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A PUBLICATION OF CUYAHOGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE SUMMER 2016

Tri-C Honors Graduates at SPRING COMMENCEMENT

College Readiness Programs Promote a Brighter Future for Northeast Ohio

Tri-C Massage Therapy Program is a Popular Health Care Career Option

T Message from the President

his May, the most recent graduates of Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) marched in the Spring 2016 Commencement ceremony. The graduating class included a large number of completion scholarship recipients, along with six members of the All-Ohio Academic Team. All told, students petitioned the college for nearly 2,900 degrees and certificates. Our campuses and centers are exciting places where the student experience is being redesigned to improve student success. This commitment to educational innovation has led to historic graduation rates and a larger number of students graduating in a timely manner. In fact, between 2012 and 2015, the College’s graduation rate increased by 250 percent, with further growth anticipated for 2016. The number of workforce credentials has also increased — more than 1,300 were awarded in 2015, a twofold increase over the previous year. Tri-C’s inaugural class of Honors Program Fellows also graduated this spring. These 11 students enrolled in August 2014 and signed a pledge to complete their degrees within two years. All plan to pursue bachelor’s degrees at four-year universities. All of our graduates have demonstrated their commitment to academic achievement and excellence. Many have managed to balance their studies with work and family obligations, making difficult decisions about time and resources in order to reach their goals. Within these pages, you will read about graduates who used their time at Tri-C to overcome language barriers, explore different career paths to find their true passions and discover talents and strengths they never knew they had. You will read about an Army veteran who came back to school after many years to earn his Ohio Commercial Driver’s License, and about a student who came to the College directly from high school to minimize debt on his way to a master’s degree. You will also read about a young woman who, discouraged by her experience at a four-year university, eventually found her way to Tri-C and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Center. I know you will be inspired by these stories, and I trust that you will be as excited as we are to welcome our newest graduates as they apply their newfound knowledge to make a positive impact in our community. Sincerely,

Alex Johnson, Ph.D. President

TRI-C TIMES SUMMER 2016 3

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

SU MMER 2 016

COVER STORY: TRI-C HONORS GRADUATES AT SPRING COMMENCEMENT Students petitioned the College for nearly 2,900 degrees and certificates.

Corporate College® East 4400 Richmond Road Warrensville Hts., Ohio 44128 Corporate College® West 25425 Center Ridge Road Westlake, Ohio 44145 District Administrative Services 700 Carnegie Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115

COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAMS PROMOTE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR NORTHEAST OHIO

TRI-C MASSAGE THERAPY PROGRAM IS A POPULAR HEALTH CARE CAREER OPTION

College Pathways Programs leverage successful student outcomes

Growing program attracts students with diverse interests

Eastern Campus 4250 Richmond Road Highland Hills, Ohio 44122 Hospitality Management Center of Excellence 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 Tommy LiPuma Center for Creative Arts 2809 Woodland Ave. Cleveland, Ohio 44115 Truck Driving Academy Heritage Business Park 23555 Euclid Ave., Suite 105 Euclid, Ohio 44117 Unified Technologies 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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18 Editor Mary Gygli Copy Editors Beth Cieslik John Horton Jarrod Zickefoose Writers Beth Cieslik Mary Gygli John Horton Jarrod Zickefoose Photographers Joe Darwal Jeff Forman Tamara London Janet Macoska Jason Miller David Richard Michelle Thomas Cody York

14 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 3 UPFRONT 5 COMMENCEMENT 6 FITNESS TESTING 12 MASSAGE THERAPY 14 RNC 16 COLLEGE PATHWAYS 18 FOUNDATION 20 ALUMNI 22 FACULTY 24 2016 TRI-C JAZZFEST 26 ROBOTICS 28 BEHIND THE SCENES 29 BREATHE FREE TRI-C 30 #MYTRI-CSTORY 30

Diamond Domination

Rashida Harris

All-American Effort Cuyahoga Community College shot putter Rashida Harris earned All-American honors in record-breaking fashion while competing at the NJCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Texas. Harris placed third in the shot put with a throw of 50 feet, 1.75 inches, which set a new Tri-C record. The freshman from Euclid is the first shot putter at the College to surpass the 50-foot mark. Earlier this year, Harris earned AllAmerican honors in shot put at the NJCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships. She placed fifth at indoors with a throw of 48 feet, 1.25 inches. “Rashida is unbelievably strong,” said Don Cox, the College’s longtime track coach. “When you add in the fact that she may be one of the most coachable athletes we’ve had at Tri-C, you understand why she’s so successful.” Harris also placed 11th in discus at nationals with a personal-best throw of 134 feet, 6 inches. She is studying physical therapy at Tri-C.

Tri-C played some of the best baseball in the nation this spring. The Challengers climbed as high as sixth in the national rankings while rolling to a 47-14 record. Team Teal claimed the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference championship and scored an invitation to the NJCAA Regional XII baseball tournament. Walk-off victories, clutch hitting and sizzling pitching defined the season, Manny Rodriguez which produced enough highlights to fill an hourlong SportsCenter on ESPN. How hot were the Challengers? At one point, they put together an 18-game winning streak that lasted a full month. The team followed that up with a 14-game stretch that ended with celebratory high fives. All those wins led to multiple honors. Second baseman Manny Rodriguez earned 2016 Player of the Year honors from the conference. He batted .375 during the season and ranked among the top sluggers with six home runs, four triples and six doubles. Rodriguez also scored 43 runs and added 32 RBI. The OCCAC also honored Tri-C’s Evan Agona as Coach of the Year. Agona injected energy into the program immediately after arriving at the College. In his two seasons as skipper, the team is 83-34. Four other players earned conference honors, including pitcher Max Lavisky, relief pitcher Juan Perez, outfielder Matt Starcovic and catcher Gabriel Vargas. The conference title won by the Challengers is their first since 2013 and sixth since 1989. The Challengers play their home games at Ron Mottl Field at Tri-C’s Western Campus in Parma, where the team went 29-0 this season.

Top Of Her Game Tri-C softball shortstop Serena Tucciarelli caught a big honor this season. The Ohio Community College Athletic Conference (OCCAC) named Tucciarelli its 2016 Player of the Year for her work on the diamond. The freshman led the Challengers (22-14) to a second-place finish in the conference standings. Serena Tucciarelli Tucciarelli batted .427 while leading the OCCAC with 53 hits — a total that included three home runs, five triples and nine doubles. She also added 21 RBI and scored 34 runs for the Challengers. “Serena has been phenomenal at every phase of the game, from fielding to hitting to being a leader in the dugout,” said head coach Bryan Komlos. “She works hard and it shows in the results.” Tucciarelli, of Garfield Heights, is pursuing an Associate of Arts degree from Tri-C. Three teammates joined Tucciarelli in earning all-conference honors, including centerfielder Nicole Ferrara, pitcher Courtney Saville and catcher Jamie Wilson. TRI-C TIMES SUMMER 2016 5

Tri-C

HONORS GRADUATES at Spring Commencement

STUDENTS PETITIONED TO RECEIVE NEARLY 2,900 DEGREES AND CERTIFICATES

uyahoga Community College celebrated the academic achievements of nearly 2,900 petitioning graduates during its Spring Commencement on May 19. The College conferred 2,892 associate degrees and certificates of completion at the graduation ceremony, making this one of the largest classes in Tri-C history. The total reflects the College’s commitment to student success. “These newest graduates are poised to achieve in the workforce or continue their education on a solid footing having saved thousands of dollars by starting at Tri-C,” said Alex Johnson, College president. “They truly have chosen the smart path forward.” Nicole Kobak of Medina was the student speaker at the commencement. The teen took advantage of the state’s College Credit Plus program and earned two degrees from Tri-C — an Associate of Arts and an Associate of Science — before graduating from high school. Kobak intends to transfer to Baldwin Wallace University in the fall to continue her studies. Her goal is to earn a master’s degree in medical science and become a physician’s assistant in the field of dermatology. The College awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters to Jerry Sue Thornton during the ceremony to recognize her commitment to Tri-C, its students and the community. Thornton served as Tri-C’s president from 1992 to 2013, a period marked by unprecedented institutional growth and development. She continues to serve Greater Cleveland and its residents through her work on numerous boards.

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SHARMAYNE SCHAFFER

or four back-breaking years, Sharmayne Schaffer hoisted trays heavy with enchiladas, burritos, tacos and other zesty fare while serving tables at Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant in Warrensville Heights. “I can remember saying to myself, ‘I don’t want to do this for the rest of my life,’” the 30-year-old said. “I knew I had more in me.” So she crossed the street and unlocked her potential at Cuyahoga Community College. Schaffer thrived after enrolling three years ago at Tri-C’s Eastern Campus, located within sight of Abuelo’s at the corner of Richmond Road and Harvard Road in Highland Hills. She graduated in May with an Associate of Arts degree and numerous academic honors. She was named a 2016 Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team Scholar, a national award recognizing students for leadership, community service and academic excellence. Judges considered more than 1,900 students for the honor. In addition, the Garfield Heights resident earned a spot on the All-Ohio Community College Academic Team, which honors top students at the state’s twoyear schools. “My time at Tri-C,” Schaffer said, “has been better than I ever could have imagined.” She found that success during her second try at college. After graduating from Trinity High School in 2004, Schaffer signed up for classes at John Carroll University. The tuition proved crushing. She left after one year with thousands of dollars in debt. Afterward, Schaffer spent a year in California pursuing an acting dream and took various restaurant jobs to whittle away at her debt. She said the time away from school positioned her to succeed on her return. “When I look back now, I’m thankful I was out for so long,” Schaffer said. “I’ve lived life and understand why college is so important. It made me more determined and dedicated to my studies.” It shows, too. Schaffer entered her final semester at Tri-C with a 3.68 GPA. She immersed herself in the college experience, joining the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society at Eastern Campus. Schaffer was eventually named president of the award-winning chapter. Her interest in journalism led her to The Voice, the College’s independent student newspaper. She started as a writer for the publication and ascended to the campus editor position.

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Schaffer also was selected for the inaugural class of future leaders attending Tri-C’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Center. The center opened in January at Eastern Campus. Tri-C launched the center to offer a unique liberal arts learning environment and cultivate civically responsible citizens to lead the region toward a stronger future. Schaffer said she has seen changes in herself since becoming a Mandel Scholar. “I’m much more confident,” she said. She called the leadership program “Training 101” for her future aspirations. Her career goal is to someday open a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring young women in Greater Cleveland. She plans to transfer to Case Western Reserve University after graduating from Tri-C to work toward a bachelor’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies. “A lot of important people in my life pushed me to do the things I’ve done,” Schaffer said. “I want to be that person for others. I want to give back. That’s my passion. That’s my calling.”

ENZO ZACCARDELLI

erfection escaped Enzo Zaccardelli at Cuyahoga Community College… but not by much. Zaccardelli carried a 3.98 GPA as he marched toward May’s commencement ceremony and an Associate of Arts degree at Tri-C. He earned an ‘A’ in every Tri-C course but one — Physical Geography Lab during the first semester of his first year. “I got my ‘B’ out of the way early,” said Zaccardelli, who attended classes at the College’s Western Campus near his home in Parma. “What can you say? It happens.” His academic work, though, brought accolades that don’t just “happen” for most students. Zaccardelli was honored as a 2015 Coca-Cola Leader of Promise Scholar in recognition of his scholastic achievement and leadership. He was one of only 207 students from across the nation selected for the award. He followed that up by being one of 55 students named to the All-Ohio Community College Academic Team earlier this year. The team recognizes standouts at the state’s two-year schools. Zaccardelli enrolled at Tri-C immediately after graduating from Parma’s Padua Franciscan High

School. He chose the College to take advantage of its academic programs while minimizing debt as he worked toward advanced degrees in anthropology. He said he took almost every class available on the subject while at Tri-C. Zaccardelli intends to transfer to Cleveland State University in the fall to continue his studies. Ultimately, he wants to earn a master’s degree. Zaccardelli views anthropology as a way to encourage cultural understanding: “It’s about understanding different perspectives,” he said. “If you break down barriers, you make the world a better place.” And that sounds perfect.

RACHAEL HOCKENBERRY

achael Hockenberry learned about herself at Tri-C. Unsure of what she wanted to do after graduating from Olmsted Falls High School in 2010, Hockenberry enrolled at the College and explored numerous interests. She changed paths several times before finding her niche in a business class. Hockenberry said she transformed at Tri-C, where she was selected for the inaugural class of future leaders at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Center. She also was involved with Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and the Robert L. Lewis Academy of Scholars. “I never expected my experience here to fundamentally change who I was,” she said. “Being so involved and surrounded by other students who want to make a difference helped mold me into someone who wants to volunteer, to get involved, to be an advocate.” After graduating with an Associate of Arts degree, Hockenberry intends to transfer to a four-year school to study business and sustainability. TRI-C TIMES SUMMER 2016 9

BRUCE McCANN

ruce McCann enrolled in a Cuyahoga Community College workforce training program earlier this year to relearn some old skills. “It all came back to me,” McCann said. Like riding a bike… only this “bike” weighs 20 tons and measures 68 feet long. McCann spent four weeks last winter at Tri-C’s Truck Driving Academy at Heritage Business Park in Euclid. He graduated in February, earning a certificate of completion from the College and state. He took — and passed — his Ohio Commercial Driver’s License test after completing the course and immediately landed a job driving for McElroy Truck Lines, where he’ll make deliveries throughout the Midwest. “The job I landed was through Tri-C,” said McCann, who considered several other offers before signing with McElroy. “Everything worked out perfectly. This whole experience far exceeded my expectations.” McCann was one of the first to go through Tri-C’s Truck Driving Academy under a federal grant to help train veterans for jobs as commercial drivers. The Macedonia resident served in the U.S. Army from 1984 to 1988. The grant covered the $5,495 cost to enroll in the training program. McCann said he learned about the

First Class of

HONORS PROGRAM FELLOWS Graduates from Tri-C

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opportunity while searching online for truck driving classes. He worked in manufacturing the past 15 years but wanted a career change. “I drove trucks for a few years after I left the Army, so I understand the business and what type of work it is,” said McCann, 50. “I thought it would be a good fit for me and something I could excel in again.” McCann will be one of 40 veterans to receive free training at Tri-C through the grant, which was awarded to the College late last year by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Twenty-one months after signing academic commitment letters with Cuyahoga Community College, members of the inaugural Honors Program Fellowship class delivered on that penned promise. Eleven of the Honors Program Fellows crossed the stage at Tri-C’s Spring Commencement on May 19. They all enrolled at Tri-C in August 2014 with scholarships designated for highachieving high school graduates and covering tuition, fees and books.

Students accepted into the program pledged to earn a degree from the College within two years. Mission accomplished. “We expected academic excellence from these students as they entered Cuyahoga Community College,” said Herbert Mausser, assistant dean of Honors and Experiential Learning Programs. “They certainly delivered.” As a group, the graduates entered their final semester with a cumulative 3.75 GPA. They also amassed numerous

NADIA BERAUN

adia Beraun was just a preschooler when her father left Peru in search of a better future in the United States. Twelve years passed before the family could journey north and join him. The long-awaited reunion took place in Cleveland in the summer of 2011. But soon after the family joined back together under the same roof, the household was torn apart as her parents divorced. Amidst all the change, Beraun kept a focus on education thanks to her high school counselor. Beraun, who received an Associate of Arts degree from Tri-C at Spring Commencement, now wants to become a school counselor so that she can help others. “I went through some hard times, but I found support when I most needed it,” said Beraun, 21, of Cleveland. “My counselor showed me the opportunities that existed. I knew if I went for it, I could succeed.” Beraun enrolled in Tri-C’s English as a Second Language program after graduating from Cleveland’s Thomas Jefferson International Newcomers Academy. She began taking credit classes after becoming more confident in her language skills. While at Tri-C, Beraun served as a student ambassador at the Western Campus in Parma. After commencement, she intended to transfer to

academic honors on their way to earning associate degrees from the College. Honors Program Fellows graduates are Sela Cunningham from Fairview Park, Mariam Ghanem from Westlake, Emilie Griffin from Bedford, Connor Hazeldine from Bay Village, Morgan Jenkins from Cleveland, Joseph Massaroni from Parma, Robert Scuba from Cleveland, Sarah Shalala from Barberton, Zachary Toth from Parma, Christina Watson from North Royalton and Julia Watson from North Royalton.

Cleveland State University to continue her studies and pursue a bachelor’s degree in psychology. “I grew up knowing the importance of education,” Beraun said. “My mom pushed me to put school first, and others helped me along the way. I am so much farther ahead thanks to the motivation that I received.” And in the future, she wants to return that favor.

All 11 now plan to pursue bachelor’s degrees in their fields of study. The College designed the fellowship program to support student transfer to a four-year institution to pursue advanced degrees. The fellowship places special emphasis on academic planning and mentoring. “I am so proud of these students,” Mausser said. “They made Tri-C their first option for a college education, and now their options for further study are wide open.” The scholarships — valued at up to $4,250 per year — are funded through

donations to the Cuyahoga Community College Foundation. The goal is to expand the program to up to 80 students a year.

For more information on the Honors Program Fellowship and eligibility requirements, contact Mausser at 216987-4660 or herbert.mausser@tri-c.edu.

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TRI-C SPORT AND EXERCISE STUDIES PROGRAM LAUNCHES FITNESS

TESTING AND TRAINING SESSIONS AT EASTERN CAMPUS

Five-week session open to public during academic year

ersonal fitness is so ingrained in our collective consciousness that it is hard to fathom a time when this was not the case. Prior to the 1980s, however, fitness lived primarily in the realm of athletics. The 1982 release of Jane Fonda’s first workout video, Workout: Starring Jane Fonda, is widely considered to have helped launch a burgeoning individual fitness craze that has exploded over the subsequent three decades. While the desire to be physically fit seems simple enough, the training involved is anything but. Fitness professionals help their clients to not only achieve personal fitness, but to maintain a healthy lifestyle, reduce health care costs, and tackle cardiac and physical rehabilitation as well. Cuyahoga Community College offers an associate degree program in Sport and Exercise Studies to train the trainers of tomorrow. Launched in 2008, the program consists of a number of different components, including fitness testing and training, corporate wellness, sport management and fitness/wellness coaching. It offers an opportunity to gain practical experience, complete an internship and receive continuing education units and transfer credits through articulation agreements with other colleges. “Sometimes the most challenging thing is the hands-on experience,” explains program manager Chris Faciana. “With this program, we have students doing internships that provide them with interactive experience outside of the classroom.” Students have worked with the Lake Erie

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Monsters and Cleveland Gladiators and have served as fitness trainers for students and community members as part of Tri-C’s popular new five-week personal training program. The Fitness Testing and Training Center at Eastern Campus provides Sport and Exercise Studies students the opportunity to lead small-group personal training sessions under the supervision of certified instructors. Assessments and developing personal training programs help the up-and-

coming trainers put their knowledge into practice. The low cost and first-rate facilities make it a win for participants. Along with the traditional rows of treadmills, exercise bikes and elliptical machines, other high-tech components make the gym setting look like something out of Star Wars. The tube-shaped Bod Pod plays a key role in physical assessments, using whole-body densitometry to determine body composition (fat and fat-free mass) and measures the percentage

TRI-C HELPS VICTORIA MONTEIRO TURN HER NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION INTO REALITY of body fat, resting metabolic rate and total energy expenditure. The VibeCage, meanwhile, uses vibration technology for rehabilitation and flexibility. Faciana notes that a complete assessment also includes heart rate, blood pressure, muscular fitness and flexibility testing.

Victoria Monteiro marked the onset of 2016 with a resolution to get healthy and in shape. New Year’s Day came and went, though, and the promise to herself remained little more than a good intention. Victoria Monteiro “I was slow getting myself moving,” Monteiro said. Then she clicked open an email while working in her office at Tri-C, where she is metrics and budget coordinator in the College’s Integrated Communications Department. The message changed the trajectory of her daily routine and threw her stalled resolution into overdrive. That email shared news that staff could participate in an inaugural fitness training program led by Sport and Exercise Studies students at the College. The program offered the support of a personal trainer at state-of-the-art campus gyms plus a fitness regimen developed specifically for each participant — all for a nominal fee. Monteiro signed up immediately. Results quickly followed. In the first eight weeks of the program, she lost 19 pounds and participated in her first 5K race. Student trainer Brandon Francisco helped Monteiro incorporate running and exercise around a work schedule spent dealing with budget spreadsheets. She went from not working out at all to heading to the gym multiple days per week.

PERSONAL TRAINING Tri-C staff, faculty, students and the public may participate in the student trainer-led Personal Training packages during the academic year. Registration is based on availability. Upcoming sessions will be held Monday evenings at 6 p.m. and Thursdays at noon; dates to be determined. The Fitness Testing and Training Center is located in the Student Services building (room 2511) on Tri-C’s Eastern Campus at 4250 Richmond Road in Highland Hills. Call 216-987-4822 or email christopher. faciana@tri-c.edu for more information.

INTERESTED IN PURSUING AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE IN SPORT AND EXERCISE STUDIES?

Visit www.tri-c.edu/sport

A routine was soon established. On Mondays, Monteiro worked with Francisco at the Eastern Campus gym. Tuesdays brought her to a yoga class at her downtown office building and Thursdays meant a return trip to Eastern Campus to work out on her own. On weekends, she went to her personal gym and took advantage of a membership she rarely used before. The mother of two based most of her exercise sessions around a 45-minute routine created by Francisco that included walking on an indoor track, weight training and ample use of treadmills and stair-climbing machines. Christie Pendleton, another student trainer, helped Monteiro incorporate interval training — walking and running different distances — and very specific resistance training into the mix. “At first I was tired and sore,” Monteiro said of the activities. “But I started to have more energy, more mental alertness and a better sleep pattern. I just take it one day at a time, but I have really seen positive results.” Her daughters have expressed pride in Monteiro’s efforts and share the same desire to live healthier. Her older daughter, a freshman in college, is a runner who follows a vegan diet. Monteiro’s younger daughter, a seventh-grader, has taken up running and spent more time in the kitchen cooking nutritious meals as she too transitions to a vegan diet. Like any good story, though, there is a plot twist — and it’s an expensive one. “I need to buy new pants and skirts,” Monteiro said with a laugh. “I’ve put it off, but now I just have to do it. My old stuff is literally falling off of me now.”

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TRI-C MASSAGE THERAPY PROGRAM

is a Popular Health Care Career Option Growing program attracts students with diverse interests including holistic health, sports training, business management

hirty-nine year old Nicole Carpenter holds two degrees from Ohio University. She entered college with the goal to heal people. But life threw Carpenter a curveball. She became ill and experienced unplanned weight gain as a result. Due in part to this occurrence, Carpenter became certified as a personal trainer — a track that worked well with her original goal of becoming a healer. As the owner of Moore Fitness Studio in Richmond Heights, she became interested in the massage therapy approach to healing alongside personal training. Although the two disciplines have separate protocols under the State of Ohio Medical Board, knowledge of both is beneficial. After completing Cuyahoga Community College’s Massage Therapy program, Carpenter says understanding the two approaches “makes sense from a business standpoint.” Carpenter liked the program so much that after she graduates in August she plans to go on for an advanced certification. Tri-C’s Massage Therapy program

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Faculty member Brendan Smith with a Massage Therapy class.

is a convenient way for students to start or advance their career by earning a certification, an associate degree or a post-degree certificate. With topics including anatomy and physiology, applied muscularskeletal anatomy, bioethics and small business management along with specific massage elements, the program prepares graduates to run an independent practice or work closely with other health care providers such as physical therapists and chiropractors. Many graduates work for

medical facilities, spas, health clubs or sports teams. At 20 years old, John-Paul Duff is the youngest student in the current Massage Therapy class and will graduate in August. As a sports enthusiast and a Tri-C soccer player, he has had first-hand experience with sports-related injuries. “I know what it’s like being on the other side,” he says. For Duff, there is a satisfaction in seeing how pain relief affects a body when the soft tissue is manipulated through massage. “It’s like a workout

in that the client experiences an endorphin rush. Blood flows to the muscles and flushes out toxins.” Duff says that many clients feel energized post-massage. “It can really turn their day around.” While this outcome sounds simple enough, classes are not. Duff explains, “I tell people ‘don’t think the program is going to be easy.’ It’s a lot of science. But don’t be scared away either. There are phenomenal instructors who really want the students to succeed.” Instructor Brendan Smith concurs. A licensed massage therapist with a degree from The Ohio State University, Smith joined the Tri-C faculty in 2015. “I’ve never been part of a school that is so student-oriented,” he says. “The massage curriculum is about 50/50 in terms of lecture/lab and the massage clinic. You have to pass both. The instructors work together to bring the whole program to students, from anatomy to small business management to actual massage techniques.” Smith cites Tri-C’s stateof-the-art Massage Clinic, located at the Eastern Campus in Highland Hills, as a wonderful way for students to

From left to right: Nicole Carpenter, John-Paul Duff and Nicole Fisher at Tri-C Massage Clinic at Eastern Campus.

gain hands-on technical expertise and a cost-effective option for the public to take advantage of the relaxation benefits of massage. Smith says interest in massage therapy continues to grow and is being prescribed by physicians in areas as disparate as oncology, physical therapy enhancement and obstetrics. As part of the curriculum, Tri-C massage therapy students visit the Cleveland Clinic to see how massage is offered in a health care setting. Nicole Fisher is pursuing a postdegree professional certificate through the program. In her past career, she designed corporate wellness programs. She hopes to become an independent contractor for a massotherapy clinic. She sees massage as beneficial in myriad ways, even simply in terms of relaxation within our workaholic society.

DEGREE/CERTIFICATE OPTIONS: • Associate of Applied Science Degree • Certificate of Proficiency • Post-Degree Professional Certificate • Advanced Short-Term Certificate (for graduates of the Certificate of Proficiency and Post-Degree Certificates)

“No matter what physical state a person is in, a relaxation massage positively affects the nervous system immediately,” Fisher explains. “Even from passive touch — you can watch it happen, you can just see the client calm down and unwind. It is extremely beneficial to overall health and to achieving a state of balance, which allows natural healing to occur.”

MASSAGE CLINIC: The clinic follows the academic calendar — June through August, September through November and January through April on specific dates and times. Cost to the public is $30 for the spring/summer sessions and $35 for the fall session. To make an appointment at the Massage Clinic, call 216-987-2417.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: • Certificate can be completed in one year • Students who complete may apply for State Medical Board of Ohio licensure after passing the MBLEx exam • Tri-C program grads have had a 100% MBLEx exam pass rate every year since 2012 • Certificate credits transfer to associate degree • High student completion rate • Low tuition

For more enrollment information, visit www.tri-c.edu/massage or call 216-987-4247.

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CLE AMBASSADORS You’re here because you’re attending a convention. Maybe you’ve heard of it? The Republican National Convention (RNC)? What do you do in your down time? Just go to the hotel lobby and ask the friendly CLE Ambassador! Might the ambassador have a Tri-C connection? Really? You need to ask?

HOSPITALITY TRAINING The RNC expects to bring 50,000 visitors to Cleveland. Tri-C helped fill the welcome wagon. The College’s Hospitality Management Center of Excellence partnered with local hotels to create and run training programs to prepare workers to take care of those guests and all who follow.

the

RN CLE TEENHACK

Tri-C hosted high school students for a computer coding “hackathon” that focused on civic engagement. The students spent nine weeks designing an app called CLETeenVote in advance of the RNC and November general election. The College teamed with AT&T and other organizations on the project.

HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT CENTER Tri-C’s beautiful culinary and hospitality industry training center will host RNC visitors in the heart of it all. The center is one of several Tri-C facilities being utilized during the RNC.

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POLITICALLY SPEAKING SERIES Question: What happens when a group of area universities examine the political process? Answer: Pundits, pundits of pundits, logistics, updates, economic impact. The six-part Politically Speaking Series ensured all our questions were pondered by the region’s movers and shakers. (Thanks BW, CWRU, CSU, JCU, KSU, U of A and Tri-C). YOUTH TECHNOLOGY ACADEMY The Cleveland Police Department turned to the best in the business to equip its Bomb Squad in preparation for the RNC. Students from Tri-C’s Youth Technology Academy — which won an international robotics competition this spring (see page 28) — built a specialized robot for use by CPD bomb techs.

NC Tri-C and

NETWORK ENGINEERING The RNC offers a unique “networking” opportunity for students in the College’s Cisco Technical Training Institute. The students will work with Cisco to assist in setting up and tearing down the physical network infrastructure being used at Quicken Loans Arena during the convention.

THE WASHINGTON PROJECT More than a hundred college students — including some from Tri-C — will gain firsthand knowledge of RNC intricacies during a two-week program through The Washington Center. Perhaps the experience will spark the flame for a future political leader. Baldwin Wallace University partnered with Tri-C to make the experience possible for local students. The Cleveland Foundation also provided support.

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College Readiness Programs

PROMOTE A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR NORTHEAST OHIO

igh school and college completion rates are rising in Northeast Ohio, and Tri-C’s College Pathway Programs have helped to drive this increase. College Pathway Programs (CPP) is led by JaNice Marshall, Tri-C’s associate vice president of Access and Community Engagement. CPP enables a smooth transition into college for diverse student populations across the region, including both youth and adults. “Balancing the access, success and completion agenda in higher education has been an intentional and integrated aspect of College Pathway Programs at Tri-C,” said Marshall. “This focus has helped more Northeast Ohio students gain critical skills and experiences to prepare them for broader success within our community.” Serving more than 15,000 K-12 students and over 5,000 adults annually, CPP emphasizes the importance of high school completion and the attainment of higher education or workforce credentials. With an increasing percentage of American job openings requiring a higher level of education, early intervention and support is crucial. CPP maintains partnerships with numerous area school districts but is particularly focused on improving educational outcomes for Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) students. In 2010, CMSD graduated only 52 percent of its high school students. That number is now on the rise, with 66 percent receiving a high school diploma in the 2014-2015 school year. There are 19 different programs under the CPP umbrella, ranging from community-based initiatives to intensive college immersion experiences. All programs are grantfunded and free to participants. Four programs in particular have brought the most success to those involved.

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COLLEGE SUCCESS PROGRAM Launched in 2012, the College Success Program is a partnership between Tri-C and CMSD that prepares students for successful transition into college-level courses. “Many high school graduates place into remedial math and English courses, costing them additional time and money and making it less likely that they will finish college,” said Marshall. “National statistics show that among community college students required to take remedial courses, only one in four completes a degree or certificate.” The program has three components: College Success Outreach Centers (located at six selected CMSD schools) where Tri-C staff work with students to develop individual educational plans; the six-week College Success Summer Academy, which provides accelerated instruction in math, reading and writing; and the First Year Experience,

which pairs freshmen with transition coaches to advise and connect them with support services. Aminat Adebayo, one of the College Success Program’s early participants, earned two associate degrees from Tri-C this spring. She enrolled at the College after successfully completing a Math Bridge course as an East Tech student. Adebayo became involved with campus organizations such as Bridges to Success and Student Support Services, and collaborated with other students to create the Metro African Student Association. She will continue her studies at Case Western Reserve University to become a doctor.

NORTH COAST TECH PREP Tri-C has led the Ohio College Tech Prep Northeast Regional Center since 1991. Although it covers the smallest geographic area, the Northeast Regional Center serves the largest population of the six centers in Ohio.

Jointly managed by the Ohio Department of Higher Education and the Ohio Department of Education’s Office of Career-Technical Education, the center works to increase student access to quality career-technical education pathways that provide opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. “Tech Prep connects young people to incredible opportunities that lead to college completion, industry credentials and sustainable career options,” said Marshall. Curriculum reflects high-demand technical careers in a wide variety of fields, including business, engineering, health sciences, IT, public safety and manufacturing. Grant O’Bryon attended courses in precision CNC machining at Polaris Career Center as a high school junior. Selected for the Swagelok apprenticeship-to-work program during his senior year, he worked on-site 16 hours per week. Swagelok offered O’Bryon a full-time job with full benefits — including education reimbursement — after he graduated. He enrolled at Tri-C while working at Swagelok to pursue an associate degree in applied industrial technology. Thanks to the articulation agreement between Polaris and North Coast Tech Prep, O’Bryon was able to apply earned credits toward his program at Tri-C.

HIGH TECH ACADEMY High Tech Academy (HTA) is a dual enrollment program in which CMSD high school students spend half a day

at their home school and attend classes at Tri-C in the afternoon. Since 2000, HTA has offered a rigorous curriculum designed to develop students’ academic, technical and leadership skills with a concentration on English, reading comprehension, math and information technology. Students can choose classes from various HTA pathways, including business management, engineering technology, health careers and IT. Upon graduation, HTA students can continue their studies and apply credits toward an associate’s degree at Tri-C. More than 850 high school students have earned college credit through HTA since the program’s inception. The admissions process is rigorous — only a limited number of qualified students are admitted each year. Participants must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 15 hours of community service annually.

Services (SSS) is a federally-funded program established at Tri-C in 1979. The program’s focus is to increase retention, graduation and transfer rates for low-income and first-generation college students through intensive academic advising, career planning, financial literacy, social engagement and personal development. SSS served 340 students in the 20142015 academic year, 86 percent of whom continued to the fall 2016 semester. SSS participant and peer tutor Angela Garcia was one of eight Tri-C students named to the All-Ohio Community College Academic Team. She is involved with the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and is a member of the Hispanic Council’s Student Excellence Program and the Black American Council’s Minority Women’s Leadership Initiative. Garcia earned an Associate of Arts this spring and will transfer to the University of Akron to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work. Her ultimate goal is to earn a master’s degree in public policy and administration.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

For detailed information on CPP’s wide array of programs, visit tri-c.edu/ pathways.

One of the longest-running programs offered through CPP, Student Support

COLLEGE PATHWAYS PROGRAMS • ACCESS • Adult Diploma Program • Central State and HBCU Transfer Initiative • College Success Program • Community and Faith-Based Initiative • Gateway to College • High Tech Academy • North Coast Tech Prep • Ohio College Tech Prep Northeast Regional Center • Promise Connection • Saturday Family Academy • Science, Engineering, Mathematics and Aerospace Academy (SEMAA)

• TRIO programs • Educational Opportunity Center • Educational Talent Search • Student Support Services • Upward Bound • Upward Bound Math and Science • Women in Transition

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KULAS FOUNDATION

Helps to Enhance Arts in Northeast Ohio

he Cuyahoga Community College Foundation is grateful for the long-term partnership of the Kulas Foundation, which has provided support to help launch new programs and provide cultural arts experiences to students and the community for more than two decades. Through their support of the Kulas Student Ticket Fund, hundreds of Tri-C students have enhanced their classroom education with the enriching cultural experience of live theatre, dance and musical productions. Performances have been held in such venues as PlayhouseSquare, Severance Hall, Cleveland Play House and Dobama Theatre, among others. Most recently, the Kulas Visiting Artists Program at Cuyahoga Community College has provided opportunities for Tri-C students and community members to enhance their appreciation for jazz and enrich their study of music through workshops

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and coaching sessions. Visiting artists perform with student ensembles, provide community concerts and reach out to area schools throughout the academic year. Participants in the 2015 Tri-C JazzFest Summer Camp had the opportunity to work with artists such as trumpeter Dominick Farinacci; pianist Benny Green; drummer Jeff Hamilton; and bassist/arranger John Clayton. Throughout the past academic year, artist residencies included soprano Kim Nazarian; pianist Bill Cunliffe and drummer Carl Allen. The Kulas Visiting Artists Program also provides industry perspective on enhancing interdisciplinary programs in music performance, technology and the business of music. Support from the Kulas Foundation has made it possible for JazzFest to welcome Terence Blanchard as

artist-in-residence for 2016-2017. With more than 30 recordings and 50 film scores to his credit, Blanchard’s residency is engaging film and music students through performances of his major works and through topical discussions. Another presentation featured Janis Siegel, of Manhattan Transfer, for a teaching residency in partnership with the Israeli three-part vocal group the Hazelnuts. Over the past year, nearly 700 youth, Tri-C students and community members have benefited from master sessions, leaving them enriched and inspired. It is with the long-standing support of the Kulas Foundation that Cuyahoga Community College has provided numerous opportunities for individuals to learn directly from contemporary jazz masters, helping to sustain the vibrant cultural community in Northeast Ohio.

Dominion Foundation Partnership MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY

he Cuyahoga Community College Foundation appreciates the long-term partnership of the Dominion Foundation. Dedicated to improving the physical, social and economic well-being of the communities served by its companies, the Dominion Foundation has provided generous philanthropic support for the College and its students for more than 20 years. Through support of scholarships for student success and funding for both new and enhanced programs at Tri-C, Dominion has made a longterm investment in people and in our community. Their support has enabled the College to enhance its welding laboratory equipment and to develop innovative curriculum in wireless communications and metals joining technology. Funding has also provided equipment and curriculum development support for an energy efficiency use and production monitoring system at the College’s Advanced Technology Training Center. As a dedicated partner for the outreach and education initiatives of Tri-C JazzFest, Dominion has supported the JazzFest Music Camp, which engages the next generation of musicians through hands-on workshops with artists-in-residence. The College’s year-round community outreach activities of JazzFest are enhanced by Dominion and make music education and appreciation a reality for many thousands of individuals. Through its support of the Gap Scholarship Fund, Dominion has helped to enable completion of a college degree for numerous Tri-C

students with demonstrated financial need who may not qualify for federal and state financial assistance for credit instructional programs and/or workforce training programs. Cuyahoga Community College and its Foundation, programs and students have long been championed by Tracy Oliver, Director, Media and Local Affairs for Dominion in Ohio and Tri-C Foundation Director. Her support has ensured an investment in the future of our community and has helped to provide a lasting impact for generations to come.

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Alumna Susan Porter Lauds Scholarships

AS THE KEY TO HER SUCCESSFUL ACADEMIC JOURNEY FROM TRI-C TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY

usan Mason Porter was an entrepreneur in the software and restaurant industries before enrolling at Cuyahoga Community College in January 2010. One of the biggest obstacles she faced when making the decision to go to college was paying for it. Fortuitously, a friend convinced Porter that an affordable path to education could be found through a combination of financial aid and grants. In her first semester, Porter took three online classes with the hope that this would help her ease back into the academic process. Porter’s perseverance paid off and she was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa, the academic honor society for two-year colleges; was accepted into the Robert L. Lewis Academy of Scholars; and received financial support. Porter said, “Being accepted into Tri-C’s Robert L. Lewis Academy of Scholars forged my academic path. The program provided scholarship money which paid for my courses, books, the materials needed to research social justice issues around the globe, and a website that shined a spotlight on the issues I felt were most pressing at the time.” Porter earned her associate degree from Tri-C in 2012 and transferred to the Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations on a full scholarship to pursue her lifelong interests in social justice and human rights. Looking back, Porter is proud of her academic accomplishments but underscores the importance of scholarship support. “There was

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“I am forever thankful for the programs and individuals who invested in me at Tri-C...” — Susan Mason Porter

Susan Mason Porter

no way I could have completed my education in four years had it not been for scholarship money. Working hard to obtain high grades was my job. If I had to work outside of school, I would not have been able to take a full load every semester. I am forever thankful for the programs and individuals who invested in me at Tri-C and at Cornell.” In 2014 Porter returned to Cleveland after earning her Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell. She is currently employed by Linking Employment, Abilities and Potential (LEAP). Along

with her full-time job at LEAP, Porter has been researching best policing practices for former Ohio Lt. Governor and Attorney General Lee Fisher, who serves as CEO of CEOs for Cities and is a member of the Cleveland Police Commission. Porter is an alumni representative on the steering committee for the Robert L. Lewis Academy of Scholars. In addition, Porter is on the board of directors for the Cornell Club of Northeast Ohio where she is actively engaged in building relationships between Cornell and the Cleveland community.

FORMER FACULTY MEMBER BUILDS LEGACY THROUGH

Planned Gift to Benefit Engineering Students

argaret Taber began her career at Cuyahoga Community College in the 1960s, beginning as a part-time engineering instructor. She earned her master’s and her doctorate during her tenure at Tri-C, rising through the ranks as assistant, associate and full professor before ultimately chairing the department. Taber’s commitment to education, particularly the education of women in engineering, stemmed from her experiences with limited educational choices due to her family’s financial situation and her gender. At various points, both proved to be hindrances in her education and her choices moving forward addressed her commitment to removing these barriers for others. In 2012, Taber received the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award in Greater Lafayette. The YWCA stated, “Through her extreme tenacity, enthusiasm for life and reliability, Marge has become a true inspiration for many.” These words aptly describe Taber and her dedication to equality and accessibility in education. Taber and her husband, William, continued their focus on education when they named the Tri-C Foundation in their estate plans. Their gift will benefit students for generations to come through an endowed scholarship fund established to support engineering technology students. The Tri-C Foundation is grateful for the generosity of Margaret and William Taber for this planned gift.

Margaret Taber, circa 1970, photo courtesy of Tri-C Archives.

“Through her extreme tenacity, enthusiasm for life and reliability, Marge has become a true inspiration for many.”

— 2012 YWCA Women of Distinction Award

TRI-C TIMES SUMMER 2016 23

Planting PEACE Tri-C Assistant Professor Jim Funai leads effort to restore Peace Garden of the Nations in the Cleveland Cultural Gardens

im Funai stood at the ceremonial entrance to the Cleveland Cultural Gardens and surveyed the wedge of land. Litter speckled the splotchy grass and cracked walkways. Fallen timbers rested against stone benches. Weeds grew large as shrubs. Neglect scarred every inch of the Peace Garden of the Nations. Funai, an assistant professor of Plant Science and Landscape Technology at Tri-C, took a deep breath. Then he committed to restoring the garden to its deserved splendor. Funai volunteered his time and skills to help the Tyrian Network - the garden’s new sponsor – renovate the park at the corner of East Boulevard and East 99th Street. The launch of the project coincides with the centennial celebration of the Cultural Gardens. “This spot serves as the symbolic heart of the Cultural Gardens,” Funai said. “It should be a statement garden... and it will be when we’re done.” The Peace Garden celebrates all nations and cultures represented in the overall gardens. The main feature is a terrace and monument, beneath which sits an underground vault holding soil from around the world. A semi-circular stone seat with a high-backed design outlines the edge of the terrace. It’s highlighted by a marble “Peace bust” — designed by famed sculptor Henry Hering — that resembles Lady Liberty and sits atop a stone pedestal. The American Legion established the garden in 1936 and rededicated it in 1939. A marker on the spot shares its mission and message.

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“May the intermingled soil of the nations symbolize the united effort of their peoples as they advance to a better understanding,” it reads. “These gardens planned by men who know the horrors of war are dedicated to the brotherhood of man and peace throughout the world.” Funai and landscape architect Eric Brubeck, who has been an adjunct instructor at Tri-C, drafted a plan to honor those noble intentions. The redesign is currently working its way through the approval process with the city. The proposed plan shows gently curved paths drawing visitors toward the monument. In addition, the new design includes a gathering area for

ceremonies and educational programs in front of the terraced monument. Funai said existing sandstone walkways will be salvaged and repurposed in the footpaths, linking the old and new. And, of course, there will be new plantings. The scraggly vegetation currently surrounding the monument area will be replaced with a lush backdrop. The carefully selected trees and shrubbery will provide an evergreen frame to the garden’s focal point. Elsewhere in the garden, Funai chose flowering ornamentals guaranteed to provide dashes of color throughout the growing season. “Something will always be popping,” he said.

Jen Batton, one of the Peace Garden delegates for the Cleveland-based Tyrian Network, approached Funai about the project. Batton knew Funai from her time serving as director of Tri-C’s Global Issues Resource Collaborative. “I knew Jim had the expertise, talent and the strong sense of civic engagement needed to make this happen,” Batton said. “He and Eric have the creative vision to restore this space to its former glory.” Extensive work on the garden probably won’t begin until 2017 following a fundraising drive – cost estimates are in the hundreds of thousands of dollars — and a campaign for skilled volunteers to work on the project (For more

information, visit www.tyrian.net/ peacegarden). In the meantime, Funai and students in Tri-C’s horticulture program continue to invest hours into improving the site. They hauled enough debris to the curb during a spring cleanup to fill 10 truckloads. More work will be done before the One World Day celebration at the Cultural Gardens in August, which will be the culminating event of the centennial year. Funai said the goal is to create a long-term relationship between Tri-C and the Peace Garden. He said the project offers students more than hands-on experience. It provides a link to the world.

“Horticulture is a universal language that unites people across the globe,” Funai said. “Gardening… improving the landscape… making beautiful environments… that’s done on every corner of Earth. “We’re part of something much bigger whenever we dig into the soil. In a way, it’s how we’re all connected. The Peace Garden tells that story.”

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Student Artist Draws a Fine Line FOR 2016 JAZZFEST POSTER

Tri-C’s Marissa Kest begins with fine art and ends with graphic design

Marissa Kest

arissa Kest is no stranger to art. “I have been making art since I was old enough to hold a crayon,” Kest said. By 16, she was taking freelance jobs that she landed by networking with friends and family. She did designs for the Cleveland Metroparks and earned college credit for design classes she took while a student at Mayfield High School.

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This year, at age 23, Kest designed the official poster for the 37th annual Tri-C JazzFest, presented by KeyBank. The poster features an abstracted image of the Playhouse Square chandelier, with visual cues that nod to music. “I like making the jump from fine art and turning it into graphic design,” said Kest, who is studying graphic design at Tri-C’s Western Campus. “I was going to do stained glass and Tri-C JazzFest and have all connected images in between. And I sort of took

the chandelier idea and I drew half a chandelier and thought it was boring. So, I made a subtle chandelier shape, and I filled it with art and jazz music and references to downtown Cleveland . . . It ended up going along the lines of jazzy and art nouveau. “It changed a lot, but that’s graphic design.” She said that her design was initially criticized for not being obvious enough, for the chandelier being difficult to recognize.

“I like making the jump from fine art and turning it into graphic design.” — Marissa Kest

“I never like to assume my audience is stupid,” she said. “You’re supposed to look at it. It’s not supposed to be drawn out for you.” Kest seeks inspiration in nature, taking long walks with sketchbook in hand. She said she likes the design process, taking art from her sketchbooks and transforming it into graphic designs she can share. Kest bartends to help pay for school and invents drinks to keep things interesting. Often, she will develop ads for the drinks, making her boss happy. She commutes 45 minutes each way from her Mayfield Heights abode to attend classes, but it’s worth it, she said, citing the quality of the program and labs at the Western Campus, the way that it has helped her build her portfolio and the attention she gets from her instructors. She said she wouldn’t mind retaking some classes at Tri-C that she has taken elsewhere. Kest is on track to graduate this fall. She said she would love to work as a freelance designer. She is now illustrating a commercial guide to playing piano and creating a brand identity for a startup. She added, however, that she recognizes the benefits a regular paycheck can provide. One thing is certain. “I’m branching out beyond friends and family,” Kest said.

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Tri-C Team Wins

INTERNATIONAL ROBOTICS CHAMPIONSHIP Students from the Youth Technology Academy top field of 20,000

tudents from the Youth Technology Academy at Cuyahoga Community College won the FIRST Robotics Competition Championship, an engineering skills showcase in St. Louis that brought 20,000 participants from around the world. The Tri-C team — comprised of more than two dozen Cleveland Metropolitan School District students — joined with three other schools to form the winning alliance. They are the first Ohio team to place first in the competition. More than 40,000 roaring spectators watched the championship match. “This was a phenomenal ending to a fantastic robotics season,” said George Bilokonsky, executive director of the Youth Technology Academy (YTA). “We are extraordinarily proud and truly inspired by these bright and talented students who worked so hard to triumph.” The winning alliance featured students from the YTA as well as schools from California, Illinois and Virginia. The group competed in 18 matches while advancing through the championship tournament. The competition — now in its 25th year — is designed to introduce high school students to potential careers in engineering, science and technology. This year’s event kicked off in January with an unveiling of the game’s medieval castle theme, FIRST STRONGHOLD. Teams of students worked with professional mentors over six weeks to design and build a robot to compete. Robots scored points by breaching opponents’ defenses and tossing boulders through goals in their tower. Students built the remote-controlled robots — which could weigh up to 120 pounds and stand 4 feet 6 inches tall — using kits with more than 300 parts. NASA’s Glenn Research Center in

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Cleveland sponsored Tri-C’s team, providing funding and a lead mentor on the project. NASA engineer Larry Oberle worked with students as they developed their robot. He has been involved with the program for 14 years. Students on the team represented seven Cleveland high schools: MC2 STEM, East Tech, John Adams, John Marshall, Design Lab Early College, New Tech West and John Hay. Team members included Mason Ali; Yantze Arocho; Aliyah Badgette; Renee Boyd; Richelle Boyd; Domonique Dumas; Mark Goeser; Henry Griffin; Deven Gyure; Mark Hairston; Delorian Harris; Iris Harris; Maurissa Harrison; Joshua Lacy; Johnathan Lin; Tramell Orr; Jonathon Ortiz; Jak’I Respress; Katiushea Rivera; Rico Thompson; Avionne Weaver; Ryan Werner; Arianna West; James Wright; and Peng Zhou. Studies have shown that 88 percent of FIRST Robotics Competition alumni have gone on to college. This year’s participants have access to more than $25 million in scholarship funds available to FIRST students. More than 75,000 high school students from 24 countries competed in the event in the four months leading to the championship.

The Tri-C team received support from Alcoa Foundation, The Abington Foundation, Bank of America, The Eva L. and Joseph M. Bruening Foundation, FIRST, GPD Group, Krish Services Group Inc., The Elizabeth Ring Mather and William Gwinn Mather Fund, National Science Foundation, Nordson Corporation, OhioMeansJobs|Cleveland-Cuyahoga County, The Pentair Foundation, Rockwell Automation, Swagelok, The Denise G. and Norman E. Wells, Jr. Family Foundation and other sponsors. Tri-C mourns the tragic loss of team member Henry Griffin, who passed away following an asthma attack the week before his graduation from East Tech High School.

BEHIND THE SCENES: Angela Keith

ngela Keith is Cuyahoga Community College’s Metropolitan Campus mail czar. Keith, 41, became Metro’s mailroom leader in September 2015 but has been with the College since 1997. She lives in Brooklyn. Her counterparts are Ann Kristof, Western Campus; Dion Corrigan, Eastern Campus; and John Soworowski, Unified Technologies Center. TRI-C TIMES: As a mailroom leader, what are your responsibilities? ANGELA KEITH: My day starts with sorting out the mail from the post office, picking up mail from the P.O. boxes, delivering all mail and parcels to the proper locations and getting signatures for all tracked mail. I put postage on outgoing mail and do monthly reports. I need to make certain that our College mail vehicles are serviced in a timely manner. As a mail leader, I am also responsible for hiring and making schedules for the work-study students. TCT: How much mail do you deal with each day? AK: We get an average of eight to 10 bins of incoming mail daily. Campus mail varies. We receive campus mail twice a day from our driver, Mychal Manson. Latasha Leaks and I deliver once or twice a day. We have a work-study student who helps out. On average, we have three to five bins of outgoing U.S. postal mail daily. Busy times, we have 10 – 15. TCT: What is something about your work that people don’t know? AK: Not all people know about Let’s Make Tracks. It’s an internal tracking

system created to track campus mail and parcels. We have had this paper system in place for many years and it works. A signature is required from pick up to delivery. There have been times we have had to verify a delivery from the receipt. This is free.

TCT: What do you like to do in your free time? AK: I enjoy spending time with my family, going to the park and movies, playing miniature golf and many other fun things.

TCT: What is the best part of your job? AK: The best part of my job, by far, is getting to communicate with colleagues around campus. I love being out and moving.

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Tri-C Adopts 100% Tobacco-Free Policy Action prohibits use of any tobacco product on College grounds beginning in August

uyahoga Community College has adopted a tobacco-free policy that prohibits the use of any tobacco product on College grounds. The policy will go into effect Aug. 8. The Tri-C Board of Trustees unanimously approved the 100 percent Tobacco-Free Campus policy to support a healthy environment for students, staff and visitors at the College. The policy prohibits the use of any tobacco product, including cigarettes, cigars, cigarellos, hookahs, oral tobacco and electronic cigarettes/ vapes. It applies to anyone on any

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College grounds, from buildings to parking lots. The tobacco-free policy will ensure that students and faculty at Tri-C have fresh air and a healthy learning environment and contribute to the well-being of our colleagues, safeguard the environment and assist those who desire to cease using tobacco products. The policy follows a grant from Truth Initiative, the national public health organization responsible for the national Truth® smoking prevention campaign. The grant was awarded to

#mytricstory Tri-C LOVE The Western Campus American Sign Language (ASL) Club/Deaf Interpretive Service program witnessed its first marriage proposal this spring. Ben Bernstein — who graduated in May — proposed through sign language to Yvette Rivera during the last ASL Club meeting. #TriCLove To see more examples of #mytricstory, like Tri-C on Facebook @ facebook.com/tric.edu.

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support the College’s efforts to create a tobacco-free environment. Tri-C’s efforts are part of a growing state and national movement to clean the air on campuses. Currently, more than 1,500 higher education institutions in the United States have gone smoke- or tobacco-free, including 330 community colleges. The College will offer tobacco cessation programs to students and staff as part of its effort. Visit www.tri-c.edu/breathefree for more information.

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