Cleveland Colleges Continue Navigating Online Learning

Tri-C EVP Karen Miller shares College's approach to online learning in 'Cleveland Magazine' interview

When colleges and universities were forced to pivot to online learning at the onset of the pandemic in March 2020, the modality accommodated a wider spread of students. However, after five years, higher education institutions still find engaging online students at the same level as in-person students challenging.

Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) Provost and Executive Vice President Karen Miller, Ph.D., explains Tri-C's approach to online learning in an interview with Cleveland Magazine. At the onset of the pandemic, the College built tools to virtually connect students to support services and prepared them to become online learners with software to acclimate them to virtual classrooms.

But even with those tools, online connectivity differs from the in-person experience.

"You have to work a little harder to be engaged online," said Miller.

"Retention data across the country shows students who are meeting with other students and faculty on ground, at least for some of their coursework, are more engaged and retained at a slightly higher rate," Miller said.

Miller pointed out that students lean toward online learning as those classes fill up first. While online learning isn't ideal for every student, some thrive in that environment.

"There are online students who are always first to raise their hands in a group discussion, and more reticent students might have a lot to say," Miller said.

Read the entire story on Cleveland Magazine's website (clevelandmagazine.com).

April 24, 2025

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