News
The board of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation has approved a five-year grant up to $1.4 million to establish and support the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Youth Humanities Academy at Cuyahoga Community College.
The academy will offer high schoolers entering their junior and senior years an opportunity to broaden their humanities education during a nine-week summer session. Students will explore material in subjects including art, religion, literature and philosophy.
Expected to see its first 30-student cohort in summer 2022, the academy will initially focus on students from districts in Cleveland and its inner-ring suburbs, including East Cleveland, Maple Heights, Parma and Warrensville Heights.
The program will be based at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Humanities Center, located at Tri-C’s Eastern Campus, but students will frequently travel to locations such as the Cleveland History Center, local cinemas and other colleges and universities to engage with hands-on exhibits, watch and discuss films, and dialogue with area scholars.
“The Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Youth Humanities Academy is a unique opportunity for rising high school juniors and seniors to deepen their understanding of the humanities and prepare for college-level academic work,” said Alex Johnson, president of Cuyahoga Community College.
During their participation in the academy, students will receive transportation and a weekly stipend. Matthew Jordan, dean of the Mandel Humanities Center, notes the stipend will allow participants to focus on academy curriculum and activities without the demands of a summer job.
Students will reap the benefits of participation far beyond the nine-week summer session.
“Mandel Youth Humanities Academy students will have numerous opportunities throughout the academic year to connect with Tri-C’s Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Scholars Academy,” Jordan said. “We hope that many of them will choose to continue their studies as Tri-C Mandel Scholars.”
About the Organization
Founded in 1963 as Ohio’s first community college, Tri-C has provided high-quality, affordable education and programs to more than 1.2 million community members. More than 1,000 credit courses are offered each semester in more than 200 career and technical programs. Tri-C also grants short-term certificates, certificates of proficiency and post-degree professional certificates. As the largest community college, Tri-C serves students at four campuses and at numerous off-campus sites strategically located throughout the county.
