The first community college to have a permanent campus. Acclaimed ranking as one of the Top 10% of most affordable colleges in the country. National recognition for holistic student services. Lorain County Community College’s (LCCC) milestones are many. And this year is no exception.

“We’re extremely excited that we’re celebrating our 60th graduating class,” says LCCC President Marcia Ballinger. “Our theme this year is centered on building off the past and looking to the future.”

This year graduating class is made up of 2,040 graduates who earned 2,364 degrees and certificates.

The president points with pride to the fact that, despite the pandemic, LCCC surpassed the goal cited in the college’s 10,000 Degrees of Impact Strategic Plan that was adopted in 2019: Graduate 10,000 additional students by 2025. The college exceeded that goal a year early by 744 students.

“To me,” Ballinger says, “that’s a testament to our students and to Lorain County. It’s the DNA of our residents. It’s about grit, perseverance, determination and choosing to build a better future.”

But, she adds, the focus never strays from the future.

With Vision 2025 exceeding its impact goal, LCCC is launching its next strategic planning process to continue the work of creating a more vibrant community. Through this visioning process, LCCC will continue its practice of strategic foresight and, more specifically, dive deeper into the drivers and megatrends that were accelerated during and, in many cases, because of the pandemic, including the chips and semiconductor industry. 

For more than 10 years, LCCC has been training students in semiconductors and microchips, offering certificate, associate degree and applied bachelor degree programs in microelectronic manufacturing. As the demand continues to increase for these and other related fields, Ballinger says the college will continue to develop curriculum that meets the needs of local employers.

“Lorain County Community College is the gift that Lorain County residents established in 1963 for future generations,” Ballinger reflects. “We were created by the community for the community. That’s what our legacy — and future — are all about.”