LCCC to cut three degree programs, combine several others after review

According to a 2025 program review report, Lorain County Community College will phase out three degree programs in coming semesters, look to combine 10 existing programs into four new associate degree programs and transition nine more existing degree programs into certificate programs. The report also said that the college has added 13 new degree and certificate programs over the past three years. The changes are outlined in the college's 2025 program review report, which comes at the close of LCCC's regular review process for programs and degrees, which is required by law. Many community colleges across the state have been forced to cut courses due to a new state requirement — enacted as part of the Ohio Senate Bill 1 state budget bill — which requires public college and university courses that average fewer than five graduates per year be cut. This impact was on display nearby as Cuyahoga County College, also known as Tri-C, was forced to cut 30 programs this year, according to Cleveland.com. At LCCC though, only three programs will be phased out. Tracey Green, vice president of strategic and institutional development, said that the college's existing review process already often phases out courses that fall under what the state now requires. "Our process aligned pretty well already with what came out of the state," Green said. "Our process incorporated what the state added this year, but because we've had a very rigorous process that looks at student interest and labor market needs and outcomes … we were in a good position. There wasn't an extensive amount of (programs) that were cut just because of the new rules this year." She said that the new state rules "added a layer" to the college's existing review process, but it was difficult for her to tell whether the programs being phased out would have had a different fate without the new regulations. Under state law, community colleges must report a program review to the state at least once every three years, but Green said that LCCC reviews its programs on an annual basis, taking into account both student interest and feedback from local employers about what they need from new workers. "We have a very rigorous schedule; we're not waiting those three years," Green said. "We are analyzing data — especially labor market data — on an annual basis and engaging employers through what is called a 'built model,' which is essentially an employer advisory board, for our program two or three times a year. Yes, formally we have to submit this every three years and it has to be in compliance with new state additions, but this is a living, breathing process that we have on our campus." The programs being phased out are a major in blockchain engineering technology, a major in digital fabrications technology and a program on computer games and simulation design. Students in those programs will be able to complete their degrees, but the college will not be enrolling any new students, rendering the programs eliminated after current students graduate. For all three programs, Green said that parts of the coursework were still both of interest to students and important for students to learn, so elements of the courses would still be taught. "There is just this convergence of technology, and even in blockchain and digital fabrication, that doesn't mean we won't have coursework and learning outcomes that embrace those, it's just the way in which they are delivered in a degree program has significantly changed," Green said. "You see that even in some of the earlier programs, where we have ones that are being integrated together. What stuck out to me in this report versus previous reports; jobs and employers are looking for skillsets that cross over multiple disciplines." This integration of disciplines is driving the college to combine 10 existing degree programs into just four new degree programs starting this year. A new multicraft industrial maintenance technician associate degree program will be created through the combination of four associate of applied sciences, or AAS, degree programs. The college is also proposing three new associate degree programs, each of which will come from the combination of two existing programs. The proposed programs are hospitality and tourism management associate of applied business degree, a construction technology associate of applied science degree and a manufacturing engineering technology — mechanical design/computer-aided machining associate of applied science degree. Nine other programs will no longer have a separate degree program, but they will be maintained as certificate programs and converted into pathways toward an associate of technical studies degree. These changing programs are: business forensics investigations, computer and digital forensics, general studies, health and wellness coaching and promotion, quality assurance, medical assisting-administrative focus, sustainable agriculture, teacher education — transfer program and welding technology. Green said that the regularity with which LCCC updates its curriculum and programs serves both to help students find jobs and to power the local economy by ensuring its new workers are qualified and experienced. The curriculum that (students) are getting from Lorain County Community College makes them ready even before they graduate," Green said. "Their learning skills they can immediately apply in those internship opportunities with employers. It is a very dynamic process where the students win, the employers win and the community wins, because that's how we keep our economy strong." Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.