The Cleveland Humanities Collaborative (CHC) is a partnership between Cuyahoga Community College and Case Western Reserve University charged with promoting student transfer from Tri-C to CWRU to pursue a liberal arts education through a Bachelor of Arts degree in the humanities. In addition, the program encourages and supports strengthened ties among faculty through programming and academic collaborations. The Collaborative also seeks to enrich the cultural life of northeastern Ohio through quality public programming that supports the appreciation of the humanities and its importance in nurturing engaged citizens and building strong communities.

The CHC is funded by a generous four-year $1,550,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, whose mission is to “strengthen, promote, and, where necessary, defend the contributions of the humanities and the arts to human flourishing and to the well-being of diverse and democratic societies.” Program funding supports student opportunities, including a stipend for the summer bridge program, work-study in the humanities, research funds for independent study or short-term study abroad, as well as a scaffolded network of advising and mentoring. For faculty, the CHC supports programming through CWRU’s Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, Tri-C’s Voices from the Village, the year-long work of a planning and oversight committee, and faculty involvement as dedicated advisors and mentors. In addition, the program supports a full-time program manager and administrative expenses. The goal is that over the four years the institutions can solidify a sustainable program into the future.

As students pursue their associate’s degree at Tri-C, they will be able to explore many of the humanities disciplines available as majors and minors at CWRU. They will also be able to take advantage of a longstanding cross-registration program that enables Tri-C students to take one class per semester at CWRU while paying home tuition. Once they are on track to earn their associate’s degree, students will apply to CWRU. Upon acceptance, students will become CHC Scholars and participate in a summer bridge program that will prepare them for a successful transition to the university and to SAGES, CWRU’s general education curriculum. They will also be introduced to all of CWRU’s services that promote student success. At CWRU, CHC Scholars will be integrated into humanities programs and be connected to University Circle institutions.

Tri-C and CWRU’s common commitment to the humanities can be found in the many centers and programs that support one another’s mission. At CWRU, these include the Baker-Nord Center for the Humanities, Social Justice Institute, Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence, Cleveland Humanities Festival, and active partnerships with the Cleveland Museum of Art, Western Reserve Historical Society, and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tri-C programs include the Jack, Joseph, and Morton Mandel Humanities Center, Honors College, Robert L. Lewis Academy of Scholars, and Voices from the Village. By joining these initiatives towards a common goal, CWRU and Tri-C are forging a strong partnership that will support students and ultimately, the northeastern Ohio community.