Northeast Ohio’s four community colleges – Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), Lakeland Community College, Lorain County Community College (LCCC), and Stark State College – have teamed up to highlight the smart path forward they provide students, employers, and our region.

Collectively, the four community colleges educate more than 92,000 students per year including young people right out of high school, working adults, veterans, adults training for a new career and ambitious high-school students who are getting a jump on college.

They choose TRI-C, Lakeland, LCCC, and Stark State because of the highly affordable, quality education and the pathways they provide, which lead to certificates, degrees, and most importantly good jobs.

While they already partner on various grants and programs, and work together to identify cost savings in specific fields such as IT and advanced manufacturing, the community colleges recognized they could do more together.

With more than two-thirds of all jobs in the economy requiring postsecondary education and training beyond high school by 2020, these four community colleges are very mindful of their critical role in the region. Their collaboration on #SmartPathFWD demonstrates their commitment to teaching students, training workers, and ensuring our region has the skilled workforce necessary for NE Ohio to compete and succeed.

You may have seen billboards congratulating community college graduates and yard signs adorning the lawns of students who took a smart path forward. This is just the kick-off to highlight the collaboration.

Stay tuned for more initiatives, and more ways Tri-C, Lakeland, LCCC, and Stark State are helping NE Ohioans start their #SmartPathFWD.

By: Jessica Novak, Office of Marketing and Communications