. The increases in the College’s ratings made a significant positive impact on the sale of the bonds to finance capital improvements made possible by the November passage of Issue 61 by Cuyahoga County voters.

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Early SUCCESS High school students achieve at Tri-C through the state’s College Credit Plus program

inety-one colleges and universities joined Cuyahoga Community College in opening their lecture halls and campuses to high school students enrolled through Ohio’s College Credit Plus program. None matched the academic achievement seen at Tri-C. College Credit Plus students at Tri-C studied their way to nearly 36,000 college credits during the 20162017 academic year. Only three colleges in the state came within 80 percent of that total. The credits earned at Tri-C that year carried a tuition value of more than $3.7 million — money that families won’t have to spend as the next generation pursues college degrees critical for landing the jobs of tomorrow. “The goal of College Credit Plus is to reduce the time and expense of earning a degree or certificate,” said Tim Dorsey, dean of access and completion at Tri-C. “It gives high school students a head start on building a better life, and that’s good for them and our community.” Ohio debuted College Credit Plus in the fall of 2015 to improve educational attainment and career readiness for young citizens while strengthening the bridge between high school and higher education. The innovative program serves as a dual enrollment system, with students earning college credits while meeting high school graduation requirements. College Credit Plus is open to teens in grades seven through 12 who are academically ready for more rigorous coursework.

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Early SUCCESS State education dollars pay for the program, meaning there is little or no cost for participating students and their families. College Credit Plus expanded and improved upon a previous state program called Post Secondary Enrollment Options, or PSEO. State officials viewed PSEO as underutilized given inefficiencies and confusion with the system. The revamp brought immediate results. Early enrollment by high school students in state colleges and universities swelled from 13,813 in the last year of PSEO to more than 54,000 in the first year of College Credit Plus. Growth continued in the second full year of College Credit Plus in 2016-2017, when more than 68,000 high school students took advantage of the program. Another increase is expected in the current year. Ohio Department of Higher Education Chancellor John Carey said the state is dedicated to providing

students with a low-cost opportunity to further their academic and career goals. “I’m pleased to see more college-ready students taking advantage of the opportunity offered by College Credit Plus,” Carey said. “This gives students across Ohio a jump-start on their future while saving their families thousands of dollars in college tuition costs.” The financial lift to families cannot be understated. Just ask Laurie Septaric. Both of her daughters, Nicole and Kristen, invested some of their high school years at Tri-C’s Western Campus. The credits they earned transferred to Kent State University. Nicole entered the four-year school as a sophomore; Kristen will arrive this fall as a junior. (See her story below.) Collectively, the Tri-C courses Nicole and Kristen took through College Credit Plus and PSEO equaled three years at Kent State. Tuition, room and board at KSU runs more than $20,000 per year.

THE Right MEDICINE College Credit Plus brings life to Kristen Septaric’s career aspirations Kristen Septaric dreamed of becoming a doctor. She just didn’t believe that dream could come true. Too many years of school with too many dollars in tuition stood between her and a medical degree. “I couldn’t see how to make it happen, given the money and the time and all of the obstacles in the way,” Septaric said. “I wanted it, I really did … but it seemed impossible.” Cuyahoga Community College and the College Credit Plus program changed that diagnosis. Four years of classes at Tri-C’s Western Campus in Parma — all while a student at nearby Normandy High School — gave Septaric a no-cost jump-start toward a white coat and the title of doctor.

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Septaric earned 75 college credits at Tri-C and will graduate in May with two degrees — an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science. She will receive her high school diploma the same month.

AN Academic HOME Experience at Tri-C helps home-schooled student Nigel Becker build leadership skills “That’s $60,000 that we don’t have to spend,” said Septaric, of Seven Hills. “For a blue-collar family like ours, that’s huge.” College Credit Plus also positions high school students for success as they advance on their academic journey. A state report shows that CCP students across the state outperformed their collegeage classmates during the 2016-2017 year. Those high grades added academic credentials to fledgling resumes, as more than 800 College Credit Plus students across Ohio earned an associate degree or certificate through the program. Students at Tri-C accounted for 33 of those completion stories. Dorsey said that Tri-C works with incoming College Credit Plus students to create a culture of success. Each student is required to attend an orientation session to ease their transition and introduce them to campus resources. “They’re connected right away to the support

Nigel Becker signed on to a computer and started college at age 14. The home-schooled student enrolled in his first class at Tri-C — Honors College Composition — in fall 2015. He has since taken more than 20 credit hours online through the College Credit Plus program. Becker said he has used the classes to supplement his home-school curriculum, explore a range of mercurial interests and get a head start on a college degree. He hopes to pursue a career as an advertising copywriter. “College Credit Plus has given me a wonderful opportunity to start working toward my future,” Becker said. Success in the classroom connected the teen to campus life, too. A flawless GPA earned Becker an invitation to join Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, which offers opportunities for students to grow as scholars and leaders. He currently serves as vice president and secretary of the honor society’s Beta Upsilon Beta chapter at Westshore Campus near his home in the county’s western suburbs. In that leadership role, Becker helped the chapter organize a donation drive for Hurricane Maria survivors as well as a pair of programs to introduce home-schooled students to opportunities at Westshore Campus.

The teen knew the benefits of early college enrollment after watching her older sister, Nicole, attend Tri-C while at Normandy High. Nicole Septaric took classes through the state’s Post Secondary Enrollment Options program, an early version of College Credit Plus.

“I’ve had so many interactions with people at Tri-C, from the campus president to fellow students,” Becker said. “It has been a great experience and — as a home-schooled student — it really helped me build up interpersonal skills.”

“Nicole had so much success with it, so I followed in her footsteps,” Septaric said. In the fall, she will walk onto the Kent State University campus as a junior to begin working on a bachelor’s degree in public health. Medical school will follow. Her ultimate goal is to become a flight surgeon with the U.S. Air Force. “Tri-C and College Credit Plus are the reasons I can even think about doing that,” said Septaric, 17, who lives in Seven Hills. “The program put me in a position to really go after my dream. It made me think bigger.”

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Early SUCCESS system that exists within the College,” Dorsey said. “We want them to know they are one of our students and that there are people here to help them.” Jeremy Watley said interactions with professors, staff and classmates helped his daughter, Jennifer, thrive after enrolling at Tri-C’s Eastern Campus through College Credit Plus. (See her story, page 11.) He described her success as “a relief” for a father worried about his baby girl moving across the state this fall to take classes at Bowling Green State University. “I know Jennifer will be able to handle things given her experiences at Tri-C with College Credit Plus,” said Watley, of Bedford. “She’s ready and heading off with a lot of confidence. As a dad, that eases a lot of concerns.”

College Credit Plus brought more than 4,000 high school students to Tri-C in 2016-2017 — an increase of more than 25 percent from the prior year. The students represented every public high school in Cuyahoga County and many from adjoining communities. They’ve become more active and involved with campus life, too, and movement is afoot to begin a College Credit Plus Club at Western Campus. The increased numbers reflect the success of the program at Tri-C, Dorsey said. He expects enrollment to continue trending upward, particularly given the positive experiences of College Credit Plus students. “To be honest,” Dorsey said, “word of mouth is our best recruiter.”

CAREER Networking Early start to college opens doors for Nathan Cabot Nathan Cabot clocked in at Benesch — one of Cleveland’s largest law firms — before 7:30 a.m. most days this past winter as part of an internship in the office’s information technology department. That’s more than an hour before his classmates at Cleveland’s MC2STEM High School hit their desks for lessons. The 17-year-old landed the internship on the strength of his College Credit Plus experience at Tri-C, where he

is studying electrical engineering and working toward professional certifications in computer network hardware. “I wouldn’t be where I am right now without College Credit Plus and Tri-C,” he said. Cabot enrolled in his first classes at Tri-C in fall 2016. He eased in at first, taking three classes to see if he could handle the rigor of college coursework. The teen ended the semester with two A’s on his transcript. He loaded his schedule with 17 credit hours in spring 2017 and 16 credit hours this past fall. Cabot attended during summer session, too. He took his classes at Metropolitan Campus, the closest to his home in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood. “It was a big difference from high school,” Cabot said, “but I knew I could handle it.” Cabot is on track to earn an Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology by the end of the year. He will also work toward a professional credential as a Cisco Certified Network Associate. He intends to seek a full-time job after graduation before possibly pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

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Looking AHEAD Jennifer Watley used College Credit Plus to get a peek at the future Preparation builds success. That’s why Jennifer Watley enrolled at Tri-C through the College Credit Plus program during her senior year at Bedford High School. “I wanted the experience of being at college and taking college classes,” Watley said. “Being at Tri-C helps me understand what I’ll face next year when I go away to school. This makes that step a little less scary.” The lessons learned stretch far beyond English and sociology. The 18-year-old said she used her time at Eastern Campus to build the skills she’ll need to thrive next fall at Bowling Green State University. That includes structuring a study schedule for classes that meet twice a week, navigating a campus and finding her place in a new academic and social environment. Basically, it’s the syllabus for College 101.

Watley split her day between Tri-C and the hallways of Bedford High, where she remained active. She serves as secretary of her senior class and student senate and organized school events as a student peer mediator. She also has been involved in projects looking toward the future of Bedford schools. Watley plans to study education at Bowling Green, where she was accepted into a leadership development program. She said that she wants to teach overseas after earning her bachelor’s degree. Eventually, she intends to continue her schooling to become a guidance counselor and perhaps a college professor. “I feel like I’m off to a good start,” Watley said, “and a lot of that is because of College Credit Plus.”

“It’s about taking on responsibility and becoming more organized with your life,” Watley said. “This is college. There are more demands on you than in high school. You learn to adjust if you want to do well.”

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TWO SIDES, Three Dimensions

Tri-C accounting students use both logic and creativity to power 3-D printing project

he skills needed for accounting and 3-D printing originate in opposite sides of the brain. 3-D printing is a creative pursuit. You need the inspiration and vision to develop an item, quite literally, from the bottom up. Accounting is rooted in mathematical logic — addition and subtraction, dollars and cents. It wouldn’t seem likely for the two fields of study to cross paths, but that is exactly what is happening this semester at Cuyahoga Community College’s Westshore Campus. Students in Eric Primuth’s management accounting class are taking on a project that requires them to engage both the left and right sides of their brains. Each student must develop the concept for an item that can be produced via 3-D printing, also called additive manufacturing. At the same time, students must create a plan for how that product can be mass-produced — including sourcing of raw materials, production costs, packaging and shipping.

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Each student must then build a prototype of the item using the 3-D printers available at Westshore and Corporate College® West. Primuth first became interested in incorporating 3-D printing into his management accounting curriculum through the Ohio Means Internships & Coops (OMIC) program with Cleveland State University. “I was one of the OMIC externs, and MAGNET (Manufacturing Advocacy & Growth Network) is a partner of OMIC,” Primuth said. “Dave Pierson, a senior engineer at MAGNET and part-time instructor at Tri-C, gave a presentation on additive manufacturing, and it really opened my eyes as to what the technology can do.” Exposing students to that technology is one of the main goals of the 3-D printing project. With the continuing advancement of additive manufacturing as a viable path to production and profit, businesspeople of the future will need to understand how an additive manufacturing business model must operate in order to be successful.

Business and accounting students who aren’t exposed to additive manufacturing will find themselves at a disadvantage as they enter the business world. “The goal of the project is threefold,” Primuth said. “One, to give the students hands-on experience in developing and costing a product from start to finish. Two, to expose them to additive manufacturing terminology and techniques. Three, to get them thinking about sustainability, which is one of the main draws of additive manufacturing in the business world.” To help create the project, Primuth turned to Gary Arnosk, an integration technician at the Westshore Campus. Arnosk provides students with background on additive manufacturing technology, how a 3-D printer and printing software works, and what types of items can be produced in a 3-D printer. In February, Primuth and Arnosk met with the spring 2018 management accounting class at the 3-D printing lab at Corporate College West. The purpose of the meeting was to give students a crash course in the what, how and where of 3-D printing. Primuth passed around examples of items produced by students in previous classes. They look simple — a cellphone holder, a set of coasters, a scale-model Eiffel Tower and Statue of Liberty — but each required hours of planning and printing, and every hour spent on an item comes with a cost. “To design something that can be 3-D printed, there is a lot you have to understand first,” Arnosk said. “You have to understand the capabilities and limitations of the printers. You have to understand how much plastic you’re going to have to use. And things don’t always turn out right the first time. If something turned out right, it’s probably because there were prior attempts where the calibration was off, the design was off, or something else went wrong.” Every move of the machine has to be determined in advance, and it can take thousands of nearly microscopic injections of melted plastic to make a finished product over the span of hours. A design mistake might not become apparent until many hours into the project. “For example, a horizontal arm or appendage needs to be supported as it’s being printed,” Arnosk said. “You have to decide whether it makes more sense to print a temporary support that you can then cut away once the piece is complete, or to maybe print the object on its side so the arm prints vertically.”

With the technology still in its infancy, the teachers are learning along with the students. The outcome of each project offers additional insight into the possibilities of additive manufacturing. “It’s exciting to learn about something that’s really still in its beginning phases,” student Leah Manick said. “They’re already making things for all different uses, even medical devices and prosthetics. And there’s no waste, which is a big consideration from a cost standpoint and a sustainability standpoint. The material that isn’t used can be put right back into the manufacturing process.” “The possibilities seem endless,” student Sam Darwish said. “I really want to know how far 3-D printing can go. What’s the limit for the technology? We’re only starting to understand it. But what we can already do with it is pretty mind-blowing.”

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Healthy ANNIVERSARY Tri-C alumnus Wolfgang Keich has entrusted his oral health to the College’s dental hygiene program for 50 years

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hen Wolfgang Keich immigrated to America in 1965, he brought with him a desire to advance his education, build up his English vocabulary and start a new life in his new hometown of Cleveland. But the native of Berlin, Germany, brought something else, too: a mouth in desperate need of dental care. “Back then in Germany, there wasn’t as much of an emphasis on dental hygiene,” said Keich, now 79. “So when I arrived here, my teeth and gums were in bad shape. I had an advanced case of gingivitis.” Two years after arriving, Keich enrolled at Cuyahoga Community College to pursue an Associate of Arts degree. That’s when he discovered Tri-C’s Dental Hygiene program, then a new program looking for patients. Aspiring dental hygienists must complete clinical hours by performing cleaning and examinations on real patients, and Keich was

TRI-C DENTAL HYGIENE CLINIC SPRING SEMESTER 2018 HOURS:

LOCATION:

Monday-Friday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Metropolitan Campus 2900 Community College Ave. Cleveland, Ohio

Wednesday 1 to 4:15 p.m.

Health Careers and Sciences building Room 106

FEES (Cash Only): Adults: $15 Children (12 and under): $10

APPOINTMENTS: 216-987-4413

ADDITIONAL SERVICES: Sealants: $5 per tooth Radiographic duplication: $10

“I KEEP COMING HERE BECAUSE THEY’RE SO THOROUGH AND PROFESSIONAL.” — Wolfgang Keich

happy to volunteer his teeth and gums to receive the attention they needed. Fifty years later, Keich is still a loyal patient of the Tri-C program, visiting the Metro Campus dental hygiene lab several times a year for a routine cleaning and examination. “I keep coming here because they’re so thorough and professional,” Keich said. “The people here teach their students to be very meticulous in their work, and they also have a lot of compassion for their patients. The students who graduate from here understand that a patient is more than just a set of teeth. You have to care for the whole patient.”

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

Keich was greeted by nearly the entire Dental Hygiene program when he arrived for his October cleaning. The program held a brief celebration to mark Keich’s 50th anniversary as a patient. “Our students and faculty always look forward to Mr. Keich’s appointments,” said Dental Hygiene Program Manager Mary Lou Gerosky. “As a patient in our clinic, he is an active participant in the learning experience of our students. He truly is a part of the Tri-C family.” The program celebrated Keich’s commitment to his dental health with a round of applause and some teeth-friendly gifts, but Keich reflected the spotlight back on a program — and a school — that has meant so much to him over the years. Keich graduated from Tri-C with an Associate of Arts in 1973, eventually returning to the College to earn an Associate of Science in 2000. “My mouth is in much better shape now, even at 79, and I credit the Tri-C program for that,” Keich said. “But I also keep coming here because this school has been so important to me. I want to support Tri-C and the students who go here. I encourage people to attend this school because it’s a gateway to a better life. I’m proof of that.” TRI-C TIMES SPRING 2018 15

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FINDING

PEACE Study abroad opportunity in Costa Rica gives students insight into a different culture

here is a lot to see in Costa Rica — redeyed tree frogs, coffee plantations, scarlet macaws. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve alone is home to 2,000 plant species. The capital city of San Jose seems like another world altogether. “You get off the plane and it’s awesome,” said Brad Lipinski, assistant professor of philosophy and humanities at Tri-C. “The weather, the humidity hits you right away. There are banana trees everywhere and you’re surrounded by mountains.”

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Welcome to the College’s southernmost campus. Each spring, Tri-C offers 10 students in its Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies program the opportunity study in Costa Rica. The two-week trip finds students attending lectures and workshops at the International University and out and about on experiential learning days. To be considered for one of the openings, students must have passed prerequisite classes, be able to pay for the trip (scholarship money is available) and go through an intensive interview process. Lipinski led his first trip in 2017 and will return again this year — the eighth for the study abroad experience. Tri-C partners on the program with Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Students stay with host families, giving them ground-level exposure to Costa Rican life. They visit high-level government institutions. They tour a “restorative” prison where the maximum sentence is 30 years and inmates earn a salary to help victims and pay fines. They visit national monuments and hike near a volcano. 18 TRI-C TIMES SPRING 2018

Students take a day trip to Earth University, a government-supported school that teaches sustainability. In 2016, 98 percent of Costa Rica’s electricity came from sustainable sources. Along the way, students get an up-close-andpersonal view of a different society — one that in many ways reflects ideas discussed in the College’s Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies program. “People live amongst each other, not separated by wealth,” Lipinski said. To say there is no crime in Costa Rica would be incorrect; however, many homes don’t even have windows that close. What really influences the Central American country — what shapes it at its core — is something unseen. In the middle of the 20th century, following a civil war, Costa Rica abolished its military. This has influenced personal, social and political life. Lipinski said, “There’s no aggression. It’s very laid back.” The country — which Lipinski called the “Geneva of the Americas” — is considered a sort of progressive experiment. It also ranks among the worldwide leaders in funneling national dollars into education.

A UNIQUE

OPPORTUNITY GROUNDBREAKING CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND PEACE STUDIES PROGRAM OFFERS WORLD VIEW

Traveling to a country like Costa Rica gives Cuyahoga Community College students an opportunity to experience culture, customs and lifestyles different from their own. Developing that global perspective is one of the primary goals of Tri-C’s Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies certificate program. Launched in 2010, the program is the first of its kind for a community college in Ohio.

Lipinski said one of the highlights of the trip comes during the final weekend, when the group visits the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Students can hike the Continental Divide and get to stay in a bunkhouse that’s not open to tourists. The founders of the reserve also meet with students and give them a tour that includes the biological research center on site. “It’s an intense day,” Lipinski said. But the trip has value that goes beyond seeing Costa Rica’s sights and studying its social organization. “You think about what you can do,” Lipinski said. “You see the immediate effect a person can have. There is this empowerment that you get, like you can tackle anything.”

The program teaches students conflict management theory and skills by examining the nature of conflict and demonstrating factors that can cause conflicts to arise. Students learn how different variables — whether economic, cultural, emotional or personal — can create opposing perspectives and how effective mediation can assist in de-escalating situations and moving all parties toward a resolution. Additional information on the Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies program — including program sequence, class schedules, registration information and prerequisites — is available at www.tri-c.edu.

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Hurricane Maria made landfall in Puerto Rico as a September day dawned

last fall and forever changed the island. Lives were lost, homes destroyed and infrastructure damaged beyond imagination. Helping hands immediately reached out from Northeast Ohio, and our region is now opening its doors to welcome hundreds of families uprooted by the disaster. Cuyahoga Community College has joined with agencies such as the Spanish American Committee, Esperanza Inc. and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District to assist the arrivals as they build a new life in their new home. Here are a few ways Tri-C has helped.

Making Connections COLLEGE CREATES WEBSITE LISTING RESOURCES AVAILABLE FOR NEW ARRIVALS

uerto Rican families relocating to Cleveland can find help if they know where to look. To better connect those needing assistance with those offering it, Tri-C launched a website in November with an online directory of agencies and organizations offering resources to arriving families. The website — www.tri-c.edu/bienvenidosacle — is designed to ease the transition of the new residents to Northeast Ohio. The site lists resources for housing, employment, transportation, medical needs, food, household items and other needs. “Cleveland can feel like a small town, but it’s a big place for people who are new here and don’t know where to go for help,” said Ramonita Vargas, executive director of the Spanish American Committee. “The website has been a way for them to find what they need.” The Spanish American Committee is one of more than 30 organizations listed on the website. For assistance or additional information on the program, contact Bienvenidos a Cleveland through the questions tab on the website or email bienvenidosacle@tri-c.edu.

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Breaking Down Language Barriers BILINGUAL TRI-C STUDENTS OFFER SERVICES TO NONPROFIT AGENCIES

“CLEVELAND IS A WELCOMING COMMUNITY. WE ARE COMING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE WHATEVER THESE FAMILIES NEED TO BRING A SENSE OF NORMALCY BACK TO THEIR LIVES.” — Alex Johnson

LOS ESTUDIANTES DE CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ESTÁN LISTOS PARA AYUDAR.

Translation: Cuyahoga Community College students are ready to help. Ten bilingual Tri-C students will intern as translators to reduce language barriers that stand between non-English speaking clients and support services offered through Cleveland-area nonprofit agencies. A $24,000 grant from the Westfield Insurance Foundation to the College’s Hispanic Council and Career Services provided funding for the internships. The foundation awarded the grant to address a potential gap in services for families arriving from Puerto Rico.

Savings Plan TUITION ASSISTANCE EFFORTS INCREASE ACCESS TO EDUCATION AND TRAINING FOR NEW RESIDENTS

C Shouldering a Need TRI-C COMMUNITY DONATES BACKPACKS AND SCHOOL SUPPLIES TO NEW STUDENTS

ore than 200 school-aged students arriving from Puerto Rico received welcome packs courtesy of the Tri-C community. The College’s Hispanic Council collected backpacks and school supplies in December for relocated students at the Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy (INA) in Cleveland. The academy absorbed many of the more than 300 Puerto Rican students who enrolled in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. The INA helps young arrivals adapt to their new home and its different language and customs. The donations from Tri-C served as an open-armed greeting from the community during an overwhelming time, said Kaleb Garcia, dean of engagement at the academy. “Providing a backpack with school supplies to these students made them feel welcome and alleviated the worries of already stressed parents,” Garcia said. ”I want to thank the Hispanic Council and the wonderful people of Tri-C for the donations.”

uyahoga Community College will offer tuition assistance this summer to help students from Puerto Rico who relocated to Northeast Ohio after Hurricane Maria. In addition, the College is working with the Ohio Department of Higher Education to formalize a partial tuition waiver to offer credit hour savings in future semesters for those displaced by the disaster. The goal in both efforts is to offset an out-of-state tuition surcharge that would drive up credit hour costs for the new residents. “Our goal is to provide an affordable educational opportunity to fellow citizens who arrived in Northeast Ohio to rebuild their lives,” Tri-C President Alex Johnson said. “We want to provide our neighbors every opportunity to succeed in their new home and to become vibrant members of the community through education and training.” For more information on the tuition program, contact Tri-C’s Hispanic Council at 216-987-5359.

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A fire TO BE kindled Tri-C biology professor encourages critical thinking and an appreciation for the natural world

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ichael Rowan doesn’t believe in science — and there’s a good reason why. “It isn’t something you can believe in or not believe in,” he explained. “When there’s overwhelming evidence supporting something, it must be accepted as truth. That’s the way science works.” As an assistant professor of biology at Cuyahoga Community College, Rowan brings his passion for scientific literacy to the labs and classrooms at Eastern Campus. But teaching wasn’t always part of his career plan. Growing up in Lake County, Rowan loved the outdoors. “Exploring the woods, digging in the dirt. That’s what I liked best.” While majoring in biology at John Carroll University, he developed an interest in ecology — particularly ecotoxicology. After graduation, he entered a master’s program in environmental science at The Ohio State University. That’s where Rowan found his true calling. After several months of field study researching the effects of various contaminants on Lake Erie’s fish populations, he became a teaching assistant in OSU’s biology department.

“It’s my responsibility as a professor to find a way to connect with every student.” — Michael Rowan

“When I went into grad school, I didn’t think I’d end up teaching,” said Rowan. “I was nervous at first. But as I got more comfortable, I found I enjoyed sharing my love for science with others. That’s what really hooked me.” When he was offered a lectureship at Tri-C’s Western Campus in 2002, Rowan decided to put his studies on hold and take the job. Besides reuniting him with family and friends in Northeast Ohio, the position provided an opportunity to get his foot in the door to academia. Within six months, he accepted a tenure-track position at Eastern Campus. Fifteen years, a marriage, two kids and a Ph.D. later, Rowan is a tenured professor serving as faculty coordinator for the biology department. Teaching at Tri-C gives Rowan the opportunity to meet a new and diverse group of students each semester. Whether they’re straight out of high school or enrolling in college after years away from the classroom, he relishes the chance to get to know each student and guide them on their academic journey. It helps that his subject matter needs no translation. “Although students from different cultures can differ greatly in politics, philosophy and religion, they can all speak the language of science,” he said. “It’s universal.”

Most of his students are science majors working on prerequisites for health career programs or building credit hours to transfer to a four-year university. Regardless of their end goal, they can expect to work hard in Rowan’s class. “There’s a famous quote from Plutarch, ‘The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled,’” he said. “I guide my students to the resources they need, and after that it’s on them to experiment, observe and draw their own conclusions.” But not all of them are up to the task — at least not initially. Rowan has learned that the best way to reach unmotivated or disengaged students is to make a personal connection. In these situations, finding the right icebreaker is key. “It’s my responsibility as a professor to find a way to connect with every student,” he said. “Even something as simple as commenting on a rival team’s jersey that they happen to be wearing. Those conversations often lead to them opening up and performing better in class.” The campus’ relaxed atmosphere and the flexibility of his job make any challenges worthwhile. But like anyone else, Rowan needs time to de-stress — and he knows just the place. “After a busy day at work, I like to

go sweat in my yard,” he said. “Just get in the dirt. My gardens are mainly ornamental — a lot of native plants.” Rowan also serves as chairman of the board of management for the Mentor Marsh, one of the largest remaining natural marshes along the shores of Lake Erie. The marshlands are home to hundreds of species of birds, fish and other wildlife. “It has a lot of environmental challenges, like salt contamination and invasive plant species,” he said. “I also live within the watershed, so it’s important to me that I help raise awareness around these issues.” Ultimately, Rowan’s goal as a teacher and an environmental advocate is to help others learn to respect and trust science. “Throughout the course of human civilization, science has helped us sustain and support ourselves by way of medicine, agriculture and other advances,” he said. “If we can’t trust science — which ultimately leads us to truths about the natural world — then we won’t last very long as a society.”

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BUCKETS, BOARDS and a BRIGHT FUTURE Tri-C athlete overcomes personal challenges to lead one of the best junior college basketball teams in the country

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uyahoga Community College men’s basketball player Devon Robinson isn’t the man he appears to be. Not when you first meet him, at least. Soft-spoken, with a ready smile, his demeanor stands in sharp contrast to his 6-foot-3-inch frame. He looks the part of a gentle giant. Then you see him on the court. And you realize there’s nothing gentle about him when he has a basketball in his hands. “He plays so hard,” said Michael Duncan, Tri-C head coach. “He sets the tone for us on offense, and he usually guards the other team’s best player on defense. He never takes a play off.” Robinson, a sophomore, is one of the top junior college basketball players in the country. He’s averaging a double-double in points and rebounds this season — 12.1 points per game and 10.6 rebounds per game through March 2. He’s also spent much of the season ranked in the top 10 nationally in steals, and he earned an NJCAA National Player of the Week award for Jan. 8-14.

The individual accomplishments are nice, but what really motivates Robinson is the thing he was denied last year: a chance at a national championship. Robinson helped lead last year’s squad to a 28-3 record, but the season came to an abrupt end with a loss in the NJCAA Region XII title game. This year’s team is poised for another shot, having won their first 20 games of the season and ranked in the top five of the NJCAA Division II Coaches’ Poll since December. “I want that chance again,” Robinson said. “I want to be able to come back here, look up in the rafters and see that banner. I want to know that I was a part of bringing a title back to Tri-C.” Robinson is savoring this opportunity, because it hasn’t come easily.

RISE AND FALL Robinson was first introduced to basketball by his father and spent his childhood playing the game in Cleveland’s Mount Pleasant neighborhood. “I started playing when I was maybe eight years old,” Robinson said. “Before long, I was playing against kids older than me. Then I started playing in rec leagues.” His talent for the game quickly became evident. He elected to enroll at nearby Benedictine High School, with hopes of starring for the Bengals. But after a short time, he withdrew and enrolled at John Adams College and Career Academy. “Benedictine just wasn’t a fit for me,” Robinson said. “I ended up at John Adams, where most of my friends were.” Robinson burst onto the basketball scene at John Adams, gaining a reputation as an explosive athlete with dunking ability worthy of highlight montages — some of which are posted on YouTube. But as effortless as Robinson made basketball look, it was an entirely different story in the classroom. Never one to enjoy studying or classwork, he frequently clowned around during class and failed to finish assignments. It all hit home in the spring of 2014, when he failed the Ohio Graduation Tests. On graduation day at John Adams, he had to sit in the audience and watch as the rest of his class — including his girlfriend — walked across the stage and received their diplomas. “I realized then that I had let the fame of being a star player go to my head,” Robinson said. “I got bigheaded, let myself become distracted and didn’t take my studies seriously enough. It woke me up.”

A SECOND CHANCE Facing the possible end of his basketball career, Robinson had to find a way to get his diploma and continue on to college. He found both at Tri-C, where he received his GED in 2016 — the summer before he made his collegiate debut on the court. That year, Robinson also became a father. “Having my son made me grow up in a hurry,” he said. “He gives me all kinds of motivation, because I don’t want to let him down. I want to be someone he can look up to.” Robinson credits Duncan for providing the structure and direction he needed to grow both as a player and as a person. “He helped me become a man,” Robinson said of his coach. “Being part of this program has been a fantastic experience for me.” “It’s been great to watch Devon mature from a raw athlete to a polished player,” Duncan said. “The skills he lacked when he first came here, he has worked hard to develop — and now he’s seeing the results.” Robinson is ready to begin his next chapter. He is preparing to transfer to California University of Pennsylvania, where he will play for the NCAA Division II Vulcans next season. With an NJCAA national championship on his resume, he hopes.

TRI-C TIMES SPRING 2018 25

TRI-C

BROADWAY OPENING 2018 Tri-C JazzFest kicks off with

Leslie Odom Jr. and Dee Dee Bridgewater

PRESENTED BY

26 TRI-C TIMES SPRING 2018

he stage belongs to a pair of Tony Award winners when Cuyahoga Community College raises the curtain on the 39th annual Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland, presented by KeyBank. The opening night concert features Leslie Odom Jr. with special guest Dee Dee Bridgewater — two Broadway stars who are also luminaries in the jazz world. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at the KeyBank State Theatre at Playhouse Square. All-female big band DIVA will provide a power-packed start to the night’s event with a performance mixing traditional sound with progressive verve. “Globally, jazz and Broadway are the cultural identity of America, and we’ll celebrate that in grand style on opening night,” said Terri Pontremoli, director of JazzFest. “Both Dee Dee and Leslie are consummate storytellers who will engage and excite the audience.” Odom earned a 2016 Tony Award for his role as Aaron Burr in the blockbuster Broadway hit musical Hamilton. He also took home a Grammy Award as a principal soloist on Hamilton (Original Broadway Cast Recording), which won the 2015 award for Best Musical Theater Album. As a singer, his debut solo album — the self-titled Leslie Odom Jr. — shot to the top of the jazz charts following its June 2016 release. His album of reinterpreted holiday classics, Simply Christmas, climbed sales lists the same year. In February, Odom wowed an audience of more than 100 million television viewers with a soaring rendition of “America the Beautiful” before Super Bowl LII. He’s a familiar face on television, too, with roles on the musical series Smash and crime drama Law & Order: SVU. His acting credits also include appearances in a handful of other shows and movies.

And yet, somehow, his star keeps rising. Odom’s first book — Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning — hits shelves at the end of March. The page-turning work on Odom’s life includes stories to inspire, motivate and empower. “It’s obvious that Leslie Odom Jr. is what is known in showbiz as a ‘triple threat,’” Pontremoli said. “We’re lucky that singing is his first love. That comes across loud and clear when he performs.” Bridgewater stands as a jazz giant after a fourdecade career that includes three Grammy Awards. In 2017, the National Endowment for the Arts honored Bridgewater as a Jazz Masters Fellow during a ceremony at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Her talent carried over to theater, too, where she won a 1975 Tony Award for her role as Glinda in The Wiz — one of her many onstage credits.

The HOT

“Dee Dee is a true force onstage,” Pontremoli said. “She exudes life and energy.” Tickets to the opening night show range from $35 to $95 and can be purchased beginning April 2 through the Playhouse Square Box Office at 216-241-6000 or www.playhousesquare.org.

TICKET

THREE DAYS — EIGHT SHOWS — COUNTLESS MEMORIES WHAT IS JAZZ? The 2018 Tri-C JazzFest reflects the numerous ways that question can be answered.

honoring the tradition,” Pontremoli said. “I know the audience will revel in the spirit of openness this year.”

From a Broadway opening to a hip-hop ending, this year’s eclectic eight-show festival “demonstrates the allencompassing ‘big tent’ that is jazz,” said Terri Pontremoli, director of JazzFest.

The 2018 Tri-C JazzFest runs June 28-30 at downtown Cleveland’s historic Playhouse Square. For a full concert lineup and information on show times, locations and ticket sales, visit www.tri-cjazzfest.com.

The diverse lineup includes Common, Brian Simpson’s Smooth Jazz All Stars, Snarky Puppy, Joshua Redman, Terence Blanchard and others.

Tri-C JazzFest Cleveland is presented by KeyBank and made possible by Cuyahoga Community College, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, Strassman Insurance Services Inc. and a growing list of donors and vendors.

“While some may choose to define jazz as just one thing, the music constantly evolves to push the envelope while

TRI-C TIMES SPRING 2018 27

THE RUNWAY

TO SUCCESS Antonio Bohanon credits Tri-C with helping his career take flight

ntonio Bohanon never imagined himself designing wings for aircraft, but that is what he does as a CNC programmer at NobleTek in Wooster. Nine years ago, Bohanon was a participant in Cuyahoga Community College’s Youth Technology Academy, a one-of-a-kind, STEM-focused high school program that trains students for the technical workforce. There, he saw his passion for engineering and technology flourish. “It really set me up for where I’m at now,” he said. After graduating from Collinwood High School in 2009, Bohanon decided to pursue an electrical engineering degree at the University of Toledo. Three years in, his father passed away. With only one year left to graduation, he made the difficult decision to leave school. Back in Cleveland, Bohanon struggled for direction. His uncle, a CNC machinist, suggested that he look into Tri-C’s Precision Machining program. Bohanon enrolled in the Precision Machining Technology I certificate program at Tri-C in the fall of 2014 and spent 14 weeks working on manual CNC machines. His interest piqued, he enrolled in the second-level certificate program, where he learned about programmable CNC lathes and mills.

28 TRI-C TIMES SPRING 2018

He then moved on to Precision Machining Technology III, completing the program in less than seven months while working full time. Bohanon appreciated Tri-C’s smaller class sizes and the accessibility of instructors and program staff. He was especially thankful for the hands-on learning opportunities the College provides, which suited his learning style better than typical classroom lectures. “We would talk about something in class and then go to the shop floor. Once I saw it a couple of times, it was in my memory,” he said. Bohanon was able to transfer many of his engineering courses from the

University of Toledo and apply them toward an associate degree. These credits, combined with the certificates he earned from Tri-C, left him needing only a few more courses to graduate. In December 2016, he received his associate degree in applied industrial technology. Bohanon’s position at NobleTek, secured with help from Tri-C, allows him to meet with clients across the country and earn certifications in new, complex software. “I wouldn’t have received this opportunity or the attention of the company without the skills and help that Tri-C gave me,” he said.

BEHIND THE SCENES Amanda Fronek Amanda Fronek is director of student engagement at Westshore Campus. She lives in North Ridgeville with her husband and her dog. TRI-C TIMES: When did you take this position with Tri-C, and what did you do before coming to the College? AMANDA FRONEK: I began at Tri-C on March 13, 2017, during a very quiet spring break week at Westshore Campus. It made for a nice adjustment period, as I had a week to get used to my new surroundings before students returned. Prior to coming to Tri-C, I was director of student life and support services at Ivy Tech Community College’s Bloomington Campus in Bloomington, Indiana. I oversaw a comprehensive student development office that included student life, disability support services, retention and alumni outreach. TCT: How would you describe your role with the College? AF: As the director of student engagement at Westshore Campus, I work with our wonderful team to provide an engaging atmosphere that promotes and values cocurricular experiences as part of the foundation of learning. I provide students with opportunities to engage with others at the College, work with faculty to create programs and events that directly link classroom learning to real-world experiences and develop activities that teach students the skills required to thrive as individuals within their communities. My work is retention-

and success-focused, and I try to ensure students see the value in utilizing their limited time to get involved at the College. TCT: What do you like most about your work? AF: I am currently applying for a doctoral program and have been thinking about this a lot. I am trying to figure out what path my career may take and what work I enjoy doing most. I find this question extremely hard to answer, as I enjoy multiple parts of my work — but student success is at the root of everything I enjoy most. Whether I help a student achieve their goal of becoming a student government officer or suggest a change to College processes that directly affects student success, it’s all good stuff. TCT: What are you most looking forward to in 2018? AF: Approaching my one-year anniversary with the College, I am excited to start homing in on what works for student engagement at Westshore and how I can lead student engagement in a positive direction College-wide.

Additionally, I am excited to be participating in the inaugural Leadership Integration for Tomorrow (LIFT) program cohort at Tri-C and look forward to meeting influential leaders at the College and in higher education in general. Lastly, I am thrilled to complete my application and hopefully begin Kent State University’s doctoral program in higher education administration this summer. My mom is currently a student at Tri-C’s Western Campus, and I am excited to be able to share the experience of working while going to school — something she has been doing for years! TCT: What do you like to do in your free time? AF: I enjoy spending time with my husband, Eric, and my dog, Mo. We all enjoy time in the Metroparks and on the walking paths in our neighborhood, both running and playing Pokémon Go (I know, I know). Recently, most of my time has been spent decorating our first home, which we moved into a few days before Christmas. I have also enjoyed spending additional time with family after living out of state for many years.

TRI-C TIMES SPRING 2018 29

#MyTriCStory #MyTriCStory is a series highlighting everyday people in the Tri-C community. Today we get to know Kirah Jefferson, a student at Eastern Campus, and Seong-Ae Mun, a graphic design professor at Western Campus.

Kirah Jefferson #MYTRICSTORY: What’s your major, Kirah? KIRAH JEFFERSON: My goal is pre-mortuary science, but I’m here at Tri-C to get my prerequisites completed. #MTCS: Where do you plan on transferring? KJ: Bowling Green State University. They have the pre-mortuary science program there. #MTCS: You definitely have a plan, then. What do you love about science? KJ: I’ve always been a science kid. Being in the lab, seeing how chemicals react and learning about nature just really interests me.

#MTCS: What do you plan to do with your degree, and why did you choose premortuary science? KJ: I volunteered at University Hospitals when I was 18. While I was there, I got to experience the science of the body after death. I want to be able to perform autopsies and give people answers. It’s definitely not for everyone. You have to be a certain type of person to be able to deal with death — but I really look at it as helping people. #MTCS: How is Tri-C helping you reach your goal?

KJ: Tri-C gives me a lot of resources. There’s a lot to do here. I really want to get involved in campus activities like community service and the honors program because I want to take full advantage of my time here before I transfer.

Seong-Ae Mun #MYTRICSTORY: What makes Tri-C’s Graphic Design program unique? SEONG-AE MUN: This is a two-year program geared toward preparing students for a career. Also, we have a portfolio show at the end of the program to showcase student work. #MTCS: Tell me a little more about the portfolio. SM: In order to graduate, a student must take a portfolio course. The final product of that course is a portfolio show where the student showcases about 12 pieces of their artwork or design work. They can take the portfolio to job interviews as well. A lot of students come back after they graduate to view portfolios. #MTCS: So your graduates are connected to the program even after graduation?

SM: Yes, some students come back as guests or reviewers. At our most recent portfolio show, one of our students who graduated about 10 years ago gave a speech to inspire new graduates. We’ve even had graduates come back and hire current Tri-C students. #MTCS: So, the portfolio show is much more than just a display of work from the program? SM: Oh yes, we have had students get job offers during the portfolio show. We invite potential employers to the show too. #MTCS: What is your favorite thing about teaching at Tri-C? SM: I have a deal with my students: if they get a full-time job or transfer to a four-year school after graduation, I take them out to lunch. Come May, I

To meet more people featured in the series, visit www.tri-c.edu/news-and-events. 30 TRI-C TIMES SPRING 2018

have so many students calling to take me up on my offer. That is one of my favorite things.

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