Press Release
Posted November 17, 2022

Lorain County Community College and the University Partnership received voters’ approval to continue to serve students, employers and the community through the passage of Issue 10 on the November 8 ballot. The LCCC District Board of Trustees unanimously passed a resolution of appreciation to the public during their November 17 meeting.

“Local levy support has been and continues to be critical for keeping access to higher education and training affordable and programs, services, and technology relevant to the changing job market as well as sustaining the University Partnership program,” LCCC District Board of Trustees Chairman Benjamin Fligner said. “The results from November 8 are clear; this community supports Lorain County Community College and the University Partnership to impact future generations. We take this responsibility seriously and are grateful for the community for their continued trust.”

Voters overwhelmingly supported Issue 10, with a historic passage rate of 67%, according to final, unofficial results from the Lorain County Board of Elections. The passage of Issue 10 renewed for 10 years a levy for LCCC and the University Partnership that was first approved by voters in 1995 and was last updated in 2013.

LCCC’s University Partnership began in 1996 and has expanded to deliver more than 100 bachelor’s and master’s degrees available from 15 Ohio colleges, all on the LCCC campus and at a 70% cost savings for students. The University Partnership has contributed to a 77% increase in the number of Lorain County residents with a bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, 89% of all Lorain County residents earning a bachelor’s degree since 2000 have earned college credit through LCCC.

Extending affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees to Lorain County residents builds upon LCCC’s commitment to delivery affordable, high quality associate degree, certificate and workforce training to the community. LCCC’s tuition rate is among the lowest in Ohio and the college is ranked in the top 10% most affordable colleges in the country.

In 2018, LCCC became the first college in Ohio authorized to deliver an applied bachelor’s degree in microelectronic manufacturing. A second applied bachelor’s degree, this one smart manufacturing, began in fall 2022. Like all LCCC programs, the applied bachelor’s degrees were developed with collaboration from local employers.

“Our programs are tailored to employer needs, now and in the future. That means that LCCC students graduate with the skills they need to secure local, good paying jobs,” LCCC President Marcia J. Ballinger, Ph.D., said. “The result is that 90% of LCCC graduates live and work right here in Northeast Ohio.”

Looking to the future, the Board resolved to continue to fulfill the college’s mission.

“We are humbly grateful for Lorain County voters for their support of Issue 10 and pledge to continue to lead LCCC as we create a vibrant future for all,” Fligner said.