Tri-C and CMSD Direct Admission Partnership Will Break Down Barriers to Higher Education

Partnership emphasizes postsecondary enrollment and success for CMSD grads

CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) have created a seamless high-school-to-college transition that guarantees every student has equal access to higher education.

Through the Direct Admission Partnership, CMSD students are automatically admitted to Tri-C during the fall of their senior year. Both institutions will focus on equity, simplicity and inclusivity to deliver clear communication and streamlined processes, breaking down barriers to applying to college.

"Together, Tri-C and CMSD are creating a seamless transition from high school to college with robust support that reinforces our shared vision of building a stronger, more educated Cleveland community," said Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D., the president of Tri-C. "We are eager to deepen our partnership with CMSD, and to support their scholars on their academic journeys so they achieve their goals."

"The Cleveland Metropolitan School District is pleased to partner with Tri-C. This exciting and unique partnership aligns with our long-term planning goal to improve student experience and outcomes," said Warren Morgan, Ed.D., the CEO of CMSD. "CMSD’s Core Measures are focused on ensuring success for our scholars beyond graduation. This measure helps make college and career readiness available to all students. We look forward to and are hoping to foster similar partnerships with other colleges and universities that could provide seamless admission to CMSD scholars."

The partnership ensures that graduating CMSD students have a clear pathway to higher education and helps them stay on track to achieve their educational goals by:

• Removing traditional barriers to higher education, such as application fees and complex applications
• Simplifying the admissions process through the efficient use of shared data to eliminate unnecessary steps
• Providing personalized resources, such as advising, wraparound services and financial aid workshops
• Empowering students and families by providing information about financial aid, enrollment steps and affordability

"As part of our Core Values, we challenge our scholars and staff to achieve excellence and realize their full individual potential, and hold ourselves, as staff, accountable for results," said Selena Florence, Ed.D., CMSD Chief Academic Officer. "The partnership with Tri-C provides a virtually seamless process for our students to achieve that level of success, by applying to an exceptional learning institution beyond their experience with CMSD."

Members of the CMSD Class of 2025 were among the first to enroll at the College during signing day ceremonies at the Tri-C Metropolitan Campus from Dec. 9 - 10.

CMSD graduated 75.3% of its students in 2023, of which 40% continued their education at a postsecondary two-year or four-year institution.

More information is available on Tri-C's CMSD web page.

December 10, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: Anthony Moujaes, 216-987-3068 or anthony.moujaes@tri-c.edu