[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 101 (Tuesday, June 14, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E615-E616]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING DR. ALEX JOHNSON

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. SHONTEL M. BROWN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 14, 2022

  Ms. BROWN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Dr. Alex 
Johnson, who will soon be retiring after nearly a decade of service as 
Cuyahoga Community College's President.
  Dr. Johnson retires a pillar of the Cleveland community. His deep 
commitment to Tri-C's students and forward-thinking leadership helped 
shape graduates who were prepared for a lifetime of success in 
Northeast Ohio.
  After becoming President of Tri-C in 2014, Dr. Johnson shared his 
vision for pushing Tri-C into the future by making degree programs, 
workforce training opportunities and personal enrichment classes more 
accessible to Northeast Ohioans. As a result, Tri-C continues to expand 
opportunity through high-quality education and skills training right 
here in the Greater Cleveland area.
  Under Dr. Johnson's leadership, Tri-C's Nursing, Creative Arts, 
Public Safety, Hospitality Management, Information Technology and 
Manufacturing programs were reorganized to provide training and 
pathways for students entering some of the most in-demand career 
fields. He also spearheaded new investments in workforce training, like 
the College's Transportation Innovation Center in Euclid, as well as 
new programs aimed at uplifting those in low-income and distressed 
areas across the region.
  During Dr. Johnson's tenure, Tri-C produced a record number of 
graduates and increased its graduation rates. It is hard to overstate 
the impact of this legacy. More students are graduating from Tri-C with 
the skills and information they need for a lifetime of success. 
Meanwhile, our workforce grows stronger thanks to the fact that around 
85 percent of Tri-C graduates stay and work in the region.
  Even in the most trying moments, Dr. Johnson's leadership proved to 
be crucial. Throughout the tumult of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Johnson 
served as a steady hand at the helm, ensuring students' continued 
success. Tri-C successfully transitioned to an on line learning and 
working environment and scaled its technology capabilities to maintain 
the school's promise to its students.
  Dr. Johnson oversaw an era of growth, adaptation, and modernization 
at Tri-C, all while remaining committed to the school's core mission of 
delivering affordable higher education, providing equitable job 
opportunities, and ensuring successful degree completion. He helped to 
forge Tri-C into a vanguard of our local community and a model for 
community colleges nationwide.
  Dr. Johnson's legacy is one of true distinction. His tenure as Tri-C 
president represents the culmination ofa 40-year career in higher 
education. Beyond his contributions in the classroom, Dr. Johnson has 
also been an active and leading member of the Cleveland community. He 
has served on various boards, including the United Way of Greater 
Cleveland, Northeast Ohio Council on Higher Education, Rock and Roll 
Hall of Fame and Museum, Ideastream, Playhouse Square, MAGNET, Team 
NEO, and the Greater Cleveland Partnership.

[[Page E616]]

  As a Tri-C graduate and the Representative for Ohio's Eleventh 
District, I deeply appreciate Dr. Johnson's extraordinary leadership, 
unparalleled vision, and lasting accomplishments. His legacy will only 
continue to grow through the countless students, teachers, and 
administrators he impacted.
  On behalf of the people of Ohio's Eleventh Congressional District, I 
would like to thank Dr. Alex Johnson for his years of service as Tri-
C's President and congratulate him on his retirement.

                          ____________________