Speakers

A President With Purpose and Proven Impact

Michael A. Baston, J.D., Ed.D., leads Tri-C with a clear mission: To turn potential into progress andensure every student — regardless of background — has the tools to build a better life. As presidentof Ohio's oldest and largest community college, serving nearly 40,000 students annually, Bastonhas delivered results that resonate beyond the classroom and into the fabric of Northeast Ohio.Transforming Lives Through Student SuccessIn just three years under Baston's leadership, more than 10,000 students have graduated fromcredit and noncredit programs — a 10.4% increase in completions. His student-centered approachhas propelled Tri-C's credit enrollment up by 13.2%, defying national trends of declining communitycollege enrollment. Today, Tri-C boasts a 50% increase in delayed-entry students and an 18.7% risein College Credit Plus enrollment — clear indicators of Baston's success in re-engaging adultlearners and building momentum for high school students alike.

Guiding Students From Access to Achievement

Baston has championed pathways that bridge education and employment — a strategy that'spaying off. Within a year of completing their programs, 93.8% of credit students and 98.1% ofnoncredit students had either entered the workforce, continued their education, or pursuedadvanced credentials. These graduates are entering high-opportunity fields such as health care, ITand skilled trades, demonstrating Tri-C's powerful return on mission and investment.

Building a College That Builds the Economy

A tireless innovator, Baston has overseen the development of 24 new employer-aligned programssince 2022 in high-growth sectors, such as advanced manufacturing, clean energy, health care andAI. Through extensive partnerships with local businesses and public agencies, Tri-C is powering theregion's talent pipeline and positioning itself as a hub for 21st-century workforce development.

Mobilizing Investment in Education

Under his leadership, Tri-C has raised a record-breaking $65.5 million in philanthropic and publicinvestment in just three years. These funds have supported program expansion, scholarships andessential wraparound services that keep students on track to succeed. With a 20% growth inendowed assets and 16 new endowment funds created, Baston has secured lasting resources tosupport Tri-C's mission.

Innovating for Impact

Before joining Tri-C, Baston served as the president of Rockland Community College in New Yorkduring the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid national uncertainty, he provided steadyleadership, prioritizing access, safety and recovery. He led the College's pivot to remote learning,sustained enrollment and continued serving one of the region's most diverse student populations.His tenure was marked by resilience, innovation and a deep commitment to keeping students ontrack despite extraordinary challenges.

Originally trained as an attorney representing educational and nonprofit organizations, Bastondiscovered his true calling in higher education leadership. At LaGuardia Community College, wherehe served as the vice president for Student Affairs and associate provost, he helped createprograms that removed obstacles and improved student outcomes.

National Leadership With Local Commitment

Baston is a respected national voice in community college reform, serving on the boards of theNational Association for Community College Entrepreneurship (NACCE) and the League forInnovation in the Community College and as a fellow with Complete College America. Locally, heserves on more than a dozen boards, including the Greater Cleveland Partnership, United Way ofGreater Cleveland, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Team NEO, Playhouse Square, DowntownCleveland Alliance, Downtown Cleveland Inc., Unify Jobs/Unify Labs, the American Red Cross ofNorthern Ohio, and Bluecoats Inc. He is also a member of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland'sCommunity Advisory Council and a graduate of the Cleveland Leadership Center's LeadershipCleveland Class of 2024, contributing to the civic and economic vitality of the region.

Recognized Leader, Relentless Advocate

Baston has been honored by Crain's Cleveland Business, the NAACP and the Southern ChristianLeadership Conference, among others. But his true reward is impact. When students succeed,communities grow. That is the future Baston is working to build — one student, one credential andone opportunity at a time.

Personal and Educational Background

Baston earned his B.A. from Iona University, his J.D. from Brooklyn Law School and his Ed.D. inExecutive Leadership from St. John Fisher University. He is married to Dr. Tasha S. Baston.