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Tri-C Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Mandel Humanities Center and Expansion of Youth Academy

A new $3 million commitment from the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation deepens investment in civic leadership for Northeast Ohio high school students

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) and the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Mandel Humanities Center — a decade of advancing humanities education, civic engagement and leadership development.

Coinciding with this milestone, the Mandel Foundation is committing an additional $3 million to expand the Mandel Youth Humanities Academy, a summer program for rising high school juniors and seniors. Held annually at the Tri-C Eastern Campus, the academy expands the students' understanding of the humanities and how it applies to their personal lives and long-term educational goals.

This new investment by the Mandel Foundation extends its historic partnership with Tri-C — which began with a landmark $10 million gift in 2015 — and reaffirms a shared commitment to fostering academic excellence and preparing future leaders to strengthen their communities.

The grant will help the Mandel Youth Humanities Academy double the number of students it serves each nine-week summer session; expand the yearlong public project fellowship; increase community outreach in public schools through teacher partnerships; and create new leadership opportunities for students in the Mandel Scholars Academy.

To date, the Mandel Foundation has donated $20 million to Tri-C.

The Mandel Humanities Center at Tri-C celebrates its 10th anniversary with special events taking place through Spring 2026.

Learn more about the Center, Mandel Youth Humanities Academy and this historic relationship.

New Award Honors the Legacy of Robert and Joanne Lewis

Robert and Joanne Lewis Award for Creativity, Innovation and Engagement

Congratulations to Marci Rapp, student liaison, Ohio Options Program — our very first recipient. Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D., presented the award to Marci during the Oct. 17 Tri-C Power of Us all-staff convening.

The Tri-C Foundation is proud to introduce the Robert and Joanne Lewis Award for Creativity, Innovation and Engagement. This prestigious, self-nominated honor recognizes full-time faculty, staff or administrators at Tri-C who exemplify exceptional leadership, scholarship and a deep commitment to positively impacting the College and its students. The award and prize honor the first trustee, Robert L. Lewis, and his wife, Joanne Lewis, both lifelong advocates for civic transformation and community impact.

Robert L. Lewis led an effort to raise funds from the philanthropic and business community that laid the foundation for Tri-C's founding. During his 17-year tenure as a College trustee, Lewis served as Board chair, created a unique Scholar-in-Residence program, and helped to establish the Faculty Symposium and Honors program. He was the keynote speaker for the first Presidential Scholarship Luncheon in 1992.

Joanne Lewis founded the Global Issues Resource Center, a nonprofit based at Tri-C. Today, as the Global Issues Resource Collaborative, her vision continues through its resources and learning opportunities that encourage a global approach to addressing local, national and international issues. Joanne also founded the Robert L. Lewis Academy of Scholars at Tri-C to offer high-achieving students the opportunity to learn at the honors level.

The criteria for the Robert and Joanne Lewis Award for Creativity, Innovation and Engagement reflect their values and passions:

• Creativity and Innovation that create meaningful change or improvement
• Engagement and Civic Transformation to advance student success
• Leadership and Scholarship to foster a culture of learning and academic excellence, inspiring others
• Community Engagement to bring people together and promote collaboration to foster community connections

Tri-C is grateful for the leadership and support of these two remarkable people and is honored to preserve their legacy through this award.

Tri-C Foundation Presidential Scholarship Luncheon Raises $1 Million

Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson headlines event to benefit students

Cleveland Cavaliers coach Kenny Atkinson discussed success, strategy and persistence while helping the Tri-C Foundation raise funds for students during its Presidential Scholarship Luncheon. Atkinson, the reigning NBA Coach of the Year, appeared before 800 people at the annual luncheon during his keynote address.

The Foundation's 2025 Presidential Scholarship Luncheon raised $1 million. Since its inception in 1992, the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon has raised more than $26 million to provide critical funds that help Tri-C students in need with the financial support to achieve their academic goals. The annual luncheon, presented by PNC Bank, took place on Sept. 24 at the Hotel Cleveland on Public Square. Tri-C President Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D., facilitated the dialogue with Atkinson.

"The Presidential Scholarship Luncheon is a powerful platform to celebrate our students and make a lasting impact on their lives while hearing from people who empower them to persist," Baston said. "Coach Atkinson shared a wealth of experience about his success and his resilience. The audience gravitated to the lessons on how he has personally and professionally overcome obstacles."

Funds raised through the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon will support scholarships and help launch the Resilient Scholar Fund, an initiative designed to remove the non-tuition barriers that so often derail students' dreams. The Resilient Scholar Fund will provide targeted financial support to help students overcome these challenges before they become emergencies.

$1 Million Gift From Medical Mutual Launches Resilient Scholar Fund

Fund will help students facing financial hardships overcome challenges and remain on track

To remove the unexpected, non-tuition barriers that often derail students' dreams, the Tri-C Foundation announced a $1 million donation from the Medical Mutual Charitable Gift Fund to help launch the Resilient Scholar Fund.

Announced during the Presidential Scholarship Luncheon on Sept. 24, the fund will provide targeted financial support to help students overcome these challenges before they become emergencies and stay on track to graduate.

The Resilient Scholar Fund will prioritize students enrolled in programs that prepare them for high-demand industries, such as health careers, nursing, information technology, manufacturing and public safety. In this way, the fund will not only reduce barriers to degree completion but also support the regional economy through workforce development in critical fields.

"This fund focuses on supporting students beyond the classroom," said Tony Helton, president and CEO of Medical Mutual. "As the hometown health insurer, we've seen firsthand how Tri-C empowers individuals to lead and contribute meaningfully to our region's workforce. Every dollar invested with Tri-C is a step toward a stronger, more resilient community. We're proud to deepen our longstanding partnership through this contribution to the Resilient Scholar Fund."

Tri-C Foundation Earns 4-Star Accountability Rating

The Tri-C Foundation has earned a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for high marks in financial practices, impact and measurement, and leadership. Charity Navigator is a trusted assessment nonprofit organization that has evaluated 230,000 U.S. organizations. Its ratings are based on financial stability, accountability, transparency and results reporting. It is the largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities in the U.S.

Tri-C Day 2025 Highlights "Building Bright Futures"

Thank you for giving and celebrating on April 10

Thank you all for your incredible support during our ninth annual Tri-C Day! Your generosity has truly made a difference in shaping brighter futures for our students. We surpassed our goal of 1,200 donors in just 24 hours and raised more than $233,000 from 1,261 donors. This extraordinary accomplishment reflects the strength and unity of our community and highlights your commitment to our students' success.

Some of our favorite highlights included on-campus events, such as athletics challenges, Tri-C swag fashion shows and giving trees, and collecting testimonials from students, faculty and staff. The Tri-C Foundation's board of directors kicked off its participation with a lunch with students at Alere. Alumni celebrated and issued a challenge during their Merwin's Wharf gathering. The auction added new experiences and helped boost contributions.

You can still make a Tri-C Day gift anytime! Your support, no matter the amount, is crucial to our students' futures and our community. Thank you for building bright futures for our students.

Your Impact

Tri-C is a driving force for the economic prosperity and future of our region. Your support for student success through the Tri-C Foundation is an investment toward a thriving Northeast Ohio now and for years to come.

Did you know.... 49% of Tri-C's student population is eligible for the Pell Grant, indicating high economic need? Even though Tri-C is the most affordable institution in Ohio, without scholarship support, many students would not be able to afford the cost of tuition. 

Students earning degrees and credentials from Tri-C can move themselves and their families from poverty to prosperity.

Office of Resource Development and the Tri-C Foundation

The Tri-C Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) organization established in 1973. The mission of the Foundation is to provide resources for advancing student success at Tri-C and transform the lives of those the College serves. The vision is to ensure Tri-C has the resources needed to help every student learn, thrive, succeed and create a prosperous community for all.