Tri-C Foundation Establishes Fran and Mike DeWine Scholarship Fund to Support Students Pursuing High-Demand Careers

Scholarship funds will help students in need pursuing credentials, building regional employers build workforce capacity

CLEVELAND (Nov. 10, 2026) — The Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C^®) Foundation is establishing the Fran and Mike DeWine Scholarship Fund for the Workforce of the Future, aimed at helping learners gain the skills and credentials needed to enter high-demand careers and helping the region’s employers build the workforce needed to grow their business.

The fund recognizes the commitment by the DeWines to Ohio's citizens, communities and economic future.

Scholarship funds are available beginning in the spring semester to Tri-C students who:

• are enrolled in a fast-track training program that will lead to a certificate or credential in a high-demand field, such as health care, information technology, manufacturing or declared major in one of Ohio’s high-demand industries.
• are an Ohio resident.
• demonstrate financial need.

"Fran and I are so grateful to the Tri-C Foundation for establishing this new scholarship fund, which aligns perfectly with our longstanding work to give every Ohio student the support they need to reach their full potential," said Governor DeWine. "With the growing demand for skilled workers across our state, this scholarship will help more students from Cuyahoga County and beyond pursue their passions, gain valuable skills, and build a brighter future for themselves and their families."

The announcement came during the Tri-C Presidential Scholarship Luncheon. The Tri-C Foundation presented the DeWines with its Presidential Legacy Award, which recognizes transformational leaders in education.

During his career as a public servant, Gov. DeWine has championed access to higher education, structured workforce preparation initiatives and the socioeconomic mobility of Ohio residents.

DeWine's direct mandate to embed work-based learning, co-ops and internships into higher education aligns with Tri-C's promise to build career-ready graduates. His administration also secured federal and state grant dollars for first-generation and low-income students. Both are demographics that Tri-C serves. DeWine's administration also expanded Ohio's College Credit Plus (CCP) dual-enrollment program to allow more high school students in grades 7–12 to earn tuition-free college credit in high-demand career and technical fields.

"The Governor and First Lady have opened many doors for Ohioans at different stages of life," said Howard L. Lewis, chair of Tri-C Foundation Board of Directors. "Governor DeWine has championed many investments in Ohio’s community colleges — including Tri-C — so that students can build the valuable skills employers need. Fran DeWine helped make early literacy resources available statewide, including championing Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library so all Ohio children could participate."

About the Tri-C Foundation
The Tri-C Foundation provides financial resources to advance student success at the College and transform the lives of those Tri-C serves. Through the continuous generosity of business partners, corporations, organizations, friends and alumni, the Foundation provides critical scholarship support to eliminate financial barriers for many outstanding students and funds program development and enhancement efforts to ensure educational excellence.

With support from the Foundation and its donors, Tri-C provided $6.5 million in scholarships to 3,930 learners in 2025-2026, the most ever in a single academic year.

November 10, 2026

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