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Getting Started

Whether you want to earn a degree, improve your skills, get certified, train for a new career, or explore a new hobby, you can choose from many programs and courses.

Get Started
What type of student are you? New Student Returning Transfer Visiting International College Credit Plus Non-Credit All Student Types

Classes & Programs

Explore your interests and find a program that puts you on the path to a bright future. Tri-C offers both credit and non-credit courses as well as certificate programs in most career fields.

View all

Degree Programs & Certificates

More than 1,000 credit courses are offered each semester in more than 200 career and technical programs. Tri-C also grants short-term certificates, certificates of proficiency and post-degree professional certificates.

View A-Z Program List

Workforce Training & Professional Development

Tri-C's Workforce Training provides both non-credit and credit training for individuals and businesses to assist individuals with skills leading to employment. Tri-C's Corporate College provides professional development and corporate training opportunities.

Learn more

Community Programming for Adults & Youth

Tri-C offers a variety of affordable and convenient community programs for both adults and youth. These programs are designed to promote individual development.

Learn more
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Optical Dispensary

Optical Dispensary Changing Life through Lenses
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Changing Life through Lenses

Lenses

Essilor’s Changing Life through Lenses® Day at Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®)

More than 10 million children and 90 million adults in the United States are at high risk for vision loss, and many more cannot afford eyeglasses. Poor vision is an obstacle to academic success — especially for children, as 80% of what we learn is processed visually.

As the community’s college, Tri-C has long been committed to addressing the needs of the Greater Cleveland region, including the needs of students and residents of the surrounding area. Tri-C has helped more than 400 patients see clearly while giving Optical Technology students real-world experience. Tri-C's Metropolitan Campus Optical Dispensary is a student-run clinic. During their second and third semesters, Optical Technology students gain experience managing an optical store. As part of their coursework, students design, fabricate and dispense free eyeglasses to those in need.

Tri-C took this commitment a step further in Fall 2022 by partnering with the Essilor Vision Foundation on a Changing Life through Lenses® event. On Oct. 11, 2022, the College provided free vision screenings and glasses to 73 community members. The estimated savings to these patients was more than $15,000. More than 30 volunteers supported the cause. Thanks are due to Dr. Chelsea Des Rosiers, Dr. John Novak and Dr. Josie Kosunick for the free vision screenings; the Essilor Foundation and Essilor team for materials; Darcy Downie of Prevent Blindness Ohio for supporting Tri-C’s Optical Technology program; and Tri-C alumni, students, faculty and staff for volunteering their time.

At Tri-C, we can — and do — change lives.

More than 90 million adults and 10 million children in the United States are at high risk for serious vision loss, but only half visited an eye doctor in the past year. Many more are unable to afford eyeglasses. This includes hundreds of people in Greater Cleveland.

Fortunately, charitable eye doctors around the country and in Northeast Ohio are stepping up to fill the gap — and Essilor Vision Foundation is leading the way. Their Changing Life through Lenses program provides those in need with a free pair of glasses, including frames and lenses, along with a free vision screening from a local eye doctor.

How to reach us

Molly Drenen
216-987-4454
opticaldispensary@tri-c.edu

 

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Cleveland, Ohio 44115

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