Tri-C Direct Admission Partnerships Will Break Down Barriers to Higher Education

Partnership emphasizes postsecondary enrollment and success for area grads

CLEVELAND — Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) offers a seamless high school-to-college transition, providing area graduates with equal access to higher education. Launched in December 2024, the partnerships with seven local schools continue to break down barriers to applying to college.

The Direct Admission Partnership program automatically admits high school students from partner schools to Tri-C during the fall of their senior year. The College focuses on student belonging and support to deliver clear communication and streamlined processes.

"Expanding access to higher education means more than opening the door — it means walking alongside students once they arrive," said Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D., president of Tri-C. "Through our Direct Admission Partnerships, we are removing uncertainty, simplifying the process and sending a clear message to students that Tri-C is a place where they belong. That kind of support helps students persist, complete their education and move into meaningful jobs that strengthen our region's workforce."

The partnerships help graduating high school students stay on track to achieve their educational goals by:

• Simplifying the application process and removing barriers
• Providing high-touch, personalized engagement by school districts
• Empowering students and families with clear information on the college-going process, whether degree-seeking or workforce training

Seven area school districts have joined the Direct Admission Partnership:

• Cleveland Metropolitan School District (joined in 2024–2025 academic year)
• Shaker Heights School District (2024–2025)
• Richmond Heights School District (2025–2026)
• Cleveland Heights/University Heights (2025–2026)
• Warrensville Heights School District (2025–2026)
• Brooklyn High School District (2025–2026)
• Old Brook High School in Parma (2025–2026)

The initiative has already resulted in a measurable impact: the number of CMSD graduates enrolled at Tri-C increased by 47.9% in Fall 2025 compared to Fall 2024.

As a leader in direct admissions, Tri-C is part of a statewide direct admission initiative launched by the Ohio Department of Education to simplify and expand access to higher education through a pilot program for Ohio students graduating from high school in 2027.

The state's Direct Admission Program enables participating colleges and universities to proactively offer admission to eligible students from participating high schools based on reciprocal data the high school already has and extend an offer of admission without needing to apply.

"These partnerships allow us to provide meaningful support from high school through college completion," said Angela Johnson, Ed.D., vice president of Tri-C's Enrollment Management division. "By providing early admission, personalized outreach and clear guidance, students can focus on learning and career goals instead of paperwork and confusion. When students feel supported from the start, they are more likely to stay enrolled, complete their education and move forward with confidence."

May 07, 2026

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