Cuyahoga Community College's New Initiative to Enhance Student Success and Economic Mobility

Cuyahoga Community College Launches New Support Program

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C), one of Ohio's largest community colleges, has announced an innovative support program designed to enhance student retention and graduation rates. In collaboration with the nonprofit organization One Million Degrees and Complete College America, Tri-C aims to address the key challenges students face while pursuing their college degrees, particularly in light of the demanding work, family, and financial commitments many students juggle.

As part of a national initiative, this program implements a holistic support model aimed at not only helping students complete their studies but also facilitating their transitions into meaningful careers. Tri-C's president, Michael Baston, emphasized the commitment of Tri-C students to their education, acknowledging the significant barriers they often encounter. He stated, "By joining this national initiative, we create conditions for every student to thrive on their journey toward earning a valuable credential and achieving long-term economic mobility."

Addressing Challenges Facing Community College Students

With nearly 40% of all undergraduates enrolled in community colleges, it is startling to learn that less than half of these students complete their degrees within three years. These figures are particularly concerning for low-income students and those who are managing multiple responsibilities. In fact, with the rapid growth of job requirements that now necessitate training beyond high school, tackling these completion barriers has never been more urgent.

In its new partnership with One Million Degrees and Complete College America, Tri-C has joined the second cohort of OMD | CCA National Expansion and Transformation (NEXT). This initiative focuses on fortifying student success and fostering a national movement to aid community colleges across various regions by implementing proven support models.

The core of this new effort involves combining direct student support services with institutional assistance to ensure sustainability and growth. This support model includes proactive coaching, academic guidance, career navigation, and financial aid, all backed by rigorous research from the University of Chicago's Inclusive Economy Lab. The findings indicate that students receiving such support have significantly higher rates of persistence and degree completion, as well as improved long-term employment outcomes compared to their peers.

A Focus on Integration and Implementation

Starting in the fall of 2026, Tri-C plans to embed the One Million Degrees program model into its first-year student experience, committing to support participants through graduation and beyond. To facilitate this integration, One Million Degrees will provide direct training and operational assistance to ensure a successful rollout of the program.

Dr. Aarti Dhupelia, CEO of One Million Degrees, remarked on the importance of community colleges as key drivers of opportunity. She noted, "With over two decades of experience, we've witnessed the transformative impact of surrounding students with the right combination of academic, career, and financial support. Our collaboration with Tri-C enables us to extend our reach and help even more students realize their educational and professional goals."

In tandem with these efforts, Complete College America will offer hands-on coaching, technical assistance, and guidance to enhance the effectiveness of the model. The partnership is built upon strengthening data-driven strategies, improving policy frameworks, and streamlining AI governance, all aimed at delivering coordinated support at scale.

Dr. Yolanda Watson Spiva, president of Complete College America, emphasized the importance of supportive systems in higher education. She stated, "The true measure of education's success is the ability of institutions to assist students in completing their programs in a timely manner. Our partnership with Tri-C exemplifies the commitment to not leave student outcomes to chance but instead to invest in the necessary infrastructure ensuring successful completions."

Conclusion

In summary, this new initiative at Cuyahoga Community College represents a significant step forward in addressing the barriers that hinder student success. By providing targeted support and resources, Tri-C is poised to make a lasting impact on the lives of its students, ultimately contributing to the economic mobility of the communities it serves. As the program rolls out over the coming months, Tri-C, One Million Degrees, and Complete College America are dedicated to fostering a more supportive environment for students to achieve their academic and career aspirations.