Frances M. Franklin Scholarship Program

Frances M. Franklin Academic Alliance Scholarship Luncheon

SAVE THE DATE: 37th Annual Frances M. Franklin Scholarship and Protégé Luncheon
Friday, April 30, 2027 | 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Corporate College® East
4400 Richmond Road | Warrensville Heights, Ohio

Designed for Greatness. Empowered by Vision. Built Through Perseverance.

Join us for a celebration of scholarship, mentorship and achievement featuring three voices, three perspectives and one powerful message.

This year’s event has a special touch: An all-scholar planning committee selected the theme and three keynote speakers — a current Franklin Scholar, a mentor and a program alumnus — putting student leadership, creativity and vision at the heart of this signature celebration.

To reserve your ticket or sponsorship, Register Here by April 16.

Fueling Student Purpose, Power and Progress.

Frances M. Franklin Scholarship Program

The Frances M. Franklin Academic Alliance oversees the awarding of student scholarships through the Frances M. Franklin Scholarship Fund. The scholarship honors the memory of Frances Mason Franklin, a Cleveland educator and former Tri-C faculty member. Every spring, the Council hosts the Frances M. Franklin Scholarship Luncheon where scholarships of various amounts are awarded. Contributions to the Frances M. Franklin Scholarship Fund can be made through the Tri-C Foundation. Proceeds from these donations support the education of deserving Tri-C students.

Frances Mason Franklin, a professor of English at Tri-C from 1969 to 1983, was born in Cincinnati. She received a bachelor's degree in English in 1942 from Spelman College. Her master's degree, also in English, was granted in 1946 from Atlanta University. Franklin was recognized for her extensive knowledge of African-American literature. She began research on the subject during the 1940s, collecting archival material on Black authors and discussing their works with many of them.

Franklin attended the University of Chicago for three years for further graduate work in English and, from 1974 to 1976, was enrolled in the doctoral program of Urban Education Administration at the University of Akron. In the late 1940s and early 1950s, Franklin taught English at Spelman College, Tuskegee Institute and Fisk University. She received an Outstanding Faculty Award at Spelman College. She came to Cleveland in 1953.

The next year, she joined the Cleveland Public School System and taught English at Charles W. Elliot Junior High School. She was the chair of the English department from 1959 to 1969, when she joined the Tri-C faculty. She became the coordinator of Developmental Education and the director and academic unit leader of the Learning Center. In 1974, she received an award for Outstanding Service to the College.

Franklin was a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the International Reading Association and the Spelman Alumnae Association. She was also a member of the College Entrance Examination Board and the Junior College Test Committee and a consultant to the Ohio Board of Education in Humanities.

The scholarship honors Franklin for her tireless efforts on behalf of the many Tri-C faculty members for whom she served as a mentor. She passed away in 1983. Her only child is Carol S. Franklin, Ph.D., who recently retired from her position as the associate dean of Social Sciences at the Western Campus.

FMFAA Scholarship Descriptions

The FMFAA Legacy Scholarship celebrates students who reflect on this year's theme, "Rooted in Legacy. Rising in Purpose. Igniting Potential." Students are invited to apply and submit a creative piece — such as an essay, poem, video, speech, artwork or performance — that explores how their education shapes their purpose and the legacy they hope to build. This award recognizes thoughtful self-expression, personal growth, and the power of storytelling and will be judged according to the rubric.

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Have a minimum 2.0 GPA
Have completed 12 credit hours
Currently enrolled for at least six credit hours
Plan to attend Tri-C for the 2026–2027 academic year
Completed the 2025–2026 FAFSA (must be submitted before any awards can be awarded)
Be an active member in the FMFAA Mentoring Program (must have a current application on file before Feb. 1, 2026)
Obtain approval/advisement from a staff member of the FMFAA

Apply now!

Judging Rubric

This rubric applies equally to essays, poems, videos and artwork. Judges should evaluate each submission based on how effectively the creator communicates ideas and impact within the chosen medium.

Criteria	Excellent (4)	Good (3)	Fair (2)	Needs Improvement (1)
Relevance to Prompt	Insightful, compelling response that clearly addresses the prompt and theme of college student success, regardless of format.	Clear connection to the prompt with adequate development.	Partial or unclear connection to the prompt.	Little to no connection to the prompt; off-topic or unclear.
Organization / Composition	Well-structured and cohesive; ideas or elements flow logically and intentionally within the chosen medium.	Generally organized with minor lapses in flow or clarity.	Some organization present but inconsistent or confusing.	Disorganized or difficult to follow.
Creativity and Originality	Highly original and engaging approach; strong personal or artistic voice.	Some original elements; voice or vision are evident.	Limited originality; relies on familiar or predictable ideas.	Minimal creativity or effort demonstrated.
Impact and Engagement	Creates strong emotional or intellectual impact; holds audience attention effectively.	Message is meaningful with moderate impact.	Some impact, but message is not compelling or fully developed.	Weak impact; audience engagement is minimal.
Technical Quality	High-quality execution appropriate to the medium (clear writing, strong visuals, effective audio/video or polished artistic technique).	Minor technical issues that do not detract from understanding.	Noticeable technical issues that somewhat limit effectiveness.	Significant technical problems that interfere with understanding or engagement.

Thank you to all those who attended and supported the 36th Annual Frances M. Franklin Scholarship and Protégé Luncheon on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Corporate College East. It was a powerful celebration of student achievement, mentorship and purpose. Centered around the theme, “Rooted in Legacy. Rising in Purpose. Igniting Potential.” the event brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni and community supporters to honor excellence across the College community.

The luncheon awarded more than $60,000 in scholarships and awards while celebrating 42 Spring 2026 graduates for their academic perseverance and success.

This year’s honorees included Outstanding Mentees Joyce Tagne and Tryshawn Dantzler; Outstanding Mentors Kathy Renfro and Barbara Winston; and Creative Essay Scholarship winners Rishi Chiltte, Bria Haney and Imani Tunson, each receiving a $500 scholarship award. The 2026 Mentorship in Motion Award was presented to Sharyse Jones and student scholar Edna Goodwin in recognition of their impactful mentor-mentee relationship.

Additional honors included the presentation of the 2026 FMFAA IMPACT Award was presented to Nache Jones, Sheila Gore‑Harper, and Caroline Rado in recognition of their exemplary leadership and their significant contributions to advancing the Alliance’s mission and strengthening scholar success. Dr. Toni Pickens received our 2026 Community Impact Award in recognition of her dedicated coordination of the FMFAA Speakers Series.

The College Foundation, led by Ms. Megan O’Bryan, presented the Dr. Deborah A. Abbott Student Success Scholarship Fund, established in honor of Dr. Deborah A. Abbott to support Cleveland Metropolitan School District graduates with financial need and a preference given to graduates of East Technical High School.

Guests were further inspired by keynote speaker Dr. Ken J.A. Griffin, President and CEO of Care Health Alliance Center whose message challenged attendees to remain grounded in legacy while pursuing lives of purpose and impact. Musical selections were beautifully rendered by the Tri-C Jazz Band under the direction of Adjunct Professor Joshua Fadenholz.

Under the leadership of Ralonda Ellis-Hill, Dean of Student Affairs (Metropolitan Campus), the Alliance continues to advance student success across the College. The program is led by Program Manager Jacques O. Smith Sr. and Program Coordinator Mikki Hardwick-Lett. Special appreciation is extended to FMF Committee members: Cicley Campbell, Dr. Toni Pickens, Mikki Hardwick-Lett, Monesha Townsend, Dr. Lemuel Stewart and Jacques O. Smith, Sr., along with all College leadership, faculty, staff and volunteers whose support helped make this year’s luncheon a tremendous success.